Stuck with my Vampire Mate

28 - Uncle?

Someone grabbed me, shaking me violently. My body jerked, and my eyes snapped open, the force of it sending a jolt through my entire system. My breath came in sharp, ragged gasps, like I had been underwater and had just surfaced.

"Atty, get up. It's only a dream."

The voice cut through the lingering fog of fear, pulling me back. But I wasn't sure if I was fully awake. I was reluctant to open my eyes, terrified of what I might see, the weight of the nightmare still clinging to me like a second skin. My mind was still swimming in the remnants of Asmodeus's laughter, the cruel echo ringing in my ears.

"Atty, please. Return to your senses."

Slowly, unwillingly, I opened my eyes.

Cole? He was crouched beside the sofa, his expression tight with worry, his jaw clenched. I didn't think I would ever feel so relieved to see a werewolf. But there he was, his presence grounding, his fierce eyes softening as they met mine. My heart was still racing, my breath shallow, and I could barely find the words to speak, the terror still making my voice tremble.

"Asmodeus... I... I saw him."

The words escaped me in a rush, out of breath, like the nightmare was still trying to drag me back into it. I couldn't stop the shaking in my hands as I reached for the fabric of Cole's shirt, clutching it like it was the only thing keeping me from spiraling back into that void. Cole's grip on my arm tightened, his hand warm and steady, but his gaze was fierce, as though he were trying to absorb every ounce of what I had just said.

"In your dreams?" He asked, the words coming out clipped.

I nodded weakly, too drained to speak further.

"Shit." Cole cursed under his breath, his gaze hardening as he stood up. The concern in his eyes hadn't faded, but there was something else now. Realisation. "It means he's aware of your existence. He's making an attempt to communicate."

The information hit me like a punch to the gut. Asmodeus knew I existed. And he was reaching out... through my dreams. How had he found me?

"Communicate?" I echoed, trying to make sense of it. "And that too through dreams? Does he not have a phone?"

The absurdity of my own words hit me just as I said them. I couldn't help the sharp, almost hysterical laugh that escaped me. Of all the things to be terrified of, here I was wondering why an ancient demon couldn't just call me instead.

"I wish it was that simple. But dreams... they're his playground. Just understand that it's an unfavourable signal." Cole continued, his voice low and serious. "We might have to speed up our plans."

"Is he going to come after me?" My voice was small, barely discernible, as if even the act of speaking was too heavy a burden for my strained throat.

Cole's gaze darkened at my words, his features tightening, his expression shifting into something more guarded. Something more... protective.

"I swear that I will not let anything happen to you, okay?"

His voice was firm, unyielding, and there was an edge to it that I wasn't used to hearing. But despite the raw intensity in his tone, something about it made me feel—strangely—at ease. A sense of calm washed over me, though I couldn't understand why. Why did it feel so easy to trust him? Maybe it was the certainty in his words. Maybe it was the way he held my gaze, as though there was no room for doubt. Whatever it was, for the first time in hours, the crushing weight of fear seemed to lift just a little.

I nodded slowly, not trusting myself to speak. I took a slow breath, trying to return to some semblance of normalcy.

"Where's Ryan? And what time is it?" I asked, my voice a little steadier now.