HIS

Chapter 14

Tonight, the weight of my thoughts presses down on me like a heavy blanket, suffocating and unyielding as I toss and turn in my bed. 

Sleep eludes me, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand as my mind races with thoughts of Soren. 

Images of his troubled expression, his haunted eyes, flicker through my mind like shadows dancing in the darkness, and a sense of unease gnaws at the pit of my stomach.

He is having nightmares tonight, I can feel it, and I'm pretty sure it's because of the mate mark. 

I remember the way he looked that night when my wolf took over me and went to comfort him.

I remember his features contorted in agony as he struggled against unseen demons, and a surge of concern washes over me like a tidal wave, driving me from the confines of my bed and propelling me forward with a sense of urgency that I can't ignore.

With each step I take, the air grows heavier, thick with pain as I make my way through the dimly lit corridors of the house. 

My heart pounds in my chest like a drumbeat, echoing in the silence of the night as I ascend the staircase, my footsteps muffled against the polished wood beneath my feet.

As I reach the top of the stairs, I hesitate for a moment, uncertain. But then, with a steadying breath, I push forward, driven by an unspoken need to reach out to Soren, to offer him whatever  comfort I can in his time of need.

The hallway stretches out before me like a darkened labyrinth, the shadows looming large and ominous as I navigate my way toward Soren's room. With each passing moment, my heart beats faster. 

And then, finally, I stand before Soren's door, my hand hovering uncertainly over the handle as I wrestle with my emotions.

I push the door open and step inside, the cool darkness enveloping me like a comforting embrace as I make my way toward Soren's bed, my footsteps echoing softly in the silence of the room.

As I approach, I can see Soren lying on the bed, his features twisted in a restless sleep. A pang of sympathy washes over me as I gaze down at him, his brow furrowed in pain, his hands clenched tightly in fists at his sides. His bare chest covered in sweat.

Soren stirs at the sound of my voice, his features softening slightly as he slowly opens his eyes from his restless sleep. 

His eyes flutter open, and for a moment, there's a flicker of confusion in his gaze before recognition dawns, and he looks up at me with a mixture of surprise and slight confusion..

"Sam?" he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep as he blinks up at me, his gaze searching mine.

 "What are you doing here? Are you okay?"

I hesitate for a moment, unsure of how to respond. "I couldn't sleep," I admit softly, my voice barely more than a whisper as I gaze down at him with concern.

 "I felt that...you were having a nightmare, and I just...I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Soren's expression softens at my words, a flicker of something shining in his eyes as he reaches out and grasps my hand in his. "You wanted to make sure I was okay," he echoes.

His touch is warm and reassuring, grounding me in the darkness as he squeezes my hand gently.

 I don't say anything.

"Thank you," he murmurs, his voice tinged with emotion as he gazes up at me with glowing brown eyes.

The room is shrouded in darkness, the only illumination coming from the faint moonlight filtering through the sheer curtains. 

My heart pounds in my chest as I watch Soren's silhouette shift on the bed. He seems restless, his movements betraying a silent turmoil that mirrors my own.

"Sam," his voice breaks through the silence, a soft whisper that seems to hang in the air. I hesitate, unsure of how to respond, but his next words catch me off guard.

"Sleep with me," he says, his tone almost pleading.

I blink in surprise, processing his request. The vulnerability in his voice tugs at something deep within me. I couldn't say no. There is a rawness in his eyes, a vulnerability that I have never seen before.

"Are you sure?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Soren's grip on my wrist tightens, a silent reassurance that speaks volumes. "Yes," he replies, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the night.

He moves to the side, making room for me, and I nestle into the space beside him, my back turned towards him as he wraps his arms around me.

In that moment, as I lay there in Soren's arms, I can feel the tension in the air, a palpable energy that crackles between us. Yet, beneath the surface, there is the mating bond that is growing stronger thanks to the mark on my neck.

"My mom died when I was ten years old. I get it.. if you're dreaming about your family..." I whisper into the darkness.

I don't know why I even said that, I guess I wanted to share some of my past with Soren. Deep down, I feel guilty that I know of his past.

I feel Soren's presence beside me, his warmth seeping into my bones and chasing away the lingering sadness. "I had a dream about her a few nights ago. We can't control our dreams."

Soren nestles closer, his breath ghosting over the crook of my neck. His touch is gentle, his movements deliberate as he pulls me closer to his chest, his arms enveloping me in a cocoon of safety.

It becomes quiet, I don't say another word. 

I close my eyes, allowing myself to surrender to the sensation of his warmth seeping into my bones. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest match the steady beat of my own heart, creating a soothing cadence that echoes softly in the silence.

(*)

As I wake from my slumber, the first thing I feel is the comforting weight of Soren's chest beneath me, his steady heartbeat a soothing rhythm against my ear. His warmth envelops me, cocooning me in a sense of security and belonging that I have never known before, not even in my pack.

I shift slightly, feeling the gentle pressure of Soren's hands under my shirt, his touch sending a shiver of awareness coursing through me as his hand rests on  my stomach.

I can't help but marvel at the intimacy of the closeness we share, the unspoken bond that tethers us together in the silence of the morning. 

I turn my gaze to Soren's sleeping form beside me, my breath catching in my throat at the sight before me. 

He looks so peaceful, so utterly serene, his features softened in the golden light filtering through the curtains. His dark curls frame his face in a disheveled halo, his lips curved in a faint smile that tugs at my heartstrings.

Soren seems almost otherworldly—an ethereal being untouched by the trials of the world, a vision of beauty and grace that steals my breath away.

 I can't tear my eyes away from him, can't help but drink in every detail of his perfect form as if committing it to memory.

And then, as if sensing my gaze upon him, Soren stirs, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal the depths of his eyes. A small smile plays at the corners of his lips as he looks at me. 

He has a beautiful smile, I wish he would smile more.

He reaches out to brush a strand of hair from my face, his touch feather-light against my skin.

"You're awake," Soren murmurs, his voice a gentle caress that sends shivers down my spine. 

I nod in response, unable to tear my gaze away from his as we lay entwined in the soft light of the morning. 

Then his smile turns to a smirk.

"No, I mean you're awake," he gestures down, and I realise what he meant.