Chapter 1 Dani
My bare feet splashed in the cold water of the creek. My cheeks pink from my exertion. Luca couldn't win again. I watched his back in front of me, his jet black hair fluttering in the wind of his speed. I was about to catch up to him when he turned his head. He flashed that mischievous, smug smile of his. My muscles burned as I pushed myself harder, finally passing him. I laughed victoriously, twirling around, the water splashing around me. When I stopped my celebrating I turned, trying to find Luca but he was gone. "Luca?" I called out to the vacant woods, my voice echoing. A chill went through me.
Something was wrong.
"Luca!" I screamed louder, my heart beginning to race.
"Dani!"
I whirled around toward his coven's side of the creek. Luca stood, his piercing green eyes filled with pain. I gasped when I saw the side of his face covered in blood. "Luca what----" I began, when I heard screams coming from my own pack. I glanced back toward home only to find it up in flames. A strangled cry got stuck in my throat. I turned back around to find Luca directly in front of me, a lone tear running down his cheek. I reached up to wipe it away when he snatched my hand, gripping it tightly. "I hate you," he whispered, his eyes burning. A sob choked out of me. "I hate you Dani!" he screamed at me....
I bolted upright, my heart pounding. I was covered in sweat. I was in my bed, the light of the moon streaming in my window. I wrapped my arms around myself. It was just a dream. The nightmare that still plagued me despite the years that had passed since the war started....The years since I last saw Luca, my best friend.
'12 years,' my wolf said softly.
I hastily wiped the tears on my cheeks, 'I don't know why I dream of him,' I sniffled back.
'Because we love him,' Raven answered with a gentleness to her voice. 'He is important to us.'
I scoffed at my wolf as I snuggled back under my covers. I pulled my blanket up to my chin trying to fight the chill creeping into my bones, 'He probably hates us. And I'm supposed to hate him.'
I shuddered remembering the flames of my nightmares. The day the war began. The day we lost my big brother, leaving me as my father's only heir. An alpha with no one to lead the pack when he was gone. Nothing had been the same since.
Raven wrapped around me in a comforting embrace. My wolf filled my mind with beautiful memories of Luca and I playing, our laughter warming my broken heart. 'Thank you,' I whispered to her as I felt the pull of sleep taking me away.
'Always, my love,' Raven cooed back. 'I will be here. Now sleep. Dream of our Luca....'A smile curled my lips as I drifted off, my heart letting me believe that one day....
One day I would see Luca again...
