Chapter 10
I raise my eyes to meet his, observing his face. He looks both anxious and hopeful, and I want to be considerate with my answer. “I haven’t really made up my mind. With you, I can’t claim to be instantly in love, but I can’t ignore the pull I feel toward you. I barely know you, yet being with you makes me feel secure, and I want to spend more time learning about you.”
Hearing this, Elijah’s expression brightens. “You have no idea how much that means to me. It’s your
turn.”
I glance down at the chessboard, realizing I hadn’t noticed his last move-I was too absorbed in looking at him. “Earlier, you mentioned sensing that I was restless. What did you mean by that?”
Elijah touches his chin thoughtfully. “When two people are mates, it’s common to pick up on each other’s emotions. The connection strengthens after you mark each other, but sometimes you can sense it even before then. At first, I couldn’t tell for sure if what I was feeling was you, so I decided to check on you. The moment you appeared at my door, I immediately recognized your emotions as the ones I was sensing.”
“I wish I could experience emotions the way you do. It’s a bit challenging for me to really grasp everything,” I admit. Part of me feels a slight pang of sadness that I don’t share the same bond Elijah seems to have. If our relationship progresses, I worry I’ll never quite reach his level. Still, I recognize that this distance helps me stay more grounded.
“Don’t try to force anything,” Elijah responds gently as he takes his turn. “Let your feelings grow at their own pace. I’ll be here, waiting.”
His words make me smile softly; it’s just what I need to hear. If he had pushed me even a little, I know myself enough to realize I’d probably have run away from all of this. Refocusing on the chessboard, I move a piece and say, “Check.”
Elijah arches his eyebrows. “So much for being out of practice. I think I just got played.”
I can’t help but smirk. “Or maybe you’re not as skilled as you thought?”
“We’ll find out which of us will win,” he says, deftly countering my move and putting my queen in danger.
The match goes back and forth for a while, with each of us putting the other in check, but neither is able to seal the game with a checkmate. I yawn, finally feeling fatigue set in. Propping my elbow on the table, I rest my head in my hand.
“Perhaps we should pick this up another time,” Elijah suggests, and I can feel his gaze on me.
I shake my head, trying to fight off sleep. “I’m okay.” Deep down, I know that’s not true, but I don’t want to show any weakness.
“You look like you’re about to keel over,” Elijah laughs. “Come on, let’s get you back to your room.”
Again, I shake my head. “I don’t want to go back there. It’s lonely.”
Elijah tilts his head slightly. “Why not rest in my bed instead?”
“Alright.” I don’t have the strength to argue. I get up, feeling a bit wobbly. Elijah walks with me to the bed and waits as I climb in. He pulls the blanket over me while I settle down. The scent of his sheets is
H
comforting.
He kisses my forehead. “Sleep well.” As he starts to leave, I quickly catch his arm.
“You don’t have to go.” I’m too exhausted to argue with myself; I just want his presence.
Elijah sits down on the bed. “I can stay right here in a chair until you drift off.”
“No.” I pull down the blanket and give his arm a gentle tug. “Stay here with me.”
“Are you certain?”
In response, I just pull him closer. He gives in, lying down beside me. He’s careful to keep some distance, but I can still feel his warmth. With him so near, I relax even more, and soon, I’m fast asleep.
“You’re letting him in,” a voice murmurs in my ear. I instantly recognize it as Amelia.
I glance around and immediately recognize the surroundings. Once again, I find myself in this bizarre dream world. Behind me stands Amelia, the jet-black wolf I’ve come to know. I begin to feel a growing sense of ease in this place. It seems as though I’m asleep, yet deep inside I sense this is more than just a dream.
“Where are we?” I inquire.
“We’re in the subconscious. This is the only realm where the three of us can communicate,” Amelia responds, taking a seat beside me.
“The three of us? Who’s the third?” I faintly recall hearing another voice the last time I visited this place.
“You two haven’t had a conversation before, but she’s been waiting here for you to find her,” Amelia cl arifies.
My gaze sweeps the area, but all I see is an endless expanse of white. “Why haven’t I met her before? Who is she?”
“That’s something you’ll have to ask her directly.” With that, Amelia rises and starts to walk away.
I attempt to go after her, but she quickly picks up speed. I try to match her pace, but as a human, I can’t keep up. “Amelia!” I call, but my wolf companion ignores me and keeps running until she vanishes from sight.
Breathless, I come to a halt. There’s nowhere to go; everything looks exactly the same. “Hello?” I shout, my voice reverberating through the strange expanse.
“Hello, my dear.” The voice is familiar, wise, and soothing, but I can’t recall the face behind it.
“Who are you? Why won’t you reveal yourself to me?” I ask, scanning the area, but I remain alone.
“You have buried me deep within your unconscious mind. I can’t appear just yet.”
I continue to search, hoping that if I just look hard enough, someone will materialize. “What do I need to do to set you free?”
“Uncover the truth about your birth, and you will release me from my confinement.”
“How am I supposed to do that?” I ask, but receive no reply. “Are you still here?” Silence greets me. The solitude of the empty room settles in again. I want to leave. The loneliness is overwhelming.
I want to wake up. I pinch my arm, but nothing changes. “Hello?” I call out once more, but still, there is
no answer.
