Alpha Hole

Ch. 44

I stepped out of the bath, water still clinging to my skin, and wrapped myself in a towel before the chill of our room caused chill bumps to erupt over my skin.

My eyes drifted to the dressing table where my necklace lay, its delicate chain glinting in the morning light. Like with the first time I'd put it on, a strange twinge in my gut pulled me to it.

Before I could think better of it, I picked up the necklace. My fingers trembled slightly as I fastened it around my neck. The world around me blurred, and for a heart-stopping moment, I felt like I was falling.

When my vision cleared, I was no longer in my bedroom or in my aunt's apartment in the pack-house. Instead, I stood in a dimly lit room of an ancient looking cottage. The air was thick with an unfamiliar scent. And before me was a figure cloaked in shadows, their presence imposing and unnerving.

"Who are you?" I demanded, stumbling backward in my towel, as my feet shuffled over the rough wooden floor.

The figure stepped forward, revealing a woman with pleading green eyes and a scar that ran down her cheek. "Please listen, there's no time for introductions," she said urgently. "You must be careful. There is a group that wants you for their own bidding."

My heart pounded. "What?" I stammered completely thrown by her admission. "Who- wants me?"

"Dark forces are moving against you," she continued, her gaze intense. "They seek to use you, to control your power. Even now, they are watching, waiting for the right moment to strike."

The room began to blur again, her voice echoing in my mind. "Be safe child and keep your head about you."

The world shifted, and I found myself back in my bedroom, gripping the edge of the dressing table for support. My breaths came in shallow gasps, my mind reeling from the encounter.

I didn't have time to process as Jaxson entered the room. His smile melted and concern etched across his handsome features. "Layla, are you alright?"

I forced a smile, shaking my head to clear it. "Yeah, just... got a bit too hot in the bath I think."

He studied me for a moment, his eyes searching mine. "Okay."

"I'm," I said, my heart still racing. I couldn't tell him about the necklace—not yet.

Jaxson moved closer, his presence a balm to my frazzled nerves. "I have to go to the packhouse to meet with my father. Are you going to be okay?"

I nodded, trying to appear nonchalant. "I'll be fine. Jenna is coming over to help me get ready for the bonfire."

He kissed my forehead, his lips warm and reassuring. "I'll see you there."

I nodded, a forced close lipped smile spread across my mouth. The moment the door closed behind him, I let out a shaky breath.

I grabbed the necklace and unfastened it, taking it to the jewelry cabinet in my closet. I wanted rid of the thing now. I grabbed a pair of leggings and a soft sweater.

Dressing, I did my best to convince myself to that the woman was crazy. How would she have known who I was anyway. She was a complete stranger.

A knock at the door alluded to Jenna's arrival. I took the stairs down to the bottom floor, letting her in after peeking through the peephole in the door. "So— I may have heard that a certain sexy alpha was sporting something new at the pack house a little while ago. " she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief .

I smile sheepishly. "News travels fast here."

"It does— especially when it has to do with something this important." She said toning her excitement down just a bit when she realized how embarrassed I was about the situation.