6. Frost
Chapter six
Frost
I flop face first into my bed, my entire body aching. When Theo said that he’d made a list for me, I wasn’t expecting quite this much. A good day's work feels good but physically, I know my muscles are going to be screaming at me tomorrow. It’s worth it though, especially because of the hot shower I just took and the comfortable bed I’m about to pass out in.
The only regret I have from today is not being able to find the cutie from this morning. As my eyes slowly blink and my mind drifts, a new determination hits me. I will find him tonight, even if that means just watching his dream instead of joining it.
I can tell the moment I’m asleep. Everything has a foggy film to it. The space between people’s dreams is a wasteland of gray fog and nothingness. I’m more than capable of keeping myself here and letting everyone dream around me, but I get so bored so quickly. I don’t like invading people’s spaces but I’ll admit, I enjoy watching dreams from the sidelines. It helps me pass the time until morning, allowing my body to rest.
The first dream I stumble into is somewhat familiar. There’s a forest all around us but instead of a playful chase, there’s someone running through the forest in complete and utter terror. I realize very quickly that this isn’t just a dream, it’s a nightmare.
There are dark clouds overhead and deep, rumbling thunder in the distance. The person in the dream is running with everything they have as a dark figure chases after them.
No. This won’t do. I have the ability to chase this nightmare away and that’s exactly what I plan on doing. My old pack might have seen my abilities as nothing but a curse, but I’ve found that it has the capability of being a blessing in times like this.
I shift the dream slightly, changing the landscape until the clouds drift away and the sun comes out. Then I shift myself into my wolf form, becoming a giant, black wolf. I step into the dream fully, confronting the hulking shadowy figure. Baring my teeth and giving it my best snarl, the figure flinches back before eventually running away.
With the danger away, the person whose dream this belongs to has a chance to catch their breath. They give me a soft smile. The dream slowly morphs into something softer, something kinder to the owner. Once I know they’re safe from their own demons, I step out of the dream.
Back in the gray fog, I wander some more.
I stand outside a large house, the inside lit up with Christmas decorations. Stepping closer, I look inside, finding an omega standing before the giant tree. His stomach is round, his hands rubbing it gently.
Someone is dreaming about being home, pregnant, and happy. It’s a heartwarming scene yet at the same time, the longing is palpable. It feels like the omega wants this desperately to be real.
The longing is so strong it makes my teeth ache, sinking under my skin until my own longing is just as strong. It’s a reminder of how alone I am on the road.
Shaking my head, I continue through the fog.
The next dream I find makes me smile. It appears someone is in their regency romance era. I’ve walked straight into a masked ball.
Curiosity gets the better of me. I manifest an outfit into existence before stepping into the dream. I’m wearing plain pants and a matching shirt. The thing that makes me stand out is the black wolf mask that covers the upper half of my face and the black fur robe over my shoulders, clasped in the front with a gold chain. The robe flows down my back, hitting my calves.
It’s a nod to my shifter form yet keeps me within the confines of this particular dream world.
I look around, taking everything in. There are couples dancing as a band plays soft music. There’s a king and a queen on a raised platform, watching everything happening. Everyone here is faceless and stale but that’s not unusual for dreams. The only people with true features are usually the owners of the dream, the people they manifest into the dream that they know in real life, and me, of course.
It doesn’t take long for me to find the owner. My breath honest-to-gods catches when I see him. He’s wearing a gorgeous suit, tailored perfectly for his body in the most gorgeous purple color. His hair is longer than in the waking world, braided in intricate designs. His face is half covered with a peacock inspired mask.
He might be the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
I’m drawn towards him like a moth is drawn to a flame. My feet move without my permission, taking me across the ballroom towards the omega I can’t seem to stop thinking about. The music grows a bit louder, properly becoming the background soundtrack to our meeting.
Our eyes meet and I watch as his widen in surprise. I don’t know if it’s the fact that it’s me or the fact that someone is approaching him. If it’s the second, I can’t help but wonder why. He’s beautiful, I can’t imagine him not getting attention wherever he goes.
A serving person walks past me and I can’t help but grin. This truly feels like a scene from a romance novel as I pluck two tall glasses of champagne from the platter before finishing my walk over to short, fair, and handsome.
“Hello,” I say softly, passing one of the glasses over to him. “I saw you from across the ballroom and I couldn’t help but come over and meet you properly.”
He takes the glass from me, smiling up at me shyly. He takes a sip, tucking a lock of white hair behind his ear in the most adorable way. My heart is beating rapidly against my ribs as I watch him. I suddenly feel like the big bad wolf, watching my prey and my inner wolf chuffs happily at the idea.
From this close, I can smell him again. As subtly as I can, I take in a deep breath. I want to savor this. I want to memorize it so I can relive it when I’m awake in the morning.
“Thank you,” he finally says, his gray eyes snapping up to mine. “I’m Avery,” he says, holding out his hand for me.
