CHAPTER 45

Maya's POV

I was roused from my restless slumber by the faint whisper that began again, as gentle as a breath across my ear. I clutched the blanket to my chest as I sat up, my heart racing. I briefly doubted whether I was awake or still dreaming because of the unsettling shadows from the moonlight coming through the window.

“Maya,” the voice said softly, a murmur coming from nowhere and everywhere.

The tug was too strong to ignore, so I shut my eyes. It was more than a sound; it was a presence that drew on a deep part of me. After a long period of silence, my wolf gave a slight movement.

“Who are you?” My voice shook as I whispered into the darkness.

The sole response was an intense burst of wind that shook the window panes. My heart pounded as a wave of uneasiness descended upon me. This was no ordinary dream.

“Another dream?” My thoughts were interrupted by Evelyn’s voice as she walked into the room, and her piercing eyes fell on my shaking hands.

“Yes,” I said in a hardly audible voice. “But it’s different this time. It’s... louder. Clearer.”

With a contemplative face, Evelyn sat next to me. Do you think it’s connected to your wolf? Or something... else?”

“I don’t know.” I admitted. “It feels ancient, like it’s been waiting for me for a long time. And it’s calling me somewhere, but I don’t know where.”

“You need to tell Darius,” Evelyn said firmly, but I shook my head.

“He’s already burdened with enough,” I argued. “The pack, the Phantom threat... I can’t add this to his worries.”

Evelyn scowled without pressing. She put her reassuring hand on mine. “Maya, you can’t handle this by yourself. Whatever it is, it will not go away.”

After she left, I thought about what she said for a long time. Of course, she was right. However, I was hampered by my concern about what Darius might think. Would he think I was weak, a liability when I need to be strong?

Later that day, I found Darius looking over old scrolls and maps in the strategy room. His brows were knit in intense focus, and his jaw was fixed. My breath caught because of his magnetic strength, even in the middle of his intensity.

I paused in the doorway, unsure if I should bother him. But, he looked up as if he could sense me, and his dark eyes softened as they met mine.

“Maya,” he said, standing and crossing the room to me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I hurriedly answered, forcing a feeble smile.

He arched an eyebrow, obviously not convinced. “You’ve been restless all day. Talk to me.”

“I’ve been having dreams.” I said, quivering a little. “And there’s this voice... It’s calling me. I think it’s trying to lead me somewhere.”

His expression darkened instantly. “Dreams? Voices? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because I didn’t want to bother you,” I said. “You’re already dealing with enough.”

Darius sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Maya, you are not a burden. Whatever this is, we’ll face it together. Always.”

His words struck me harder than I expected, and my resolve eroded.“I’m scared, Darius,” I whispered.

His warmth chased away the chill that had crept into my bones as he drew me into his arms. “I will always keep you safe,” he swore.

Even though his words were supposed to reassure me, I remained uneasy. I couldn’t eliminate the feeling that the whispers were warning me of something much bigger than my dreams; they were infiltrating my reality.

Darius spent the rest of the day researching the Phantom Pack’s history to find any link to the whispers in my nightmares. I remained by his side because I couldn’t eliminate the uneasiness that pervaded my gut.

“What if this is connected to the prophecy?” I asked as I watched him flip through an ancient text.

“It’s possible.” He said In a somber tone. “But we need more information. The Phantom Pack’s past is unclear, and its intentions have always been mysterious.

“Is it possible that it’s not just the Phantom Pack?” I applied pressure. “What if there’s more going on here?”

Darius looked at me, his expression unreadable. “Then we’ll face it. Together.”

As I lay in bed that night, the whispers became louder and more persistent.

“Maya.” The voice shouted out, and the room echoed with an unearthly quality.

I sat up, my breath catching as I felt a strange pull toward the window. The moonlight seemed to shimmer, taking on an almost ethereal glow.

“Come to me,” the voice urged, and this time, I couldn’t resist.

With the cool night air stinging my skin, I got out of bed and strolled out onto the balcony. Despite the dark and ominous forest that loomed before me, I couldn’t help but want to follow the voice.

“Maya!”

When I heard Darius’s voice, I was startled out of my reverie and turned to see him standing in the doorway with a worried and angry look.

“What are you doing out here?” He walked toward me and demanded.

“I don’t know,” I stammered. “The Voice—”

“No,” he interrupted, his hands gripping my shoulders. “You’re not going anywhere alone. Whatever this is, it’s not safe.”

“I wasn’t going to leave.” I said, my voice trembling.

Darius’s grip softened, and he pulled me into his arms. “You scared me,” he admitted, his breath warm against my hair.

“I’m sorry.” With my face buried in his chest, I muttered.

We remained in that position for a brief instant, encircling one another. I knew this was just the beginning since the whispers continued.

As the days went by, the voices became more persistent, creeping into my conscious life and making it harder to distinguish between dreams and reality. I could see the fear in Darius’s eyes, but he was always by my side, keeping me grounded.

“We’ll find the source,” he promised one night as we sat together in the moonlight.

I nodded, but deep down, I wondered if the source was something we were ready to face.

As Darius held me close, a chilling realization washed over me the whispers weren’t just calling me. They were warning me. Something was approaching, and it was closer than I thought.