Chapter 5 Dream pull

Alina Pov:

Vampires infiltrating the pack and attacking our members wasn't a minor issue-especially not the day before Nicola was set to take over. It was already being seen as a bad omen. So tell me why, in the middle of all this chaos, Jeremy couldn't wipe that stupid grin off his face.

"I've always thought those leeches needed a clean-up," he said with a smirk. "This just gives us a solid reason to act."

Mother shot him a look, arms crossed

"This isn't something to be excited about, Jeremy. People were hurt." I added, remembering how badly wounded the wolves were or my fate in the double forest

Jeremy's expression shifted, just slightly. "I know. But we need to act fast. First, we need to figure out how they got past the barrier and into the pack without Father being alerted. If they got in once, they can do it again. And we can't assume those were the only ones."

Father's brow furrowed. "You're suggesting there's a traitor."

"I'm saying it's a possibility," Jeremy replied. "Someone helped them-or at least turned a blind eye."

Mother sighed, her voice quiet but sharp. "We've kept the barrier protected for decades. If they slipped through now, someone inside knew how to make it happen."

Jeremy nodded. "Exactly. We need to assume there's an insider. Someone who knew how to bypass security or distract the patrols."

Father's jaw was tight. "You're both right. We'll begin a silent investigation, so the pack members won't get alarmed"

"And what if it's someone close?" I asked, voice low. "Someone we'd never suspect?"

Father looked at me then, tired but steady. "Then we find out the truth anyway. No matter who it is."

Jeremy actually seemed thoughtful for once. "Until then, we can't trust anyone outside this room. Not completely."

Mother's gaze shifted toward the window, her voice distant. "We've lost enough already. I won't lose any of you too." I could hear the sentiment in her voice, the reason we started clearing rouges

I watched Jeremy as he spoke. Sometimes I forget he's capable of more than just swinging fists. He could actually make a strong Alpha-if he didn't enjoy violence so much or maybe his violent tendencies was a good thing

The four of us stayed in that room longer than we meant to, going over details, names, possibilities. When we finally broke apart, the air still felt heavy

The pack house felt colder than usual when I made my way back to my room

***

Dreams weren't supposed to feel this real.

I stood in an endless void, the ground beneath me shifting like mist, neither solid nor liquid. A strange scent filled the air-earth after rain, sharp iron, and something darkly sweet. It curled around me like smoke, sinking into my skin.

I heard a sound from a distance

A whisper, deep and smooth, brushing against my ears like the wind through leaves.

"Come to me."

I spun around, my pulse hammering. Someone was there.

Shadows moved in the distance, twisting and curling until they took shape. A tall figure stepped forward, his face hidden by the gloom. But his eyes-silver, burning like molten moonlight-pinned me in place.

I tried to speak, but my throat locked. My body swayed forward, like something inside me recognized him.

A pull.

Not gentle. Not kind. It was a force deep in my bones, an invisible thread winding tight around my heart, dragging me toward him.

He raised a hand, and though there was still distance between us, I felt his fingers brush my skin. A shiver ran down my spine-pleasure, fear, something I couldn't name.

"You are close," he murmured, his voice curling around me like silk and steel. "But not ready."

A sudden, searing pain-like claws raking down my soul. I gasped, doubling over. The shadows twisted again, turning violent, and then-

"Wake up."

The command crashed into me like a wave.

I jolted upright in bed, sucking in air like I'd been drowning. My chest heaved, my skin damp with sweat, but it wasn't the heat that made me tremble.

It was the pull.

This wasn't just a dream.

I shoved the blankets off, my heart hammering. My mind screamed at me to ignore it, that I knew better, but my body moved on it's own. My mate-whoever he was-was out there. Waiting.

I moved swiftly, slipping on my boots and a dark hoodie along with a black pant, The packhouse was quiet, the halls cast in moonlight as I cracked my window open, the cool night air kissing my skin.

I took one last steadying breath.

Then I climbed out, heading for the double forest, I also need answers, if I was going to protect my pack from those vampires