Chapter 0179

The bath and meal left me utterly drained. I'm grateful Sebastian doesn't press me with more questions. The thought of Valeria growing stronger terrifies me—what if we're discovered? Yet, having my wolf back thrills me to the core. She's been more active since we woke, far more than in recent years. Maybe she'll regain enough strength for us to escape before Sebastian learns the truth.

I don't recall drifting off, but suddenly I'm back in that nightmare. The feeding room. The screams. The metallic stench of blood. My mind knows it's a dream, but my body reacts as if it's real. Prince Damien's crimson eyes lock onto me, his fangs glinting.

"You thought you could run?" His voice is a venomous snarl. "You're mine. Always mine." He seizes my head, wrenching my neck to the side. The pain explodes as his fangs pierce my skin.

I jolt upright, screaming, my hands flying to my throat. The phantom pain lingers. My cries don't stop until a massive wolf—golden fur gleaming in the moonlight—crashes through my door.

Dorian.

He leaps onto the bed, his warmth enveloping me, his forest scent drowning out the nightmare. I clutch his fur, burying my face against his neck. He settles over me like a living blanket.

"Is she alright, Alpha?" Nathaniel's voice comes from the doorway.

I can't respond. Can't let go. Dorian is my anchor.

Sebastian must have mind-linked him, because Nathaniel's footsteps retreat down the hall.

Dorian rumbles deep in his chest, a sound like a purr. It steadies my breathing. He nuzzles my face, my neck, patient as my death grip on him slowly eases.

When his heat finally melts the icy fear in my veins, I loosen my hold. "Sorry," I whisper into his fur.

He chuffs softly. As I calm, I realize just how enormous he is—larger than my father's wolf, his body longer than my human form. An Alpha's stature.

I lean back to meet his dark eyes. "You must be Dorian."

His tongue swipes my nose, making me giggle. I stroke his fur in the dim light. "You're enormous. And stunning." My fingers sink into the silken strands. "So soft." He nudges my hand insistently. I laugh. "You like that, huh?" A quiet woof answers me.

We stay like that—his weight grounding me. Then he whines, questioning.

"Just a nightmare." My voice cracks. "I was back there. In the feeding room." I swallow hard. "Prince Damien... he said he'd found me. That I belong to him." Dorian's growl vibrates through me. "I can't go back," I whisper.

He licks the tears from my cheeks until I'm calm again. There's something meditative about petting him, the rhythmic motion soothing my frayed nerves.

"I'm okay now," I murmur. "You don't have to stay."

He lifts his head, huffs at me, then licks my nose once more before resting his heavy skull on my chest. His presence says everything words can't: I'm not going anywhere.