Gabriel
I see the fear in his eyes; this is a lot to ask for, and I know it. But Cal is old enough to handle it, and I trust him completely.
"What if I can't wake you up from it?" he asks, his voice trembling.
I take a deep breath, knowing I have to be honest with him. He needs to understand the seriousness of what I'm entrusting him with.
"You will have to. Dreams don't take prisoners. If you don't wake me up, I will die."
His eyes widen, but he nods anyway.
"When you enter a dream, you're in a different realm. You're connected to the corporeal world, and you're invincible, but time doesn't move the same way it does here. If you're not careful, you could get stuck in a dream."
"Will this help?" he asks, hopeful.
I nod, giving him a small smile. "Yes, it will."
"Okay, what do you need me to do? How do we make this work?"
I appreciate Cal's willingness to help, despite the fear evident in his eyes. This is a tremendous responsibility I'm placing on him, and I need him to fully understand the gravity of the situation.
I take a moment to collect my thoughts before responding to his question. It's crucial that I explain everything clearly, leaving no room for misunderstandings.
"First, I need you to understand the concept of dream walking," I begin, my voice steady. "When I go, I'm entering the subconscious mind of whoever this shirt belongs to. It's a delicate process, and you have to be cautious not to disturb the dreamer's experience."
Cal listens intently, his expression focused and determined.
"Remember, time in the dream world doesn't flow the same way as it does in the physical realm," I continue. "Minutes here could feel like hours or even days there. You need to stay focused and vigilant, ensuring that you locate me and bring me back to consciousness before it's too late."
Cal's brows furrow with concern, but he maintains his resolve.
"What if I can't wake you up?" he asks, his voice trembling.
I place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You have to believe in yourself, Cal. Trust your instincts. You have a strong connection to your wolf, and that will guide you."
He nods again, determination shining in his eyes.
"Great. All you have to do is watch over me. If you notice any changes in my form, you have to wake me up."
"Got it, Alpha. I'll be your anchor and pull you back if anything goes wrong," Cal says, his voice now steady and determined.
I smile, satisfied with his understanding of the situation. "Good. Now let's begin."
I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and focusing my energy. I let the scent of the shirt envelop me, transporting me to the subconscious mind of its owner. The darkness around me starts to fade, and I see flashes of memories, dreams, and desires.
This is not the first time I've traveled into someone's dream, and I'm certain it won't be the last. I need to know who attacked my men, who this shirt belongs to, and why they want to hurt my pack.
Slowly opening my eyes, I find myself in a grassy field, the sun shining brightly overhead. I glance around, taking in my surroundings. I don't know how far into his memory I've traveled, but hopefully, this will provide some answers.
In the distance, I see a figure slowly making its way toward me.
"Tonight is the night, Gus. You have to make sure you bring your A game," the man speaks up, and I try to get his face to clear up. Sometimes, before I can fully enter the dream, everything around me is blurry.
Seeing whoever this is will help me identify the attackers.
"What if I don't want to do this anymore?" Gus asks, his voice filled with doubt.
The man laughs coldly. "It's tonight. There's no going back. Do you have any idea what will happen to you if you back out?"
The man's tone is condescending, and it's clear that the owner of the shirt doesn't want to be involved but feels trapped.
"Okay, I know. You're right," Gus finally lets out a defeated sigh.
I take steady breaths, trying to control my core and get a clearer picture of the other person. Since I'm in the mind of the shirt's owner, I can't see him directly, but I can see the other person. Maybe if I identify him, I'll know if they belong to any pack.
With each breath I take, I get a better look at his face. Finally, I manage to form a clear picture. His face is rough and weathered. He's dressed in a pair of jeans and a black shirt. If I've ever seen this man before, I don't recognize him.
"Will I become a part of the group after this?" Gus asks, seeking some reassurance.
The man smiles cryptically. "Only if your mission is successful."
Before I can glean any more details from their conversation, everything starts to fade away, and it feels like I'm being pulled in another direction. The speed at which I'm walking quickens, almost like light, and suddenly, I find myself somewhere else.
In a compound.
A pack.
The home I'm in bears a striking resemblance to mine. I've discovered that Gus, the man whose shirt I'm holding, is a member of a pack. Whispers circulate about the Nightshade Syndicate, a group composed entirely of rogue wolves who have abandoned their homes. Despite this, it seems that Gus himself is still a pack member and not a rogue.
"Brother, Papa needs you," a child calls out as they rush toward Gus, gripping his hand urgently. Gus's expression shifts to one of concern, his eyes softening with affection. "Is he in bed?" he asks gently. The child nods, and they make their way toward one of the compound's bungalows. Intrigued and perplexed, I follow along, eager to make sense of it all.
As we enter the house, an overpowering stench hits me immediately.
Fuck.