Chapter 3

[SYLVIE’s Point-of-View]

“NOOO!!!”

I stirred from the bed and jolted upright. My forehead beaded with cold sweat, and my body shuddered as I embraced myself and pulled my legs up to my chest, rocking myself with my forehead on my knees until I calmed down.

“It’s just a dream…it’s just a dream…” I kept on whispering over and over, trying to erase the horror that had stuck in my head for over a decade. The room was bright from the morning sunlight, yet cold. And I realized I had left the window open. The sheer white curtains danced in the soft breeze.

My hand automatically went to feel the soft, smooth scar on my head. The sharp, shooting pain I suffered from it for years had gone, and what was left were the nightmares that brought me into the human community. I survived. The horror that happened after I outlasted all kinds of pain: the loss of the Moonlight Pack. My father’s death and the betrayal changed my life forever.

Feeling dizzy, I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water to quench my sudden thirst and wash down my dry throat. I took a sip and saw Oliver standing at the door with a worried look on his face.

“Another nightmare?” he asked with a worried look.

“Yeah,“ I sighed, feeling the scar on my head with my fingertip. I frowned and placed the glass on the table. “Did I wake you up? Did my scream startle you?”

“No, Mom.” Oliver smiled at me and sighed, “Don’t worry about it. I woke up because I heard your footsteps here in the kitchen. I just want to check you out and see how you are feeling.”

Awww….I was so blessed to have a sweet and caring son. I smiled at Oliver and stepped closer to him to dishevel his already messy hair. “I am alright, son. You don’t have to worry too much about me. I’ll make you some breakfast then.”

I couldn’t believe my son, Oliver, was already seventeen. He had the same blonde hair as mine and a beautiful pair of brown eyes. He was ready to join his first year in the training camp to enhance his combat skills, whether hand-to-hand or in shifted form.

Oliver was a kind kid. He never gave me a single headache ever since he was little, and when he was old enough and confident in himself, he told me he would protect and take care of me. I was blessed to have him by my side even after all the horrors I went through in the past.

Then I remembered I hadn’t been in the Eastridge pack for almost a month. I didn’t know why, but even though the pack was kind enough to have me and my son under their protection, something about them was still suspicious. It’s been years, but the investigation regarding my dad’s cooperation with them before his death is still pending and unclear for me.

There was no closure to the incident that happened to my former pack and the unfortunate fate that their Alpha, my dad, faced.

What made me scared was that I couldn’t let Oliver know that the nightmares were getting worse and worse. I never wanted him to think and worry about me while he was at the training camp. It should be a fun activity for his age, and I never wanted to ruin it.

“I think you should go to a doctor. When was the last time you had an appointment with Dr. Miles? I can tell you are trying to hide that pain from me, Mom. I know you. Don’t be too stubborn, okay?”

“Fine. I’ll go.” I smiled and then started to work in the kitchen, thinking about what to cook for him that he could bring to the camp. “But I have to wait until I get out later at work.”

“That’s fine. At least you can have that check.” Oliver’s mood suddenly changed until I heard him groan frustratingly as he slumped himself onto one of the chairs at the table.

“Is there something wrong, Oliver?” I frowned, seeing that it was too early for him to feel upset, and I got concerned about what it was: “Is it Daniel? Is he dragging you into trouble?”

He shook his head gently as he tried to fix his disheveled hair, “No. It’s just I am growing tired of him thinking that you are his mate. He keeps on telling me he wanted to be my dad!” He said it ridiculously and laughed awkwardly about his friend. “I know Daniel has a crush on you, but, seriously?”

I rolled my eyes, laughing. “Daniel is just being silly, Oliver. Besides, if he is indeed my mate, I would know.”

He grimaced, “Mom!?”

“What?!” I laughed hard. “I’m just teasing you, Oliver. Don’t be too serious about what Daniel is telling you.”

“But is it true?” His face went serious, and I didn’t know why I started to feel nervous. “About the rumor that you will be the Luna of the Eastridge pack?”

I froze; I didn’t know what to say to my son. I gave him an awkward smile and made my hands busy preparing breakfast for him. “Oliver, that’s what they are. Rumors. Alpha Ray and I haven’t seen each other for over a month. Relax, because that isn’t true.” I gently placed the plate of sandwiches and fresh orange juice in front of him and sat on the opposite chair. “Besides, everyone knows that the Alpha is loyal to his former mate and doesn’t want to get involved romantically with anyone.”

Oliver stopped questioning me and focused on his food.

I was distracted by knocks on the front door.

“Oh my goddess, they’re here!” My son exclaimed in panic and then went to the bathroom to take a bath.

I opened the door and saw Ray Howard standing so handsomely. His dark, disheveled hair was still wet and fresh from the bath. He smelled like soap, and the distinct, lovely scent made me breathless.

“A-Alpha Ray,” my voice almost like a whisper.

Our eyes locked into each other, and my heart started to beat frantically inside my chest. I told my son I wasn’t interested in the Alpha of the pack we were joining, but why was I nervous being in front of him? Why was my mind panicking and my hand sweating when he gazed into my eyes like he was gazing into my very soul?

His eyes went down on me, and that’s when I realized I was still wearing pajamas.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Good morning, Miss Hall. I just came here to pick Oliver up for the training camp.” He said with an amused look on his face as he politely bowed his head slightly at me. Daniel, who was standing by his father’s side, did the same. The kid had a huge smile on his face while looking at me, and he looked funny. I couldn’t help but smile.

Daniel reached for his hand for me to shake, and I did. Daniel is a very good friend to my son, despite teasing Oliver a lot. “Both of us are looking forward to this training. And—and I am happy seeing you again, Miss Hall.”

Alpha Ray raised an eyebrow at his son and said, “Daniel’s really excited to come here.”

I laughed shyly, “Yeah, I can tell. Please come inside. Oliver is still preparing his things.”

“Nope!” Oliver uttered in haste as he ran from the living room towards the door, “I’m good, Mom. We should go.” I could tell he didn’t like Daniel being around me for too long and it was funny.

Alpha Ray smiled at me but I averted my eyes from him, too nervous to smile back. I didn’t know why I was being aloof when he was friendly and nice to me but I couldn’t let my guard down. Especially after the betrayal I suffered several years ago.

“You should go with us.” He tilted his head slightly with a gentle look on his face, “I have something for you when we get to the pack.”