Aya

Emily’s POV

My whole body melted in his arms after we spent the afternoon tangled in bed, skipping lunch. I ached in the best way; every inch of me felt wanted, safe, and impossibly close to him. It was worth it.

Nolan worshipped my body. Every touch of his fingers sent electricity over my skin, leaving trails of heat pulsing beneath the surface. His hands, so devoted as they explored me, kindled every nerve ending and made my breath catch, my heart wild in my chest. I felt cherished, alive. His lips traced sensitive places, his breath warm and tantalizing against me. Desire pooled in my core, building a gentle ache, as if I floated in a haze that was all him. I surrendered, mind floating in the glow of his closeness. Even as I drifted off, aftershocks of pleasure shimmering through me, a strange dream pressed in.

 Emily, a voice called. I need you.

"Who are you?" I asked. "What do you want from me?"

"I'm Aya, your wolf. I am a part of you, always meant to be with you, even if you can’t remember. When you were hurt, I was hurt too, but now I’m almost recovered," the voice replied.

"I have no memories," I told her, sad.

"You need to help me, and I will help you…" Aya answered.

"How? Tell me…" I pleaded. Then I turned my face to see Domus, and I screamed.

"Emily, look at me," Nolan’s voice came through my foggy dream.

I opened my eyes and looked around. "You’re safe, I’m here," Nolan said.

"Nolan, can I tell you something?" I asked.

"You know you can. You always say what’s on your mind, never hide anything from me," Nolan replied.

He was right, I told him everything, whether he wanted to hear it or not. Nolan was a good listener during our walk in the woods when we ate berries. I smiled at the memory, feeling the present moment drift into the past and back again.

"Emily?" Nolan prompted softly.

"What?" I said, lost in thought. "Oh, I remembered the time we ate the berries, and we almost puked."

"You almost puked," he said, chuckling. "Now tell me about your dream."

"Her name is Aya, and she said she’s my wolf and I need to help her." Nolan stiffened. His jaw tensed, and for a moment, he looked away, as if weighing my words. I could see a flicker of worry in his eyes, the way his hands suddenly curled tighter around the edge of the blanket. Then he let out a slow breath, steadying himself, trying to keep his voice calm when he finally spoke.

"This is great, your wolf is there, we just need to…" Nolan said.

"Nolan, I don’t know how to help her. I have no memories, and as I was talking to her, Domus came into my dream," I admitted.

"I need to find out who this Domus is and why he is haunting you," Nolan growled.

"I also want to tell you…Nolan, I’m so happy with you," I said.

His eyes softened as he looked at me. "You know I was afraid to ask, because you were sorting your feelings and hormones…." Nolan admitted.

"Please don’t even say his name," I said. "Then again, I made a mistake…" I choked back the tears.

"Emily," he said, taking me against him, "I am here for you, and when you’re ready, then we'll talk about it."

I nodded. "Let’s take a shower and then go eat dinner," I said.

After we cleaned up, we walked to the dining area, which was already full. Nolan’s eyes found Dennis and the group of wolves at a table not far from us.

Henry sat down. "Hello, young people, how are you?" he greeted us.

"What can you tell me about someone named Domus?" Nolan asked. Henry dropped the fork on the plate.

"Stay away from that man. Evil incarnate, violent. Has a settlement, proud of himself, built on the spilled blood," Henry said.

"Do tell me everything," Nolan said.

Henry shook his head. "Not here. We need to meet somewhere outdoors, and I will tell you everything I know," he said.

"Emily, eat some more," Nolan told me, but my eyes were closing. I was exhausted and mentally tired.

I longed for my memories—for my wolf, so I could tell Nolan that he is the only one who really matters. I had clung to Hunter's promises for so long, blind to what our relationship truly became. My first love betrayed me, leaving me broken and lost. Now, Hunter stands between me and the peace I desperately want with Nolan.

"Okay, I’m taking you back, and I want you to rest. After I talk to Henry, I'll join you," Nolan said. He kissed my forehead.

Later, back in our room, Nolan tucked me in like a child. As I closed my eyes, the dream was back, more vivid than ever.

"Emily, let me get control. He is catching up to us," Aya said to me. Then she bolted, with all her strength, her white paws muddy as they sank into the slippery terrain.

"Run, Emily." I heard a man’s voice. "Run, sister, I will find you."

Then he appeared close to us, Domus. Aya was growling with her teeth bared.

"I won’t hurt you, come back," he said, his dark eyes fixed on me. He took a step, and the land gave in; I tumbled down over and over, screaming. My ribs hurt, then we hit something hard. Darkness.

"Shhhh," I heard Nolan's voice, felt his arms around me, and his scent seeping inside me, calming me. I kissed his arm and drifted off again.