* Claire's POV *
I was walking through a dense forest, the thick canopy overhead blocking out the light of the sun. I felt a sense of familiarity in my surroundings, as if I had been here before. I was surrounded by tall trees and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers filled the air. As I continued walking, I noticed that the forest was becoming darker and more ominous.
But then I spotted a white wolf in the distance. It was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen, with fur as white as snow and eyes that gleamed like diamonds. I felt a sense of awe and fascination, and I knew that I had to get closer.
I began to follow the wolf, feeling as if it were leading me somewhere important. As I got closer, I noticed that the wolf seemed familiar to me, almost like an old friend. I felt a sense of comfort in its presence, and I knew that I was safe.
However, that comfort was short-lived. As I reached out to touch the wolf, it suddenly turned around and bared its teeth at me. I was taken aback, the sudden change in behavior completely unexpected. The wolf's eyes were fierce and wild, and I knew that it was about to attack me.
I tried to back away, but I found that I was rooted to the spot. I was paralyzed with fear, unable to move as the wolf lunged at me, its jaws open wide. I braced myself for the impact, but before it could reach me, I woke up, gasping for air.
The dream was so vivid, it felt as if it were real. I was left with a feeling of unease, wondering what it could possibly mean. Was it a warning of some kind? Or simply my subconscious playing tricks on me? I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to it, something I was meant to understand.
I laid in bed for a very long time, feeling disoriented and confused. It took me a while before I remembered that I had been brought here by William after the werewolf attack in Manhattan, and I had no idea what was going on. I looked over at him, but he was fast asleep, his breathing deep and steady. He looked so peaceful that I didn't want to wake him, especially after the day he had yesterday.
Sarah was sleeping in her crib, and I was glad that she hadn’t woken up yet. In a few hours, she would be awake and ready to cause some chaos. But I could handle that if I cleared my head a bit.
I got out of bed and looked around, taking in my surroundings. The room was large and luxurious, with high ceilings and intricate moldings. The walls were adorned with paintings, and the floor was covered in a plush, burgundy carpet. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the room.
I could tell that this was a special place, and I was filled with a sense of curiosity and wonder. I decided to explore the council house and see what secrets it held. I walked down the hall and peered into different rooms, marveling at the beautiful furnishings and artifacts. I saw paintings, sculptures, and even a library filled with ancient books.
As I continued to explore, I began to understand the importance of this place. It wasn’t just the council house, the headquarters of the werewolf council. It was where all the decisions affecting the werewolf community were made. I remembered William telling me about the council and their role in the werewolf community, but I had never imagined it would be like this.
I felt a sense of awe and reverence as I walked through the halls, knowing that I was surrounded by history and power. This was a place where the future of the werewolf community was shaped, and I was proud to be a part of it.
I eventually found my way to the council chamber, where the leaders of the werewolf council held their meetings. The room was grand, with large, imposing doors and a long, polished table in the center. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books and artifacts, and a large chandelier hung from the ceiling. I sat in one of the chairs, imagining what it must be like to be a part of those meetings and make decisions that affected the entire community.
The doors suddenly swung open, and I jumped out of the seat when I saw Clark walking in with a tired expression on his face. He looked up when he saw me, however, and he smiled in a charming way.
"Good morning, Claire," he said with a friendly smile. "How did you sleep?"
"Not very well," I admitted. "I'm still trying to figure out what's going on."
Clark nodded understandingly. "I understand. It's a lot to take in. Have you been exploring the council house?”
“Indeed,” I said. “There’s so much to see and learn. I feel like I don’t even know enough about this place.”
“William never bothered to tell you about it?” he asked with a knowing look and a slightly raised eyebrow.
“I’m sure he just forgot,” I said, trying to defend him.”
“Right,” he chuckled. “Well, if you must know, we are a group of werewolves who have come together to protect our kind and ensure that we are able to coexist with humans without attracting too much attention. Although recent events will suggest that it’s impossible to ensure this, I’m positive that we’ll soon find a way to live peacefully with our human counterparts."
He went on to explain that the council was formed centuries ago, at a time when werewolves were being hunted and persecuted. Its members were selected from among the most powerful and influential werewolves in the world. They were responsible for making decisions that affected all werewolves and for ensuring that the laws and traditions of their kind were followed.
