Chapter 85 – The White Wolf’s Crown
I woke up calm. That alone should have frightened me. For weeks, months, maybe longer, sleep had been a battlefield. Every night dragged me into the same recurring dream, the same ache in my chest that followed me into morning. I had grown used to waking with my heart racing, my body tense, my mind already exhausted before the day even began.
But this morning was different. I lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, waiting for the familiar weight to settle on my chest. It never came. My breathing was steady. My thoughts were clear. My body felt… light.
Peaceful. I frowned slightly, confused by the feeling. And then the memory of the dream returned. It hadn’t been dark. No blood, no fear, no screams echoing through endless woods.
Instead, I had been standing in a vast open clearing under a pale sky, the air cool and clean. The ground beneath my feet had been silver-white grass that shimmered softly, like it was touched by moonlight.
In the center of the clearing stood a wolf. A white wolf. Not just white–spotless. Its fur looked like freshly fallen snow, untouched, pure. It was larger than any wolf I had ever seen, its presence commanding without being threatening. Its eyes were calm and impossibly kind.
Around it, wolves gathered–forming a wide circle. They watched in silence, their heads lowered in respect.
Then someone stepped forward. I couldn’t see who it was. The figure was cloaked in light, their face hidden, their presence gentle yet powerful. In their hands was a crown–not gold, but woven of light and bone and something ancient I couldn’t name.
Slowly, carefully, they placed the crown upon the white wolf’s head. The moment the crown touched its fur, a warmth spread through the clearing. Not heat–comfort. Belonging. Completion.
The white wolf lifted its head, eyes glowing softly. And I felt… hope. Like something broken had finally found its way back to where it belonged.
Then I woke up. No jolt, no panic, just calm.
I sat up slowly in bed, my fingers tightening around the blanket as I tried to understand what I had seen.
“What was that?” I whispered to the empty room.
My regular dream–the one that haunted me–had been gone. Completely replaced. And whatever this new dream was, it felt important. Like a message I hadn’t learned how to read yet.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood, pacing slowly as my thoughts tangled.
My first thought–instinctive and raw–was my sister.
The sister I had only just learned about yesterday from Ma’am Albright. The sister whose existence had cracked something open inside me that I didn’t even know was sealed shut.
Could it have been her? “She was special,” I murmured to myself. “Ma’am Albright said so.”
But then another question rose, sharp and logical, slicing through the emotion. Why would a dead wolf be crowned? Death was loss. Silence. Endings.
But crowns were for beginnings and leadership. Then I thought, maybe it wasn’t my sister. Maybe it was about something else entirely.
Before I could spiral further, my phone rang. The sudden sound startled me, and I glanced at the screen. Seraphina.
A small smile tugged at my lips despite the confusion still swirling in my head. I answered the call. “Hello?”
“Elara!” Seraphina’s voice burst through the phone, bright and overflowing with energy. “Oh my goodness, you picked up so fast!”
I laughed softly. “Good morning to you too. You sound… happy.”
“I am happy,” she said, practically bouncing through the speaker. “Like, ridiculously happy.”
I leaned against the headboard of the bed. “Okay, now you’ve got my attention. What’s going on?”
“First of all,” she said, “how are you doing?” The question slowed me down. I exhaled.
“I’m… okay,” I said honestly. “Better than okay, actually.”
“That’s good,” she replied warmly. “I was worried about you after everything yesterday.”
I hesitated, then added, “I had a strange dream.”
“Strange how?” she asked, her tone instantly curious. “It was different from my usual one,” I said. “Peaceful. I saw a white wolf being crowned.”
There was a pause on the line. “A white wolf?” Seraphina repeated. “Yeah,” I said. “It felt important. I just don’t know why.”
“Well,” she said lightly, “at least it wasn’t terrifying. I’ll take strange and peaceful over nightmare, any day.” I smiled. “Same, but why does it sound like you’re about to explode?”
Seraphina laughed. “Because I’m seeing someone.” I blinked. “Wait–what?”
“I’m seeing someone,” she repeated, slower this time, like she wanted me to savor every word. “I went on a date yesterday.”
My confusion vanished, replaced by surprise and delight. “Seraphina, that’s huge! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Because I wanted to make sure it actually happened before I said anything,” she replied.
“Well, congratulations,” I said, grinning. “How was the date?”
“It was amazing,” she said without hesitation. “Like, actually amazing.”
“That good?” I teased. “That good,” she confirmed. “He’s charming, confident, attentive–and get this.” I waited. “He’s rich.” I burst out laughing. “Of course he is.”
“I’m serious,” she said defensively, though I could hear the smile in her voice. “Like, very rich.”
“Seraphina,” I said, amused, “is that the first thing you’re telling me about him?”
“Yes,” she replied immediately. “And the second thing is that he’s handsome.”
I shook my head, still smiling. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I know,” she said proudly.
“But do you actually like him?” I asked. “Not just his money or his face. Him.” She didn’t even pause.
“Of course I like him,” she said. “He’s rich and handsome. That’s all I need to like him.”
I laughed again, this time louder. “You sound exactly like yourself. I’m happy for you,” I said sincerely. “You deserve that.”
“Thank you,” she said. “So,” I asked, “when do I get to meet this mysterious rich guy?”
“Not yet,” she said quickly. “We’re trying to keep things private for now.”
“Private?” I teased. “Since when do you do private?”
She laughed. “Since now. Just until we get very serious. Then I’ll introduce him to you properly.”
I hummed thoughtfully. “That sounds… promising.”
“It is,” she said. “I have a good feeling about this one.”
“I’m really glad you called,” I said. “I needed to hear your voice.” she replied.
I leaned back against the pillow, my earlier confusion easing just a little as her joy filled the space between us.