Chapter 16 : Bad Dreams

Karenina

She was dreaming, and she felt trapped in the dark depths of her sleep, though she didn't know how she knew she was asleep. Everything was quiet and dark, but then, slowly, the darkness began to lift and she found herself on a grassy hill overlooking a valley. Fresh grass surrounded her, and the warm sunlight touched her skin. How she could smell the earth and feel the warmth of the sun, she did not know. It all felt like part of her dream, and she enjoyed the surreal sensation in her deep sleep.

"It looks like you're here," a familiar voice said from behind her.

Karen gasped when she heard the voice and immediately turned around to see his smile. Tears almost fell from her eyes. Oh, how she missed that man! After all the battles she had endured, all she wanted to do now was hold him in her arms and feel the comfort of his embrace. She wanted to tell him how much she missed him, but before she could speak, another voice spoke for her, also from behind. This voice was also familiar, but it caused a deep wound.

"Rylan," a greeting full of warmth and love greeted him as a woman walked past Karen without a glance. She immediately took him into her soft embrace. This woman was Carolina. As his arms wrapped around Carolina's slender waist, while she rested her jet-black head on the man's shoulder, Karen felt a deep pain creep through her heart.

She also felt ashamed for having witnessed this intimate moment, and she felt insulted that her love for Rylan had been clearly recognized but ignored. She knew that Carolina was Rylan's true love, and perhaps they were meant to be together. To him, Carolina was his true mate, and no time was long enough for their bond to fade.

She wanted to turn and run from the couple who were so obviously happy, but before she could, she found herself trapped in a strong embrace, not knowing how she got there or who was holding her. When she looked down, she saw the red fabric surrounding the hands that were stretched out in front of her chest in a very masculine way. Karen knew it was his hand. But she was confused. What had happened to Carolina?

The man's soft voice spoke over her head, making her breath freeze in her lungs. "I love you, Carolina."

Karen raised her head to meet the same golden eyes as Xavier's, only to realize that she no longer saw herself in Rylan's arms. Instead, the man turned his body and she saw her own face in a large mirror. That confused her. Why was she seeing herself in a mirror that should be reflecting Rylan and Carolina?

But before she could think any further, she heard a cracking sound and the mirror began to break. The cracks became more and more numerous and larger and larger, until the mirror finally broke into a million pieces. Sharp shards flew towards her and dug into her soft skin, causing sharp pain.

************

Karen awoke with a jolt, breathing heavily and sweat beading her forehead. As she began to take in her surroundings, panic gripped her, making her eyes wide and her body inexplicably stiff.

Slowly, she sat up from her reclining position on the soft bed, the thick blanket sliding down her chest and pooled in her lap from her movements as memories surfaced.

Only then did Karen realize that she was in Pack Westwood's house. The man had taken her there last night to discuss the day's events the next day. It was too late and she was too tired from the fight and her injuries. It was too dark for her tired eyes to see the beauty of the mansion, but what she saw made her tired eyes widen in awe and a small sigh escaped her lips.

Xavier had taken her to a room to rest, and a private physician had tended to her injuries. She was treated and given medicine to ease the pain and help her sleep. She is feeling better now, although her shoulder and back still hurt.

She thinks she needs stitches for a deeper cut on her shoulder, but she was too tired to ask for them last night. Even though, on second thought, she was afraid of the procedure. Getting stitches, even with the anesthesia provided, was not something she was looking forward to. She was afraid she would embarrass herself and cry like a baby during the procedure, even if she tried to get stitches at a nearby clinic.

Surely, after their discussion, she could convince him to take her to the nearest clinic so that the doctors there could treat her with a pain-relieving anesthetic that would numb her. This would give her some comfort as the gruesome procedure of stitching her wound back together began.

But for now, she was sitting in a luxurious room that she had not been able to enjoy when she arrived last night. The room was spacious and elegant, with oak doors that gave it the luxurious feel of a medieval European royal style, and windows on both sides of the bed. The furnishings were exquisite, with expensive, colorful fabrics and tapestries.

This was definitely a room fit for royalty, and being in it made her a little nervous, feeling like she didn't belong around such wealth and afraid she would accidentally break something.