"The council house is our headquarters," Clark continued. "It is a safe haven for werewolves who find themselves in danger and a place where we can come together to discuss important matters. The house was built several hundred years ago, and now it serves as a refuge to all who might need it."
Clark then went on to tell me about the council meetings, where important decisions were made and issues were discussed. He explained that the meetings were attended by all the council members and that they were held in the large meeting room that I was currently in.
I listened intently as he spoke, fascinated by the rich history of the council and the werewolves who were a part of it. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and belonging, knowing that I was now a part of this special community. I had so many questions and I wanted to learn more, but I knew that this was just the beginning.
"Thank you for explaining everything to me," I said, finally finding my voice. "I'm eager to learn more about the council and our kind."
Clark smiled warmly. "You're welcome. And don't worry, there's a lot more to learn. We have a long and rich history and we're always discovering new things. But for now, why don't we go and get some breakfast? I'm sure you're starving."
I nodded eagerly, grateful for the opportunity to start my journey and learn more about this incredible world that I had only just discovered.
As I sat there, lost in thought, I felt a sense of belonging. I was a part of this world now, and I was proud of it. I may have come from a different life, but I was ready to embrace my new identity and the challenges that lay ahead. I thought about William and the secrets he was keeping from me. I wondered if he would ever trust me enough to share them with me.
I stood up, feeling refreshed and energized. I had made the decision to explore the council house, and it had given me a new appreciation for my place in the world. I was ready for whatever lay ahead, and I was eager to see what the future held for me and for the werewolf community.
On my way back to the room, I suddenly remembered the fact that I hadn’t spoken to him about Gina’s pregnancy yet. My heart sank when I remembered that, and my legs began to tremble. I had gotten so caught up with everything that I completely forgot about it. And now, I had to face the reality of that.
I stood outside of the bedroom door, my hand resting on the doorknob. My mind was racing with conflicting thoughts, and I couldn't seem to make a decision. I had been holding onto this secret for weeks now, and I knew that I needed to tell William the truth. But the thought of telling him made my heart race with fear.
What if he hates me for keeping it from him? What if he never wants to see me again? The questions swirled in my head, making me feel like I was going crazy. I had promised myself that I wouldn't keep anything from William, but now that the moment was here, I found myself struggling to find the courage to follow through on that promise.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down. I knew that I couldn't keep this secret from William any longer. He deserved to know the truth, no matter how much it hurt. I opened my eyes and turned the doorknob, taking a deep breath and stepping into the room.
I nervously stepped into the bedroom, my heart pounding in my chest. He was lying in his bed, eyes closed and breathing softly. I approached the bed, my hand reaching out to touch his shoulder.
"William, wake up," I whispered, giving him a gentle shake.
His eyes slowly opened and he looked up at me with a confused expression. "Claire? What's going on?"
I took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the bed. "William, I have to tell you something," I said, my voice shaking.
He sat up and leaned against the headboard, looking at me with a serious expression. "What is it?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
I took another deep breath, the words sticking in my throat. "Gina is pregnant," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
William's eyes widened in shock and he leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tight.
"She came to see me," I said, feeling the weight of the truth bearing down on me. "She told me that she's having your baby."
William was silent for a few moments, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. I could see the emotions running through his mind as he tried to process this new information. I didn't know what he was thinking or feeling, and I was terrified that he would push me away.
After what felt like an eternity, William finally turned to me. "Claire, I need some time to think about this," he said, his voice steady but distant.
"Of course," I said, my heart breaking. "I understand."
I stood up, feeling like I had just stepped out of a nightmare. I didn't know what the future held for William and me, but I knew that I had done the right thing by telling him the truth. No matter how much it hurt.
He left the room shortly afterwards, and I felt awful when I saw the look on his face. He wasn’t angry, but there was a cold distance which I sensed coming off him, and I wished I could wipe it off and make him smile again. The news had hit him hard, and he would probably need a while before he could properly process it.
I turned to face Sarah, and I was surprised when I found that she was awake, her eyes staring directly at me with her mouth open slightly.
“It’s just you and me, kiddo,” I sighed. “It’s just you and me.”
*