Chapter 36

Dahlia shot up from the bed with a gasp. She ran her hand over her forehead and looked around. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she realized she was in a room. A room she now shared with Gerard. She looked down to see him asleep, his chest rising and falling steadily. She sighed and lay down to rest, placing her head on his chest.

"That same nightmare again?" Dahlia was startled by his voice. He was awake, after all. She opened her eyes and raised her head up to peer at him. He gave her a concerned look.

"Yes." She rested her head on his chest again and he rubbed his hand over her back soothingly. For a while, all was silent as the couple tried to process the situation. Ever since she was rescued, Dahlia had stayed in Gerard's house. She had finally met Jeremy after he came out of his unconscious state and after a round of thanks and apologies, things were steady between them. Mandy, however, was more difficult to convince but after a while, she came to. But bonding with the werewolves was the least of her problems. For several nights after moving in with Gerard, she was plagued with nightmares, each horrendous than the last.

"The witch again?" Gerard yawned tiredly as he tried to think of how he would make it to school on time later that morning.

"Yes," Dahlia replied. "And she keeps looking more monstrous each time. She keeps saying the same thing. 'You will return.'"

Dahlia paused and worry filled her eyes.

"Gerard, I'm frightened. This woman will stop at nothing and she is not to be underestimated. Her constant use of these psychological attacks is becoming overbearing."

"Hey, hey," Gerard whispered. "I'm here. We are all here. As long as you stay with us, she can't get to you. She can only try.Just trust us and have faith in us, okay?"

Dahlia nodded in a him and she saw Gerard shut his eyes as slumber took over. As she drifted into a slumber of her own, she prayed that he was right.

****

Jeremy knocked at the door of the White household. As he heard footsteps approach and he detected the scent of Gabi, he said a silent prayer within.

"Jeremy." Gabi smiled as he opened the door. "It's good to—"

Gabi nearly choked on his words as he saw the teen before him. His eyes went to Jeremy's hair which was made in cornrows and he stiff led a laugh. Jeremy groaned inwardly.

"What the..." Gabi's eyes crinkled at the sides. "I mean..ahem.. you made your hair?"

"Long story," Jeremy grumbled as Gabi made way for him to step inside. Gabi took note of what looked like a large rolled up cardboard paper in his hand.

"Jeremy." Felicia's voice was heard as she stepped out of the kitchen, Mandy towing behind. "It's been..."

Felicia blanched at the spot and Mandy nearly ran into her. Felicia gaped at the boy before her.

"Your...your hair." She pointed.

"Hello, Mrs White," Jeremy muttered with a frown. He saw Mandy giggle beside her mother and he narrowed his eyes.

"You braided it?" Felicia said. "Wow... that's..nice."

"I told you it looked cute on you." Mandy smiled innocently.

"Wow, thanks," Jeremy said dryly.

"It's not terrible. It actually looks nice," Felicia said, her tone laced with sincerity. "I just didn't expect you to well...you know.."

"I understand, Mrs White," Jeremy said and then turned to Gabi who had now closed the door and walked past him. "Like I said, it's a long story."

"So what's with the cardboard paper?" Gabi pointed to the rolled up paper in Jeremy's hold. Mandy and Felicia gazed at it curiously.

"Oh, yeah. This is a blue print," Jeremy replied. "If you would please.."

He gestured to the kitchen.

"Sure," Gabi replied and led the way to the kitchen, the rest following behind. Jeremy unrolled the paper on the table and everyone peered at it. It displayed the diagram of what looked to be a house. It almost resembled a large cabin.

"Wow," Gabi said. "What's this?"

"It's the house I want to stay in after the war," Jeremy said. "After my encounter in the spirit realm, I believe it would be good if I can connect more with my ancestors. This house would be built on that sport where Alpha Lucas's cabin used to be."

"You're moving away from Georgia after the war?" Gabi asked with wide eyes. Felicia mirrored his expression and Mandy bit her lip softly in worry. Jeremy spared her a glance and turned back to her father.

"Yes, Mr. White," Jeremy replied. "I'm the last line of the fallen red wing pack and I know now that my destiny is not just to defeat Dominic. It is also to rebuild the pack and home of my fallen ancestors. Mr White, I need your help. You're into estate management and you have a friend who is an architect. Can you make this possible?"

Gabi thought long and hard about the issue. He glanced at his wife who looked a bit crestfallen. His gaze shifted to Mandy who looked like she wanted to cry.

"I understand what you mean,Jeremy." Gabi faced Jeremy. "And yes, it is possible. Building the house is not the problem. And for you to make this suggestion and bring this blue print here means you somehow have the expenses covered. You must have planned ahead for this. You're that smart, I know that."

Jeremy smiled but said nothing.

"But what are your further plans?" Gabi asked him, his eyes darting in a split second to Mandy and back to him. It was a quick move, but Jeremy was smart enough to detect it.

"Don't worry about that, Mr White," he replied and his gaze shifted to Mandy.

"I'll cross that bridge when I get there." He smirked.