Chapter 115
The knock on my door came just as I was attempting to gather my thoughts. My heart was still racing from the storm of emotions that had overtaken me last night in the shower. Jake’s possessiveness, his touch, his kiss… it haunted me in ways I didn’t want to admit.
I took a deep breath, smoothed my hair, and opened the door.
Sophie stood there, her usual warm smile faltering slightly as she studied my face. “Ayla? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I lied quickly, plastering on the most convincing smile I could manage.
Her brow furrowed, but she didn’t push. “If you say so. But listen, I have a favor to ask. Could you watch the twins tonight? I have a few things I need to take care of, and they’ve been restless lately. They might sleep better with you.”
The thought of being with Lily and Logan brought an instant wave of comfort. “Of course,” I said, my smile more genuine this time. “I’d love to.”
Sophie’s shoulders relaxed, and she gave me a grateful nod. “Thank you, Ayla. You’re really good with them.”
I shrugged, trying to brush off the compliment, but it warmed me nonetheless. “They’re easy to love.”
\---
Later that evening, I set up the babies’ co-sleeping bassinets next to my bed and tucked them in. Lily fussed a little, as she always did, but Logan was out like a light the moment his tiny head hit the pillow.
“Goodnight, little angels,” I whispered, brushing a soft kiss against each of their foreheads.
I climbed into bed, the exhaustion of the day settling over me. It didn’t take long for sleep to pull me under, but when it did, the dream came.
That voice—soft, familiar, yet otherworldly—called to me again.
“Ayla,” it said, as clear as if it were right next to me.
I turned, and this time, I saw her face.
She had hair as dark as mine, cascading in waves around her shoulders. Her eyes were full of kindness but held a depth of sadness that made my chest ache.
“Who are you?” I asked, my voice trembling.
“Do not be afraid,” she said, her voice a soothing balm. “This is your second chance, Ayla. This is your fate now. You must protect them—the children. They hold the future of this world in their little hands.”
Her words wrapped around me, heavy with meaning. I wanted to ask more, to beg her for answers, but the dream began to blur, her face fading into the darkness.
I woke with a start, my heart pounding in my chest. The room was silent except for the soft breaths of the twins.
The same girl. The same dream. What did it mean?
The sun was just beginning to rise, painting the room in soft hues of gold. I sat up, trying to shake off the lingering unease, but it clung to me like a shadow.
The day passed slowly. Jake was nowhere to be seen, which, if I was honest, was a relief. His presence had become a storm cloud in my life, unpredictable and dangerous.
By late afternoon, my restless curiosity got the better of me. I wandered the packhouse, exploring its many halls and rooms. Most were plain and functional, but as I rounded a corner, I noticed a pair of double oak doors slightly ajar.
Something pulled me toward them, a strange sense of familiarity I couldn’t explain.
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside.
The room was vast but sparse. A large bed dominated the space, the dark sheets perfectly made. There was little else—a walk-in closet, a large bathroom, and a single picture frame on the bedside table.
The air smelled like him.
I walked to the bedside, drawn to the photograph. My breath hitched as I picked it up, my heart racing when I saw the image.
It was Jake, his arm wrapped around a beautiful woman with hair as dark as mine. Her face—the face from my dreams—smiled back at me.
My hands trembled as I held the frame closer.
“Who are you?” I whispered aloud, my voice shaking. “Why are you in my dreams?”
In my shock, the frame slipped from my fingers, the glass shattering as it hit the floor.
The sound was deafening in the silence, and I froze, dread washing over me.
“What the hell are you doing in my room?”
His voice was a snarl, low and menacing, and I turned to see Jake standing in the doorway, his eyes burning with fury.
“I—I didn’t mean to—” I stammered, backing away as he stalked toward me.
When he saw the broken picture, his expression darkened further.
“You touched it,” he growled, his voice dripping with venom. “You touched *her*.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, panic rising as he closed the distance between us. “I didn’t mean to—”
Before I could finish, his hand shot out, grabbing me by the throat.
“You have no right,” he hissed, his grip tightening. “No right to touch my things, to invade my space.”
I clawed at his hand, gasping for air as his fingers pressed against my neck. “Jake… please…”
His eyes were wild, his rage unrelenting. “You are nothing,” he spat. “Nothing but a tool to calm this pack. You mean *nothing* to me.”
Tears streamed down my face as I choked out, “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”
He released me suddenly, and I collapsed to the ground, coughing and struggling to catch my breath.
“If I ever catch you in here again, touching my things, I’ll make sure you regret it,” he said coldly.
I looked up at him, his face a mask of hatred.
“You’re nothing but an intruder,” he continued. “Stay out of my way, Ayla. Stay out of my life.”
With that, he grabbed the broken picture and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
I stayed on the floor, my body trembling as sobs wracked my chest. I had never felt such venom directed at me, such loathing in someone’s eyes.
Why would the Moon Goddess do this? Why would she tie me to a man who despised me?
I didn’t want this life. I didn’t want to be here, to be hated, to endure this pain.
All I had ever wanted was peace and happiness, but this was hell.
\---
That night, I sat alone in my room, the twins asleep beside me. I stared out the window, my heart heavy with despair.
The girl from my dreams had told me this was my fate, that this was my second chance. But for what? To suffer? To be hated?
I wiped away a tear, my resolve hardening.
If this was my fate, then I would endure it—not for Jake, but for the twins.
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