***ALICE***
Chanting was the first thing to hit my ears—deep, rough voices echoing through the dark. Their tone, shifting up and down. Slowly, figures started forming—wolf shapes across all directions in a closed circle, draped in grey furs. Moonlight caught their eyes—deep and unblinking. All focused on me.
My heart started pounding fast, slamming hard against my chest. I didn't know where I was or why I was there, but every instinct in me kept screaming that something was about to happen.
The chanting grew louder and louder… until suddenly—
Silence.
The wolves in front of me dressed aside slowly, creating a path.
That was when I saw it.
A larger wolf stepped out—massive, its whole body covered in bright white fur—without blemish. It was beautiful in a way that made my mouth part open, yet there was something powerful, ancient, and dangerous about it that made my knees weak.
The wolf raised its head, letting out a low growl. The sound broke through the silence, and instantly, every other wolf bowed.
I tried to move, but I couldn't. It felt like the ground held me in place.
Just as I was still struggling to move, my body jerked forward—yanked by something I couldn't see or fight against. I gasped, as the force dragged me straight toward the white wolf. The creature grew bigger and bigger the closer I got until it was all I could see. I felt the ground slipping away beneath me.
And just as I was about to slam into it—
My eyes flew open.
I bolted upright in bed, gasping for air. Beads of sweat ran down my face, while my damp hair clung to the back of my neck. I wiped my face with my hand, trying to be in control again.
A dream… but it didn't feel like one.
I barely had time to settle down before a knock sounded on my door.
I straightened up sluggishly, still catching my breath. "Lancelot?" I whispered, hoping it was him.
Then, I tilted the door open—
And found Selena standing there.
A soft smile curled out of her lips. "Looks like you were expecting someone else."
Before I could say anything, she walked right into my room without waiting for me to invite her in. I felt my jaw tighten for a moment, a little spark of annoyance flashing inside me, but I forced myself to let it go.
"Um… you can sit," I said, gesturing toward the only chair in the room.
She took the seat gracefully, placing a small carton box on her lap. I sat on the edge of my bed, gaze focused on her.
"I brought you a little something," she said, reaching the box towards me. "It's tea. Made with the best cocoa in the pack. It's pretty expensive."
The gesture took me off guard. I opened the box slowly, the scent that met my face was soft and warm.
"That's… really kind of you," I said quietly, closing the box.
Selena smiled. And as she started talking—telling me things about the pack, their routines, the people, funny stories about growing up here—I found myself relaxing. Listening. Even enjoying her company a little. Maybe she wasn't as bad as I had thought.
But the soft mood didn't last long, as another knock sounded at the door.
"Come in." My voice came out flat.
Lancelot stepped inside.
The air got tensed immediately, like all warmth and coolness got drained out of the room. Selena straightened, her smile fading slightly. Lancelot's eyes flicked between us, sharp and unreadable.
"So…," Selena said, rising to her feet, brushing her hands down her clothes, "I'll take my leave now."
Lancelot didn't stop her. If anything, he looked like he wanted her gone.
She gave me one last smile before darting out of the room.
Silence grew between us for a moment.
Lancelot finally took the seat she'd left behind. His eyes softened as he looked at me. "Hey," he said quietly. "how are you settling in?"
"It hasn't been easy," I murmured honestly. "But… I'm trying. I'll get used to it."
I tried to smile, but it felt forceful. The dream hit me again—details replaying in my head. I guess he noticed.
"Alice," he said gently, leaning forward and grabbing my hand, "is something wrong?"
I swallowed hard, holding the hem of my gown tightly. "I had a dream. A strange one. I… I don't exactly know how to explain it."
But I tried. I told him everything—the chanting, the circle of wolves, the huge white wolf pulling me towards it. The fear I felt. The feeling that it meant something.
*comment: she should atleast feel somewhat unsure if to trust him or not*
When I finished, he didn't even look surprised.
Instead, he let out a shallow breath and stood up. "I thought this might start happening soon," he said quietly. "There's something you need to see. Something that'll help you understand what that dream really means."
He stretched out his hand.
My heart beat grew stronger, but I took his hands.
Together, we stepped out of the room. Whatever awaited me next… I could already feel it changing everything.