That thing is going to kill every one of us

Vera

"Victor Blackwood."

The two men clasp hands, and that's the final thing I catch before I'm yanked away into another vision. Except this time, I know exactly what I'm looking at. This is happening now. I can see familiar wolves from our pack scattered along the northern border, heavily guarded and alert.

Then I spot it. A massive shape lurking at the edge of my sight. Calling it a wolf would be laughable. This thing is a monster, something stitched together from nightmares. Like one of those ancient chimeras from old stories. Its bulk alone makes your blood run cold, and the way its jaws work, snapping and gnashing like some enormous lion, tells me everything I need to know. This is a creature built for one purpose. Killing.

It's moving toward our line, and not a single wolf seems to notice. How the hell can they not see this thing? It's right there!

The beast picks up speed and slams straight into our wolves. Their howls of agony rip through me, and I'm screaming before I can stop myself.

"Look out! It's right there in front of you!"

Nobody hears me. Not one of them turns. My gut clenches with pure desperation. This has to be the same creature that went after Noah and his friends. I'm useless standing here. I spin around and sprint toward the pack house, pushing my legs as hard as they'll go.

If I can get back to my body, I can warn them. I can save them.

I make it to the pack house quicker than I expected. Maybe being in this form makes me faster. I take the stairs two at a time up to the clinic, trying to figure out where they would've put me. The last thing I remember is being with Eli. That's where I'll start.

Eli and Lucas are in their beds, talking in low voices. Noah isn't here. My body isn't here either.

Come on, Vera. Think. Where else would they have taken me?

I head to the nurse's station, praying I'll find my chart. When I get there, nothing. No chart. No record of me. Panic crawls up my throat again. We don't keep charts on dead people.

I keep moving, climbing to the second floor. The morgue records are up here. If I'm actually dead, I'll find proof.

As I pass the MRI room, something makes me stop. I sniff the air. Noah's scent. No mistaking it. I follow the trail, knowing in my gut that if I'm still alive, he hasn't left my side this whole time.

I walk into the room, and there I am. My body, hooked up to machines, wires everywhere. Noah is asleep next to me, curled on his side with one arm wrapped around me like he's guarding me even in sleep. I glance at the monitors. Everything looks stable. My body is fine, considering I've been unconscious.

Seeing him there, holding me, something warm spreads through my chest. It feels right. It feels like home. But I can't waste time enjoying this. I have to warn them.

I reach for my hand, and just like before, I start to feel weightless.

When my eyes open again, I don't feel light. I feel like I've been hit by a truck. How long was I out? Weeks, probably. I sit up fast and start ripping at the wires and tubes. The IV tears out of my arm and blood starts running down my skin. Noah jerks awake beside me.

"Noah, it's here. It's coming for you. You have to get out. You have to leave!"

"Whoa, Vera, slow down. What are you talking about?"

"I saw it, Noah! It broke through the border. It'll be here in minutes. You need to warn the others and go!"

"Okay, first of all, I'm not going anywhere without you." He grabs my arm, checking the blood. "Second, you probably just had a nightmare."

"For fuck's sake, listen to me! That thing that almost killed you and the others? It's on its way here right now. You HAVE to leave!"

I'm still weak, but I force myself off the bed and stumble into the bathroom. I yank on the scrubs I was wearing before I passed out. Or died. I still don't know which.

When I come out, Noah is just sitting there on the bed like nothing's wrong. Mate or not, he's being a complete idiot right now.

I can't wait for him. I have to warn everyone else.

I'm out the door and down the stairs. My muscles are screaming at me, but they're waking up fast. I reach the nurse's station. Empty. I head into the lycans' room and find Sam and Violet changing their bandages.

"It's here. You both need to leave. NOW."

They stare at me, confused but also relieved to see me awake. Violet takes a step toward me, and then the pack house alarm blares. The panic on their faces says everything. They know exactly what that sound means.

"Evac, now. We have a protocol. Stay calm and help the patients into the tunnels."

Noise erupts from outside. Sam and Violet move instantly. Everyone has a job to do, and nobody can afford to mess up.

The lycans start pulling on the clothes Sofia left for them, grabbing ration packs that were prepared ahead of time. Noah walks into the chaos.

"How did you know?" he asks.

"I saw it. That thing is going to kill every one of us to get to you three. You have to leave. Now."

"Wait, what do you mean you saw it?" Lucas steps toward me, and it hits me. None of them could see the creature. Only I could. They're going to want answers.

"Vera, Sofia needs you. She says you know where." Violet pokes her head through the door and disappears back into the madness outside.

Moon Goddess. If that means what I think it means... she can't be in labor right now. Not now.