Feeling bold, I carefully remove the white glove from his hand so that I can bring his bare skin to my mouth, kissing the back of his hand. Sparks dance across my lips. Our eyes stay locked as I do this and I watch with amusement as the gray of Avery’s eyes slowly fades, leaving behind glowing omega golden eyes.
Oh, he is stunning.
I stand to my full height. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“The pleasure is truly all mine.” Avery finishes his flute of champagne, handing it over to one of the servants before taking my hand in his own. “Dance with me.”
Who am I to say no? I follow behind Avery onto the dance floor. The music turns softer and I look around, watching how everyone around us is dancing so that I can properly mimic it.
Avery holds up his right hand and I hold up mine, our palms meeting between us. Then we begin to step with everyone else, making a small circle.
My stomach warms as we dance around each other, the couples around us all making space for us. I turn Avery before pulling him back to myself, my hand going around his waist to keep him against my chest. He stares up into my eyes and my knees grow weak.
“May I know the name of my dance partner?”
I miss a step but I do my best to keep us moving around the dance floor. I put on my best grin and chuckle darkly. As much as I crave Avery knowing who I am, in my experience, it’s best to do proper introductions outside of dreams.
Would he react the same way my pack did? Or would I finally have someone who accepts me, abilities and all?
“You may call me the big bad wolf.”
Avery smiles at that and my entire body warms. “Hence the mask and cloak?”
“Yes, do you like it?”
He runs his fingers over my shoulders, feeling the black fur for himself. “Very much so,” he admits softly. “Probably more than I should. You’re so mysterious and handsome.”
“How can you know that?” I ask with a chuckle. “I’m wearing a mask.”
“You have an incredibly dashing smile. And there’s something oddly familiar about you, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
“Is that so?” I spin him again before he can figure out I’m his cabin neighbor. His giggle sounds throughout the ballroom and I mirror it, feeling warm affection building inside my stomach, brimming so full so quickly there’s a real possibility it’ll start to bubble over.
We continue to dance through a handful of songs that the band plays. We’re breathless and sweating by the time Avery decides he’s had enough.
“Will you join me for a moonlit stroll to cool down, my big bad wolf?”
My heart skips a beat. It feels like a leash is suddenly clicking into place around my heart and Avery holds the other end of it. I’m powerless to do anything but follow behind him like a lovesick puppy.
“I would be delighted,” I tell him, holding out my arm for him to take. A shiver runs through me as he hooks his hand into my elbow. He gives me a soft squeeze as we make our way outside.
The air is cool and with a thought, I manipulate the dreamscape around us ever so slightly. The cobblestone clicks against our boots as we make our way down the path to a water fountain. There are fireflies all around, lighting our way, and the stars are unnaturally bright above us.
The sight is breathtaking and it’s all for Avery.
I don’t even truly know this man but I find myself falling for him. How is that even possible? Gods, I’ve never felt anything like this before but I find myself wanting to chase this feeling.
“Thank you for such a wonderful evening. I’m sure there were others vying for your attention.”
“None of them held a candle to you, Avery,” I tell him seriously. I guide him until we’re both sitting against the edge of the fountain, the soft trickling of water behind us. “I was the lucky one, because you chose to dance with me.”
Avery blushes hotly under his mask. Gods, he’s so beautiful like this, flustered and speechless. He shakes his head and looks away.
“I’m a ridiculous man.”
“And why is that?” I ask him, rubbing my thumb over the pulsepoint of his wrist.
“It seems I’m falling for a man who’s not even real,” he says with a snort. “How pathetic is that?”
“Hey,” I say, squeezing his hand and forcing him to look at me. “Just because this is a dream, doesn’t mean this isn’t real. Find me in the waking world, Avery.”
“If you’re actually real then I’ll find you,” he finally says. Then his smile softens. “But until I wake up, let’s make the most of tonight, big bad. Kiss me.”
Gods, I want that. I want that more than I’ve ever wanted anything before in my life. But it wouldn’t be right. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“I do. I think it might be the most wonderful idea I’ve ever had,” he says with a smile. “Please? When I’m awake, I have a hard time talking to people. I just want this. I want you, even if it’s only once while I’m dreaming.”
Avery leans forward and my breath is stolen from my lungs. He’s so close I can feel the heat from his body. His warm, peachy scent hits my nose and I’m completely and utterly lost. My entire being aches for him in a way I can’t process. My instincts are repeating Avery, Avery, Avery over and over as a mantra inside of me.
I mirror him against my better judgment, leaning into his space. His eyes never leave mine and I feel trapped in his gaze. Our faces grow closer and closer until there’s only the tiniest space between our lips. Just as we’re about to finally kiss, the dream fizzles out completely.
I open my eyes, staring up at my ceiling in my room once more.
A shaky breath leaves me. My fingers touch my lips. I was about to kiss Avery but something must have woken him up before we could.
As much as I’m disappointed, I’m also glad. I want our first kiss to be outside of a dream. I want our first kiss to happen with him knowing me, fully.
The chase officially begins. I know whose dream I was in, but now I need to actually talk to him while we’re both awake. I wanna win him over, properly. Just as soon as I finish the monster list of jobs Theo has for me.