Forbidden Mate: Awakening

How could Don be this way now when I always knew him as my bully? Why did he feel so much apprehension to do all he could to make up for all the years of his mistreatment towards me? I thought it’d make me feel nice and like him more but I only felt pity for him. He couldn’t even live his life well because of this guilt gnawing at him.

I didn’t want this for him.

And then also, the dream. If Don had significant dreams too, did he have the power of dreaming? Deciphering the dream was another issue because I was so bad doing that with even the visions I had talkless of a dream. I’d tell Adrian about it to see maybe he could explain it to me.

But the thought of Jaxon, my own friend of how many years, killing me?

No, it was so unbelievable. Don was just being paranoid.

Still, I wanted to believe in him, to believe that he could change and become a better person. But I couldn’t ignore the past and the hurt he had caused. What if his mental health was all a facade? Was he just trying to get back at Jaxon?

“Oh Lily…”

All I could do was hope that he would find his way back to the right path and that he would keep his promise to protect the pack, not only be my bodyguard like he claimed he wanted to.

As I stepped out of the mental home, I thought, “When last did I even actually dream?”

•••••••

Late at night, while everyone else slept, Jaxon’s mind drifted into a world of dreams. In these dreams, memories and wishes merged, creating different sort of images and feelings in his mind. Amidst these dreams, one person stood out – Briana.

Briana was a mysterious woman with striking silver eyes who had been a part of Jaxon’s childhood.

They were dropped off at the same place and survived together on the streets before Briana was taken by a vampire couple who took a liking of her beauty and composure.

They had a strong connection, but life had pulled them apart, Jaxon to werewolves, Briana to vampires, leaving unanswered questions and lingering emotions. They were tweens at that time but they knew they had feelings for eachother.

In this dream, Briana appeared like a vision, her silver hair flowing, and her eyes glowing like moons. She seemed magical, and Jaxon felt both fascinated and unsure in her presence.

“Jaxon,” Briana’s voice whispered like a gentle breeze, “Do you still remember me?”

Jaxon’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice. “Of course, I remember you,” he replied, “How could I forget you?”

Briana’s gaze held a depth that seemed to peer into his soul. “I’m sorry for leaving you,” she said softly. “I never wanted to cause you pain.”

Jaxon felt different emotions when he gazed into her silver eyes. He missed her and wanted answers and closure, but he had tried to hide those feelings, thinking he had moved on. They were kids, but still.

“Why did you leave?” Jaxon asked, with a lump in his voice.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Briana’s expression softened. “I found people that actually wanted me. I found a family, Jaxon, and I knew I could’ve told you but they wanted to leave with me so suddenly. I didn’t have the time to say goodbye to you and I’m sorry,” she explained. “But I never stopped caring for you, Jaxon. I hope you know that.”

Jaxon’s heart raced different ways at that moment. Part of him wanted to hug her, to remember their past connection. But another part was hesitant, afraid of the hurt and uncertainty caused by her sudden departure.

Before he could say anything else, the dream shifted, and Briana began to fade away like a mirage. “I have to go,” she said, her voice echoing in the depths of his mind. “But remember, Jaxon, our paths may cross again someday.”

And then, she was gone, leaving Jaxon standing alone in the alleyway, with so many more unanswered questions.

As if the dream was about to end, he was transported to another white plain. Then he saw a transparent glass cylinder big enough for a human to fit in. He looked closely and saw Briana trapped inside, banging the frame and calling for help.

His eyes opened wide and he started running towards her. The closer he got, the clearer the girl’s face was. When he got close enough, he slowed down and realised it wasn’t Briana.

“Please help me.” But she sounded like her.

He tried to remember her face.

“Please! Help me!”

Silver-blond hair, green eyes, a scar on her hand… it was Tiana. The only person Audrey talked to in the grove. But why did she look so much like Briana? What was she doing there?

“Jaxon! Please, save me! Help me out, please!” Her eyes filled up with tears as she kept on banging the frame but Jaxon was too shocked to move.

“Briana?”

As soon as he mentioned that name, Tiana’s facial expression changed. She looked flabbergasted. Jaxon stretched his hand to touch the frame but before his index finger could meet the frame, he woke up.

He looked to his left and saw his mom sleeping peacefully on the bed next to Junior. He breathed out and stood from the floor, walking to her to adjust the bandage on her head.

It’s like the spirits were out to get him and his family.

First his mom was pushed down the stairs by an unseen force, now he was dreaming about his first love or childhood crush being trapped in the body of another girl, trapped in a glass cylinder.

He went back to lay on the mattress on the floor for a moment, trying to process the flood of emotions that washed over him. Part of him wanted to believe that the dream meant something, that perhaps Briana was out there trying to reach out to him.

After all these years, why all of a sudden now?

But another part of him doubted the dream, thinking it was just his imagination and memories of the past.

He shook his head and pushed those thoughts aside then got out of bed. He had to focus on the present and future, not the past. Briana was part of his past, and he couldn’t let her hold him back.

He went to the bathroom to wash his face, yet his thoughts still drifed back to Briana, wondering where she was and what she was doing. Did she still think about him, too? Did she regret leaving?

And then also, the other girl…Tiana. Why did she look so much like Briana? He had hardly noticed her whilst she was in the grove but now he came to think of it, they did bare a striking resemblance. Where they sisters?

“That’s so stupid.” He spat out the water he gaggled in his mouth and washed his face.

It was just a stupid dream. That’s all.

He took a towel from the rack and entered the shower.