Moonlit Guardians

4

My eyes drifted open languidly, the weight of my eyelids like feathers, fluttering open and closed in a slow, dreamy dance. In the distance, the gentle creak of a car door opening whispered through the air, stirring me from my slumber. Suddenly, a familiar warmth enveloped me as strong arms encircled my body, effortlessly lifting me as if I were weightless.

My eyes continued their lazy rhythm of opening and closing, the haze of sleep still clinging to my senses. My cheek brushed against the velvety softness of a warm chest, and for a fleeting moment, I wondered if I had drifted into a dream. It felt as though I were floating on a soft cloud, suspended in a serene and surreal world.

I heard the gentle crunch of gravel underfoot, a faint echo that seemed distant yet somehow intimate. Despite the soft sound, I clung stubbornly to the edges of a dazed trance, my eyelids squeezed shut against the encroaching reality.

A delicate aroma of freshly baked blueberry muffins teased my senses. It was a scent that spoke of warmth and home, weaving its way into the fabric of my sleepy consciousness.

Then, abruptly, the sharp click of a door opening shattered the fragile cocoon of peace I had briefly ensconced myself in. The sound was surprisingly loud in the tranquil atmosphere, jolting me just enough to elicit a soft whine that escaped my lips involuntarily.

In that very moment, I yearned to linger, to dwell in the sanctuary of half-slumber where time seemed to slow and worries melted away. It was a haven, a refuge of solace that had eluded me for what felt like an eternity. This fleeting comfort was more than just a moment; it was a lifeline in the tumultuous sea of the past six months.

"Shh, you're safe," a deep, familiar voice soothed, its warmth like a gentle caress against my ear, coaxing me towards sleep. Around me, I sensed soft whispers and distant footsteps, but I nestled closer to Jacob's strong chest blocking out the noise.

Time slipped by unnoticed until the comforting warmth enveloping me began to pull away, drawing a reluctant murmur of protest from my lips. Gradually, the sensation of being cradled shifted to the embrace of a soft bed, pillows supporting my head, and a gentle blanket wrapping itself tightly around me.

My eyelids fluttered open reluctantly, revealing Jacob's captivating hazel eyes gazing back at me, filled with emotion. A tender hand brushed stray strands of hair from my face, a gesture so sweet I felt a pool of warmth fill in my belly.

"Rest now," he whispered lowly, his touch gentle against my cheek. I tried to muster a word of gratitude, but all that escaped was a faint hum as weariness and the weight of the day's tumultuous events pulled me back into the comforting embrace of sleep.

.......

As the morning light filtered through the curtains, I stirred from my restless sleep, the events of the previous day slowly returning to my consciousness. The warmth of Jacob's presence now gone as I felt a shiver run through my bones.

I sat up, yawning and stretching, feeling the bed's softness beneath me and the gentle support of the pillows. The ache in my body reminded me vividly of what had happened.

I turned to the window and noticed the world outside waking up—birds chirping their morning songs and sunlight spilling into the room. Right away, I started wondering where Jacob had gone. 

Panic hit me hard, and I could feel it racing through my veins as I took in the strange room around me. My heart was pounding, and the anxiety was tightening its grip, especially since Jacob was nowhere to be found. Was this the pack house he mentioned? Where had he gone? A million thoughts raced through my mind, leaving me frozen on the edge of the bed, feeling helpless and scared.