Chapter 16:

The next morning was terrible. I stood up with a headache and nausea, Gina gave me some of that herbal tea again and painkillers that had worked for an hour or two.

"How's it going?" Frigg walked in and sat next to my resting body.

"Alright, I am feeling a bit better." I scooted up for more space on the bed where she could lie down on.

"How did last night go?"

"Better than I thought. He was upset, but I expected that." She sighed and then lied next to me, placing her head on my pillow and looking up at the ceiling. "We argued a little bit and he cried. We both did, but it was... I feel so much better. The big ass mountain was now lifted off my shoulders."

"Was he heartbroken?"

"Yes, he said that if I was pregnant he wouldn't have minded. He wants me and only me to have his children. He was so sad that I lost it, but agree that we are still too young."

"That is so sweet." I ahead, they was the cutest couple ever. I was glad that he did not blame her or walked out like most boys his age would have done. It once more showed his love and devotion for her, I was green of envy. I too wanted something like that; maybe one day I'll meet the right one. Maybe I already have...

"I feel like we are so much closer."

"Is that even possible?"

"Here you two are?" Sammy walked in and smiled at us both.

"Hi, love," Frigg mumbled and gave him a goofy smile back.

"What are two talking about?" he asked and sat on the bed. I gave him a knowing look and his smile faltered. "You know?"

"She gave me the courage to tell you," Frigg said her eyes starting to tear. Sammy just nodded.

"Hi, it is going to be alright you two." I said and dragged Frigg and Sammy into a hug, "You two are the perfect couple. I always look at you in envy."

"Thanks, Hope." Sammy and Frigg both mumbled.

"What about we watch a movie?" I proposed and they both agreed. We ended up watching some cheesy rom-com and an action thriller when my coughs started up again.

"Hope!" Frigg shouted out as I kept on coughing and short of breath. Gina came in and slowly rubbed my back as I sat up.

"We should probably take you to the doctor."

"No, it is just flu. I have all the symptoms; I just need to rest for a few days in bed and get in more vitamins and I'll be alright."

"Are you sure, that was a really nasty cough."

"I am sure. I think I am going to brush my teeth and then get as much rest as possible before tomorrow."

"Will you be alright for tomorrow? It is really a long ride."

"No! I'll be alright and if I get worst I'll stay behind and Sammy can take my place." In that moment I thought that she and Sammy needed to be together more than ever and not leave with what was going on with them both. They needed each other emotionally then and I did not feel my best. What was the point I went on the trip if I wasn't going to enjoy it?

"Okay, but let's hope you feel better." Frigg smiled and said goodnight.

That night sleep was not my friend, to scared of my violent coughs. It was around midnight when I went to the bathroom for some water when the black figure was there again. My mind was going left, right and centre. The thought of what happened was always in the back of mind. I never forgot it. I'd distract myself with Frigg and Gina and even my studies. It was still undecided, but all I know was that I was not ready to face my parents and studies yet. I was starting to think about taking a gap year.

"You."

"Hope..." it whispered back. It was a strange thing to see. It was like a black mist that flew like liquid above the ground, shaping a body. I walked to the sink trying to forget that it was there. "I am still here, even if you don't look at me. I am always here, watching."

"Stop! You are not real, you are just something my mind has made up. Probably the lack of sleep." I shook my head in my hands.

"I am not a part of your imaginary, I am real. More real than you believe and want." I looked at it again, my chest shaking with every breath.

"You're sick. You need to go to him..."

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"You know. Deep down you know, he is always in the back of your mind. YOU know!" It shouted out the last part making me fall to the tiled floor in pain. My vision blotched with white circles, my body on fire and a hammer hitting my head. It went on for hours, I did not know truly how long when I felt like I was floating in the water. It immediately cooled my body down. The water became the wind, wind that blew my hair all around me. The earthy smell of woods and freshly rain was in the air. I soft surface underneath me moved, long hair moved between my fingers. Silky and black almost blue, but underneath it was hard and rough. Muscles clenched into tight balls, moving with grace and power. I was sat on top of a very large, black wolf. It was running in the woods, the trees went like marching men past us. I was barely able to see them. It was one of the most intoxicating things I had ever experienced. The wolf came to a stop and I got a good look at it. It was beautiful and majestic, but I have seen this wolf before.

The night of my birthday, there was an attack.

A wolf attacked me.

The wolf that attacked the red one.

It turned its head towards me and shook me to the core. The wolf stared straight into my eyes, one icy blue and the other an earthy brown.

Dalia's POV:

"There have been witches spotted near the border." Lily addressed at our table. We were eating our meal when she just spoke out of the blue.

"Where do you hear this?"

"James. He told me today when we walked into each other at the grocery store. Asked if we knew something or expecting guests."

"Oh, well we don't and if we did we would have told them. This is their lands after all and with Volcov here, I wouldn't dare."

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