While contemplating potential methods to express my affection for her, I hear faint whimpers emanating from the bed. I rise immediately and discover Ricky weeping in her slumber, her shoulders quaking with each sob. Bray stirs in her embrace, yet even he cannot halt the tears cascading down her lovely cheeks.
My heart aches witnessing her distress, and I find it challenging to identify a resolution.
I may need to rouse her, so terminating the nightmare she is experiencing.
However, this would expose you to the possibility of her vociferously rebuking you for disturbing her slumber, Jimmy observes.
What is your recommendation? I respond abruptly.
He suggests holding her hand, as it appeared to alleviate her fear of the Queen. She permitted you to grasp her hand.
I observe her petite hand resting on her son’s abdomen, cradling him to her chest while I pause before making contact.
Why Aldo?”Ricky’s nocturnal murmurs resonate within me as her anguish penetrates the core of my being. “Why?”
More tears cascaded down her cheeks, a gentle sob departing her lips. I was unaware of Aldo’s identity, but I was resolute in one conviction: I would ensure he faced consequences for shattering her heart.
With utmost caution, I extend my hand to hers, intertwining our fingers and caressing the surface of her hand with my thumb. For several seconds, I hold my breath, anticipating her awakening and reprimanding me for the contact. To my astonishment, she instead tightens her grasp and draws my hand to her chest. A portion of my body hovers above her, paralysed by the fear of disrupting the tranquilly I have seemingly bestowed upon her.
The warm sparks are alluring, my body urging me to embrace her… Yet, I refrain. Once I possess her in my arms, I realise I would be unable to release her.
I choose to sit alongside her, monitoring her until she ceases weeping and descends into a profound slumber.
Individually, I release her fingers from my hand and delicately extricate it from her hold, ensuring I do not disrupt her tranquilly. I retreat into my mound of blankets, reassured by her well-being, and ultimately succumb to slumber.
—
The sunlight streaming through the window warms my face, heralding the arrival of a new day. With my eyes still shut, I extend my arms and legs, emitting a loud, fatigued yawn. Prior to opening my eyes, a chilling scream pierces my ears, causing my heart to race instantly.
Bray!
Laura’s Perspective
The intense light filtering through the window irritates my swollen eyes, prompting a soft groan. I am reluctant to awaken, especially after the distressing night filled with nightmares. Seeking solace, I extend my hand in search of Bray. However, my eyes widen in shock upon discovering the bed empty, his side cold to the touch.
“Bray?” I gasp, scanning the room anxiously, my heart plummeting. “Bray!” I shout, tears welling in my eyes as the horrors of last night’s dreams resurface.
Jadi’s head emerges from my side of the room, and I glance over to observe Bray nestled beside him, clutching his plush wolf. Jadi appears similarly perplexed to discover the pup curled up against him, his body tensing in response to my quiet.
How did he down there? I ponder as I hastily rise from bed to retrieve him. It is inconsequential, I admonish myself. I am merely relieved that he is unharmed.
I tenderly lift the drowsy puppy, cradling him to my b****t as tears cascade down my cheeks. Bray murmurs a greeting, his languid voice comforting my heart. I embrace him firmly, a soft sob escaping my throat.
“He will not take you,” I murmur to myself as running my fingers through his lovely hair. “I will not permit him to take you.”
I disregard Jadi’s anguished expression, indifferent to the likelihood that I appeared deranged to him.
“Are you well, Mother?” Bray enquires when I eventually relax my embrace. He withdraws from my arms and prods my eyes and cheeks, gazing at me with adorable wrinkled brows. “You appear unwell.”
I pretend to be wounded by his remarks and suppress my laughing. “Am I unattractive?” I enquire.
He shakes his head resolutely. “Bonnie, Bonnie,” he vocalises. “I possess the most beautiful mother in the entire world!” He exclaims, causing my ears to ring from the abrupt volume of his voice.
I bestow kisses onto his plump cheeks, feeling reassured by the absence of solitude in these cave of wolves.
“Where did you go?” I enquire. “Why did you choose to sleep on the floor with Jadi?”
Bray manipulates his toy wolf before murmuring near my ear.
“I experienced a nightmare,” he states, embracing his wolf fervently. “A formidable wolf arrived to abduct me.”
My heart nearly ceases as the blood departs from my visage. I desire to scream, however my words remain unexpressed. Throughout the night, I envisioned Aldo locating us and seizing Bray from me, eliminating me as he had done years prior.
