She is standing in her old home again. the one that burned years ago.
The walls are whole. The fire never touched them here. Moonlight falling through the cracked windows, painting soft silver on the dusty floor. Everything is quiet yet Reina could hear the whispers of the night.
Raina turns and her breath catches. Her mother was standing in the doorway watching her. As if she was doing something immoral.
She looked just as Raina remembers: tall, fierce, her hair a halo of dark curls, eyes like storm clouds—haunted, knowing. But something is wrong. Her feet don't touch the ground. Her face is pale, almost too perfect, like carved porcelain.
"Mama?" Raina whispers.
The ghost of her mother steps forward. Her voice is like wind through dry leaves.
*"Don't mate, Raina." her hands came to shoulders, digging the nails deeper than the child could bear. Riena wanted to take a step back but the grip did not let her. She felt like bleeding but her mother's eyes scared her more.
"The bond will not save you. It will shatter you."
Raina steps back, heart pounding. "What are you talking about?"
But her mother's image flickers, her mouth trembling like she's trying to say more—but can't. Her lips part, and blood spills from them instead of words. Before Reina could shrek, the scenery in front of her changed.
The room begins to crumble and suddenly, she's in the woods.
Soft moonlight filters through the trees. The air is warm and softly caresses her skin. Callen is there, smiling at her like he always does, his golden eyes full of promises he hasn't spoken yet.
His hands find hers, and warmth floods her chest.
"You're mine," he murmurs. "No matter what they say."
She closes her eyes, heart fluttering, as he lowers his head. She feels his breath on her neck. Then—sharp heat. His mark burns into her skin.
It should feel beautiful.
Instead, it feels wrong.
The forest around them shifts. Grows colder.
She opens her eyes just as Callen pulls away, smiling.
Then, He gasps.
Cracks split across his skin like porcelain.
"Rai…" he chokes, voice distant.
She reaches for him, but it's too late. His body crumbles into ash in her arms, scattering on the wind like dust.
The moon above turns red.
And from the darkness, another presence stirs. Watching.
She turns and sees him. The man from the shadows. Red eyes glowing like coals. She can't see his face, but she knows his name.
Luca.
And then she wakes up choking on ash that isn't really there, the ghost of her mother's warning echoing in her ears. Her body was covered with cold sweat and her breath was erratic.
"Don't mate, Raina…" the voices echoed and she covered her ears with her hands.
"No! It was all a dream. I will not kill him. I will not kill anyone. I meant to save lives." she fell on the bed again and stared at the ceiling as she repeated the words a few times.
When the door knocked Reina had already taken a bath and was ready to tend to patients.
But Tamra was not standing at her door. Callen was standing there with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
"I have brought a new car." he grinned and she stared at him. She was not staring at him. But searching for the signs of fading. As if she was waiting for him to turn into dust in front of her.
Her pulse fell and he frowned. He snapped his fingers in front of her.
"Elara.. What are you thinking about?" he looked at her pale face with worry as she gaped.
"I.. nothing. I was thinking about something else." he leaned on the door, her knees giving away.
"Elara.." he walked closer worried. The flowers fell on the ground as he held her by her shoulder and one hand splayed on her back. "Can you walk or should I carry you?"
Elara took a breath, two and then three until she opened her eyes again and smiled at him.
"I am fine. You are worrying too much." he looked at her concerned but still nodded.
"Umm" he looked at the fallen bouquet and felt lost for a second. "I bought them for you and wanted to ask would you like to go for a movie and then dinner in the human city? They have quit the entertaining places you know." Elara had lived with humans for a long time. Yet, the way he asked her looked so adorable that she smiled and nodded.
"Great!" his eyes beamed. "We will spend all day together and maybe… my luck gives me more chances." he licked her lips and she looked away.
"Wait! You do not need to be here? I heard the alpha of shadowborn is coming tonight." he stiffened for a second. His eyes lickred but the emotion was gone before she could catch it.
"I am not the beta yet. And you are not a permanent member of the pack yet. No one notices if you are there or not." as they descended stairs, she noticed Tamara smiling at them and she sighed.
She did not need to be told that Tamara had arranged it. But after her dream, she was grateful that the old physician did it for her.
She saw the new Bentley parked and slipped inside. He started the car and held her hand with his other hands. He plated with the ring in her finger as he drove.
"You know, this is our first date." she paused, her eyes cracking. "I want it to be special." he winked at her and she laughed, shaking her head.
The music was soothing and for once she wanted to forget about her dreams and the demon hunting her.
"You can sleep for a while if you want to. I will wake you up when we reach there." he offered only for her to stiffen.
"No! I am fine. I do not want to sleep at all."