Sitting upright on the bed, she felt the pain in her body and had too many unanswered questions. What time was it, where was he, and how could she find him? She was sure that if she tried to walk around aimlessly hoping to find him, she would get lost in the huge mansion and never find him. Maybe if she met a servant or someone who lived here? But she wasn't sure if her presence was known to everyone who lived here or if Xavier wanted to keep her existence a secret.

She was so confused! She didn't know what to do. Then her stomach growled and she realized that she hadn't eaten since yesterday morning, before she had accidentally entered his territory. Strange, she had no appetite when she was fighting for her life.

Her stomach decided everything. She would leave the room and walk the halls until she found someone who could lead her to him and hopefully some food. Her stomach cramped with hunger.

She slid her legs out from under the covers on her bed and lowered them to the floor, being careful not to put too much pressure on the wound. She was in more pain today than yesterday! She moaned at her own movements.

Then there was a knock at her bedroom door,

"Luna, are you awake?" a female voice asked.

Deciding that it was pointless to remain silent, she simply replied, "Yes," not knowing what else to say.

"I'm coming in," the same muffled voice told her before the wooden door opened to reveal a beautiful light brown haired woman dressed in a plain blue maid's uniform with a white apron. From the way she was dressed, she guessed she was a maid. She was proven right when the woman bowed deeply to her.

"Are you unwell, Luna?" the maid asked in a timid voice, her eyes staring down at the floor so intently that she wasn't sure of their color. "I was told by the Alpha to stay outside your room until you woke up. I could hear your heart beating faster a few minutes ago, but I wasn't sure if you were awake and didn't want to disturb you in case you weren't."

She noticed that the woman looked shy, almost afraid of her. But that was ridiculous, wasn't it? Why should anyone be afraid of her? Maybe because she had been taken by Xavier, who was her employer. Maybe her Alpha had something to do with it? Maybe she thought she was her future Luna?

Trying to put the woman at ease, she spoke in a calm and deep voice. "Don't worry, it was just a bad dream. I'm fine."

Then her stomach rumbled again, reminding her of her need to eat. She also couldn't help but notice that she desperately needed to pee while she sat. She was sure her bladder would explode if she didn't relieve herself soon.

"Do you want to eat, Luna?" the woman asked again in the same voice, her eyes still fixed on the floor in front of her.

Karen was confused by this woman's behavior. She preferred to talk to someone who had a little eye contact and was an equal. It wasn't as if she was better than anyone else or a superior person.

"Yes, but first..." and here she blushed. "I really need to go to the restroom," she said with embarrassment.

Then brown eyes met hers for a moment before the maid lowered her gaze again. "I don't know what you're talking about, Luna," she said apologetically.

Tired of being called Luna over and over again, she corrected her gently, "You may call me Karenina or just Karen. Please, I insist." She tried to give the shy woman an encouraging smile, but her eyes never met hers again – although she was sure that she had startled the she-wolf with her frozen change of posture.

"I can't do that," the woman whispered.

Deciding not to argue, since she was still having trouble with her bladder, she tried again. "Um, do you know where I can relieve myself?" She blushed again, she was sure.

"Yes, of course, Luna," the maid replied, pointing to a closed door on the far wall to her left. "There's a bathroom in there and a shower room behind an inner partition."

Smiling with relief, she practically jumped off the bed, ending up groaning with over-enthusiasm as her aching body protested the movement.

"Do you need help getting there, Luna?" the maid asked as she approached her – though her voice was mixed with reluctance.

Waving at her, she strained to stand up straight and walked calmly and quickly to the door. "No, no. I'll be fine." She replied, trying to calm the woman down.

Karen walked out the door and into the bathroom, her eyes immediately drawn to the mosaic tile floor that adorned the room. The body of the tub stood firmly in the corner, offering luxurious bathing comfort. Elegant shelves of delicately scented soaps and piles of fluffy towels added to the sense of luxury. At the far end of the room, a transparent screen unfurled to reveal an enchanting view of the outdoors.

Her attention, however, was drawn to a striking red-upholstered plush chair at the far end of the room. There was a hole in the center of the chair that piqued her curiosity. She realized that this was a modern toilet combined with an exclusive design. Everything was done with great elegance.

