Unexpected Comfort

Lily POV

I woke up screaming.

The nightmare felt so real - Caleb's empty eyes staring at nothing while I shook his lifeless body, asking him to remember me. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst from my chest.

"Lily!" Someone crashed through my bedroom door. I expected Aiden or maybe Elder Iris, but it was Brock who rushed to my bedside. His usual tough look melted into worry when he saw my tear-streaked face.

"Another nightmare?" he asked quietly.

I nodded, unable to speak. These dreams had been haunting me for three days straight since we returned from the rite site. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Caleb looking at me like I was a stranger. The mate bond we'd fought so hard to protect felt like a thin thread ready to snap.

"Tell me about it," Brock said, sitting on the edge of my bed. His voice was softer than I'd ever heard it.