Six

CHAPTER 6 – Something That Shakes My Soul

I woke up gasping for air, cold sweat soaking my temples. Morning light filtered through the apartment curtains, but the strange sensation in my palm still felt real—warm, as if last night a giant wolf had truly touched me. I stared at my palm for a long time, hoping to find any trace. But, of course, there was nothing.

I sat at the edge of the bed, hugging my knees, trying to calm my mind. That dream… or maybe it wasn’t just a dream? I could remember the details clearly: the forest, the moonlight, those golden eyes looking at me with recognition and longing. And that voice—“Finally, you’re home.”

I took a small journal from the nightstand drawer, writing down everything I could remember. For the past few days, I had been writing about my strange dreams, hoping to find a pattern or explanation. But the more I wrote, the more it all seemed to make less sense.

My phone vibrated. Dr. Hayes messaged me asking if I would be coming to the clinic earlier.I replied briefly and then headed to the shower to get ready for the day. I hoped that sticking to my usual routine might help settle my nerves.

When I arrived, the clinic was still peaceful. The air carried a blend of antiseptic and fresh coffee. Dr. Hayes was in the administrative office, focused on his computer while sipping his coffee.

“Good morning, Aria. Are you okay?” he asked, turning toward me with genuine concern in his eyes.

I paused briefly before taking a seat across from him. “Dr. Hayes… can I talk to you about something a bit… strange?”

He smiled warmly. “Of course, Aria. I’m used to strange things in Silverwood.”

I took a deep breath, then started to tell him about the dreams that were becoming more frequent and vivid—about the golden-eyed wolf, about the strange feeling in my palm, and about the voice calling me in the woods. I even told him about the connection I felt to Kael—though I mentioned that part cautiously.

Dr. Hayes listened patiently, never interrupting. When I finished, he set down his coffee cup and looked at me seriously.

“Aria, sometimes Silverwood brings us face to face with things beyond logic. I believe some people really do have… heightened sensitivity to the unseen world. Especially if you’ve felt it since you were a child.”

I looked down, wringing my fingers. “But why is it getting stronger now? Why does it feel like something is… calling me?”

Dr. Hayes sighed deeply. “Maybe because you’re finally in the ‘right’ place. Sometimes, the environment can awaken parts of ourselves that have long been dormant. And about Kael—I can’t tell you much, but trust me, he’s fighting his own secrets too.”

I nodded slowly, feeling a bit lighter. “So I’m not crazy?”

He chuckled softly. “No, Aria. You’re just… special. And maybe, it’s time you accept that side of yourself.”

Before I could ask more, a knock at the front door made us both turn. I peeked into the front room—and there was Kael, looking tired but with eyes full of longing.

My heart immediately pounded again. It seemed this morning was about to get even stranger than usual.

Kael was waiting for me outside the clinic, standing beneath a maple tree, hands in his jacket pockets. His face looked weary, but his eyes—those gray eyes that always left me breathless—held something deep. Longing, worry, and something I’d never seen before.

“I want to talk, Aria. Will you walk with me for a bit?” his voice was soft but full of plea.

I nodded. We walked along the sidewalk toward a small park at the edge of the Silverwood forest, letting the morning quiet envelop us. Birds chirped, dew still clung to the grass, and the scent of damp earth soothed my mind—a little.

After a few minutes of silent walking, I finally gathered the courage to speak. “Kael… I want to be honest. I… I saw something last night. Or maybe I dreamed it. I saw a huge golden-eyed wolf in the woods, and it felt… so real. Even now, I can still feel its touch on my hand.”

Kael stopped walking. He looked at me, jaw clenched, as if holding back something heavy.

“I know this sounds crazy,” I continued, my voice trembling. “But I also feel… connected to you. Since the first time we met, everything felt different. Intense. Sometimes I’m scared, Kael. I’m afraid I’m losing my mind.”

Kael stepped closer, only a few paces between us. “You’re not crazy, Aria.” His voice was low, almost trembling. “What you feel… I feel it too. Since the first time I saw you, something inside me… awakened. Something that’s been asleep for a long time.”

I looked into his eyes, searching for the truth there. “Kael, what’s really happening to me? What’s really happening in Silverwood?”

Kael took a long breath, looking down for a moment before meeting my gaze again. “There’s a lot I want to tell you, but… I’m afraid. I’m afraid if I’m honest, you’ll hate me. Or worse, you’ll get hurt because of me.”

I laced my fingers together, trying to calm my shaking hands. “Kael, I just want the truth. I’m so tired of being alone and constantly wondering.”

All at once, Kael moved even closer, closing the gap between us until our faces were mere inches apart. He lifted his hand, paused uncertainly, then gently rested it against my cheek. The contact sent a rush of energy through me.

“I want to keep you safe, Aria. More than anything,” he whispered. “But I also need to be honest with you. The problem is… I’m afraid of losing you.”

For a brief moment, it felt as if time itself stood still. I could feel his warm breath on my face. My heart pounded wildly, and I knew that if I moved just a little, our lips would touch.

But Kael held himself back. He lowered his hand, looking at me with eyes full of regret and restrained longing. “I’m sorry. I… I have to go for a bit. There’s something I need to handle at the ranch. But I promise, Aria. I’ll start being honest with you. I won’t run anymore.”

I nodded, though my heart was still full of questions. “I’ll wait, Kael.”

He looked at me once more as if memorizing every detail of my face, then turned and walked away, leaving me beneath the tree, my heart filled with hope—and fear.

I stood under the tree for a long time after Kael left, letting the cold morning air wash over my face. My chest still felt tight, as if my whole body had just weathered an invisible storm.

How could I feel something this deep, this quickly? I hadn’t even known Kael for more than a few days. But every time he looked at me, every time he touched me—even just a brush—something inside me crumbled and burned at the same time. It felt like I’d known him long before we truly met.

This doesn’t make sense, Aria, I scolded myself. You just moved here; you’re not even fully healed from your past wounds. Why are you falling so easily for someone who’s practically a stranger?

But that logic was lost to something stronger—a primal, mysterious, undeniable pull. Every time Kael was near, the rest of the world seemed to disappear. I could feel the pulse of life beneath my skin, something I’d never felt before. And when he said he wanted to protect me, I believed him even if I didn’t fully understand what he was.

I walked home to my apartment slowly, still lost in inner turmoil. Every memory of Kael—his gaze, his raspy voice, the warm touch on my cheek—spun in my head, making me even more confused. I wanted to fight these feelings, to hold back until I was sure. But the more I tried, the more entangled I became.

When I reached my apartment door, I stopped in my tracks. Something was strange at my door. A strange symbol had been scratched onto the nameplate—a circle with claw-like lines and, below it, a burnt wolf’s fur.

My heart pounded hard. Fear crawled up my throat. Who did this? What does it mean?

With trembling hands, I took a photo of the symbol with my phone. I looked around, searching for any sign of someone else, but the street was empty. Only the wind whispered through the trees, carrying a faint scent of smoke and something darker.

I knew this wasn’t a coincidence. There was a message behind this symbol—a warning or maybe a threat. And somehow, I felt it was all connected to Kael, to my dreams, and to the secrets that had always hidden behind Silverwood’s nights.

I entered my apartment, breathing hard and locking the door tightly. For the first time since coming to this town, I truly felt unsafe. But beneath that fear, there was one thing for sure: I could no longer deny my feelings for Kael, no matter how strange or how quickly they had grown.