The perfection of the design was visible not only on the seat, but also under the seat. She was mesmerized by the beautifully placed flower pots, which added a natural touch to the modern feel of the room.

Amazed, she breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that this room had amenities that matched modern conveniences, including plumbing that ensured water always flowed smoothly. She was grateful not to have to worry about hygiene and comfort in her most private moments.

She walked happily near the latrine and found a bucket of water that invited her to wash her hands. The water was cool and refreshing as she dipped her hands, and the soft little towel next to it added a sense of luxury. When she was finished, she returned to her room with a sense of satisfaction and pride in her good fortune to be in such a modern and luxurious bathroom.

She found the maid waiting for her without moving from her place by the door.

"What's your name?" Karen asked curiously.

"I'm Helga, Luna."

"That's a nice name. Nice to meet you, Helga," she said sincerely.

She noticed that Helga's cheeks were flushed and smiled gently at her.

"You must be hungry, Luna. Let me get you something to eat," she murmured. She went to the door before Karen could answer.

She said, reaching a hand to her back in a halting motion, tugging at the wound on her back. Karen stifled a groan.

Helga stopped in her tracks and turned to face her, her eyes fixed on the floor. "Yes, Luna?"

"Um, can you tell me what time it is and where I can find Xavier? I need to talk to him."

"It's already eleven, Luna. Besides, Alpha Xavier said to report to him when you wake up. I'll do that while I bring you some food." Then she left, carefully opening the closed door behind her.

She could only wait for Helga's return, so she returned to the bed and sat up, leaning against the pile of pillows she had made, ignoring the pain in her back from the slight pressure.

Helga had been gone for a long enough time that she was thinking too much about her current situation. She thought about him and when he planned to let her stay in his mansion. She was sure that Xavier had more pressing issues with his new mate than spending so much time with his stepbrother's girlfriend. Then she thought about Maya and her relationship with Nathan and Rylan and her friends, they must be very worried about her. She wondered if they were okay.

Her dreams also bothered her, which made her even more depressed. She just wanted to go home where she could rest and not think about these complicated events, and just spend time with her family and friends in the downtown area that had become her home along with her mother, younger sister, and grandfather since her father died a few years ago.

Karen and her family decided to move out of the Moonlit Grove pack after the death of her father, a dedicated Beta. Tragedy struck when her father was attacked and killed by the Rogues, a pack that had abandoned the laws and rules that governed other packs.

Losing her father was hard for her. He was a man who was wise, loving, and devoted to his family and the Moonlit Grove pack. After his death, her mother, younger sister, and grandfather were also devastated.

This tragic event changed the dynamics of her family. Her mother felt the need to move away from the territory they had called home for so many years, a place where so many memories were made with her father. After much consideration, they decided to move to downtown, leaving behind the Moonlit Grove area, which was full of fond memories but also deep sadness.

In the city, they begin a new life, trying to heal the emotional wounds caused by their father's death. Karen adjusted to her new surroundings, seeking comfort and support from her new family and friends. Though their hearts still felt lost, they tried to move on and build a happy new life.

Finally, there was the sound of approaching footsteps, followed by a light knock on her bedroom door. "I've brought you something to eat, Luna," she said.

"Come in," she said excitedly.

Helga entered the room with a tray of tempting food. She felt saliva flow in her mouth as she looked at the food. The tray contained a warm soup with an appetizing aroma, a small bowl of tempting rice, and a cup of warm drink.

"Alpha Xavier will come after you have eaten. He said you should eat first and regain your strength," Helga said.

She started to eat with a great enthusiasm. The warm soup with chicken and mushrooms was very appetizing and filled her stomach. Helga watched with pleasure as she enjoyed her meal.

When she finished her meal, she let out a satisfied sigh. Helga came to take her tray and said, "I'll tell Alpha when you've finished eating."

She walked away, leaving her alone again. The girl was nervous to see him again. Her mind drifted to their moments together, their bodies touching and close under the night sky. Her face flushed red as she remembered how close they were when he held her and cuddled her.

Karen snapped out of her reverie when she felt the strong werewolf aura approaching. She clutched the blanket in her lap tightly in anticipation of its arrival. Her face reflected a mixture of embarrassment and excitement.