Page 50 of Wolf's Redemption

"Cathy, are you okay?" the voice of Eric echoed in my ear like a whisper making my hair stand on end.

Blinking while opening my eyes, I found myself standing in the middle of the forest, looking around bewildered. But my perspective was different, my senses more acute. The hunger and agony present within me made me realize this wasn’t my body, and feeling her fears as well made it clearer. My throat hurt, and the undoubtable taste of blood flooded my mouth, and despite shivering out of fear, I wasn’t able to move as if I was rooted to the ground.

"Help!" I screamed, feeling my throat tearing and the taste of blood intensifying in my mouth. "Please help me." It wasn't me saying the words, but it felt like it. Somehow, I felt connected to this person on a level I couldn't explain. I felt her desperation, her longing to flee, and how those bindings sucked the vitality out of her.

"Cathy, wake up," Eric shouted, and I felt as if I was being forcibly ripped from the body I was inhabiting.

I sighed out all the air I was holding and began to gasp as my heart pounded uncontrollably. I opened my eyes, and he was lying on the bed looking straight into my eyes with wide eyes and his pulse pounding.

"Are you okay?" he asked me.

I was completely covered in sweat, my throat felt dry, and I was short of breath.

"Yes, I think so," I replied, sitting up with his help. "I had a very strange dream."

"A nightmare, I'd say," he said, wiping the sweat from my forehead with the palm of his hand, and for the first time, my body heat was so high that I didn't feel his so embracing. "When I woke up, your face was red, and you were holding your breath. I tried to wake you up, but you didn't respond, are you ok?" he asked one last time with concern. I nodded, confused.

I took a deep breath and looked vaguely at his disorganized desk until I noticed the time and snapped out of my trance.

"Shit! It's late. Your mother must be waiting for me," I said.

"If you want, you can shower here," he offered.

"I don't have any clothes here," I said and got out of bed hurriedly, grabbing my belongings. "I really have to get going, sorry," I finished giving him a soft kiss and walked out of the room straight to my room.

I went into the bathroom and took a shower in automatic mode as if my body was doing everything, but I was somehow absent from thinking about that strange dream. I felt as if doubt was gnawing at my insides, and a piercing sound was pounding in my head.

I dressed in simple clothes, and when I came out, Eric was waiting for me, dressed in a black suit, with square sunglasses and a gold wristlet.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay after the scare you gave me in the morning," he said. "Let me walk you to the lab."

He took me by the hand and led me down the corridor. It felt very natural, as if that was the right order of things. His hand fit in mine. His touch was gentle, and I felt the butterflies in my stomach flutter in harmony, giving me a warm feeling.

Eric opened the door for me. "See you later," he said.

"You're not staying?" I asked.

"I'd love to more than anything in the world, but no. I have a business to attend to with my father that can't wait," he commented without elaborating. And he gave me a subtle kiss on the cheek and said goodbye to his mother with a smile.

Lydia was sitting at the desk already with her lab coat and glasses on, playing candy crush on her cell phone at full volume.

"I'm so sorry to keep you waiting. I..."

Lydia raised an eyebrow, set the cell phone aside, and looked at me with a serene expression. "Is there something going on between you two?"

I felt a lump in my throat, one of the things I had been dreading the most just happened. Having to accept in front of other people my feelings.

"Yes, we are in a relationship," I told her, and it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.

My mind stopped wandering, and I rooted myself in the present, waiting for the answer from the Night Pack's Luna.

Lydia immediately softened her face and let out a smile.

"It was about time," she said. "I'm glad you finally decided to give each other a chance."

I blushed with embarrassment, that was not at all the reaction I expected from her, but it was sweet to see her so excited.