I had a tough time falling asleep last night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I could feel those amber eyes from the other room boring into me.
Shadow was definitely awake, even though he hadn't made a sound since I bandaged him up.
The whole house felt electric, like right before a thunderstorm. It was past midnight when I finally drifted off.
In my dream, I was running through a dark forest. Branches were snagging at my nightgown, and I could feel the damp ground beneath my bare feet.
I glanced back, but all I saw were shadows flitting between the trees, like something—or someone—was chasing me.
My heart raced. I had to keep going, to escape. But escape from what?
The moonlight was hidden behind thickening trees.
I stumbled over rocks and roots, gasping for breath, and then I heard it: something big crashing through the underbrush behind me.
Coming closer.
I burst into a clearing and skidded to a stop. There, in the moonlight, stood a massive black wolf—easily twice the size of any wolf I'd ever seen. His fur glistened like silk, and his eyes…
They were the same amber-gold as Shadow's.
He didn't snarl or show his teeth. Instead, he sat on his haunches and watched me with a kind of intelligence that made my skin crawl.
When he tilted his head, it felt oddly familiar.
"Who are you?" I whispered.
I expected a howl when the wolf opened his mouth. Instead, a man's voice came out—deep, rough, and full of something I couldn't quite place.
"You know who I am."
I jolted awake, my heart pounding in my chest. Even though the night air was cool, my pajamas were drenched in sweat.
That earthy, pine-scented smell from my dream still lingered in my nose.
Then I heard it—a low whine from the next room.
I sat up and listened. Shadow was awake too. He was moving around, and I could hear the soft click of his claws on the hardwood. Was he in pain? Had his bandages come loose?
So, I quietly slipped out of bed and tiptoed to his room. Peeking through the cracked door, I saw him lying on his bed, his head up and staring right at me.
Just like in my dream, those amber eyes seemed to glow in the dark.
"Hey, boy," I murmured. "You okay?"
He made a sound that was neither a whine nor a whimper. It was almost like he was frustrated.
Like he wanted to tell me something important but couldn't find the words.
I stepped into the room and knelt beside his makeshift bed. "Bad dreams?"
His ears perked up, and he looked at me with such intensity that I felt exposed. Like he could see right into my recent dream.
As if he knew exactly what I'd been running from in that shadowy forest.
"You were there, weren't you?" The words slipped out before I could stop them. "I dreamed.
But that's not possible. You're just a dog."
For a moment, I thought I saw a hint of offense in Shadow's narrowed eyes. I shook my head.
"I'm losing it. Talking about dreams with a dog? Maya was right; I need to get out more."
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that Shadow understood every word. He didn't look at me like a regular dog would. No, it was more like how a close friend would regard someone they cared about deeply.
Someone trying to keep you safe.
I reached out to pet his head, and as soon as my fingers brushed his fur, images flooded my mind. The forest from my dream.
But this time, I wasn't running. I was moving confidently toward the wolf.
The wolf, who looked just like Shadow, stepped closer. Our eyes locked, and I felt this deep connection.
Like I was finally home after being lost for ages.
In that same deep, mysterious voice, the wolf said, "Find me. I'm waiting."
I gasped and pulled my hand back. Shadow nudged my palm with his nose and let out a soft whine, as if he was sorry for whatever just happened.
"What are you?" I whispered.
Of course, he couldn't answer. But there was something in his eyes that made me think he wished he could.
We sat together until my heart calmed down. He nestled back onto his blankets, seeming more comfortable with me there.
But every time I tried to get up, he'd lift his head and look at me with those knowing eyes.
Finally, I gave in and went to grab a pillow from my room. I settled I settled down on the floor next to his bed and whispered, "Just for tonight."
The first joyful sound I heard from Shadow was the thump of his tail against the blankets, just once. It was like music to my ears.
I tried to drift back to sleep, eyes closed tight. This time, my dreams felt different—kinder, maybe? I wasn't running for my life; instead, I found myself in the forest again.
I moved slowly, confidently, almost like I belonged there.
In a clearing, there he was—the black wolf. But he didn't seem threatening anymore. No, he looked... lonely, almost.
As I approached, he lowered his big head, and I reached out to touch the spot between his ears.
"I'll find you," I said softly.
And then, it was like a weight lifted. His amber eyes closed, and there was something almost peaceful about it.
The next morning, sunlight flooded through the windows. Shadow was awake, watching me with that same intense gaze. But there was a shift in the air—something felt different.
It felt like last night was just the beginning.
Like my quiet, everyday life was about to take a wild turn.
Honestly? I wasn't so sure I minded, not at all, as I looked into Shadow's mysterious amber eyes.