Return of The Blood Wolf: Ashes Rise

Chapter 43 - Phoenix

In the dimly lit chamber, I clung to Draegon as if he were my lifeline. His strong arms had enveloped me in a protective embrace, offering solace in the wake of a nightmarish dream. My heart still raced from the horrors that had played out in my mind, but Draegon's presence had a soothing effect.

As time passed, the intensity of my fear began to ebb. I felt my trembling gradually subside, and the frantic pounding of my heart gave way to a slower, steadier rhythm. The vivid images of my pack suffering because of my inability to control my wolf's primal instincts faded into the recesses of my mind.

Sensing that I was beginning to regain my composure, Draegon gently lowered me to my feet. Reluctantly, I released my grip on him, my fingers trailing over his hand as if trying to hold onto his presence just a little longer. I knew he was there to reassure me, to help me find my footing, but the thought of being without his comforting embrace left me feeling vulnerable.

"Draegon," I whispered, my voice laced with a mixture of gratitude and reluctance, "thank you for being here."

His black eyes met mine, a flicker of understanding passing between us. "I'll always be here for you, Phoenix," he replied softly, his voice filled with a sincerity that resonated deep within me.

As he made a move to step away, my hand instinctively reached out, grasping his wrist. I didn't want him to go, not yet. The connection we shared, the bond between a blood wolf and their anchor, was a powerful force that I didn't fully comprehend, but I knew that Draegon's presence was essential to my peace of mind.

"Draegon, please," I implored, my eyes searching his, "stay with me a little longer."

Without a word, he nodded and settled back down beside me, his arm once again wrapping around me. I leaned into his warmth, my head resting against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart. It was a comforting lullaby that slowly eased my anxiety.

As the minutes ticked by, fatigue began to weigh down on me, and the weight of the night's events pressed upon my shoulders. In Draegon's protective embrace, I felt safe and secure, and my eyelids grew heavy. Unable to fight the exhaustion any longer, I surrendered to sleep, knowing that he would watch over me, guarding against the nightmares that had plagued me earlier.

In his arms, I found a sense of peace and comfort that I hadn't experienced in a long time. As I drifted into slumber, my dreams were no longer filled with chaos and darkness but were instead bathed in the warmth of a newfound connection.