Chapter 104 Nightmare

• I gasped for air and clutched at the sheets when I woke from the nightmare. Flashes of terror skittered across the edge of my memory. I felt delirious as I scrambled to try and get a sense of where I was and who it was I ran from. Sweat beaded and dripped from my brow, my muscles were tight with tension, and goosebumps ran across my skin. The fear still coursed in my veins and the disgust rolled in my belly from what had happened as I failed to grasp at what that was. I scrunched my eyes shut as I tried my hardest to recall the last thing I could remember. When I came up blank, I opened my eyes and squinted into the darkness. If I couldn’t remember anything I would see for myself.
• I was distracted when the bed dipped and my mate’s smell washed over me as his large arms wrapped around me. My fight or flight kicked in and every instinct told me to run as far as possible. His body curled up behind me and I’m pulled into his embrace until my back is pressed firmly to his chest. I ignored the voice that told me I needed to get away. Unshed tears blurred my vision. The horrors of a forgotten nightmare still shook my body. My fingers trembled and fear dried my throat. His soothing voice comforted and anchored me firmly to the present. I was safe, I was loved, I was home.
• Despite everything seeming fine and being safe I couldn’t ignore my gut feeling telling me something was off. I couldn’t put my figure on it, but something wasn’t right. The adrenaline, the anxiety, the desperation from the nightmare still lingered. Despite there being nothing for me to fear here, nothing to run from, no one to hide from I couldn’t help but feel like something wasn’t right. Even with that, my body relaxed in the safety of his arms. I was not a prisoner here. His firm hand cupped my cheek and I leaned into his touch. I was not in danger here. He guided my head to the side as he leaned down. His lips pressed gently against mine and I sighed as all of my worries fell away. I inhaled the familiar scent of pine and sage, his scent.