Kissed by Fire (Book 5 of Wolves of Milano)

23.How to beat the nightmare

The afternoon with Nina and Davide was great. They let Lan sleep for a while and then they all played monopoly. It was to distract Lan. He was excited about his leopard, but also scared, high on endorphins, and worried that he can’t control his shifting. It was great to see Lyana playing with the kid. Her wolf is all too serious for her own good. He needs to find a way to tell her about the mansion. They could let the wolves play there. Play time is a social aspect and means of bonding for wolves.

‘Thinking about bonding with her?’ His wolf asks.

‘Yes. Anything to keep her here. But I can’t force her. It’s up to her. I was thinking about a playdate for you and her wolf. Now that she’s met you, it can be easier.’ Mateo answers.

‘I like her. A playdate is not a bad idea.’ The wolf huffs.

‘There is something else I’m thinking.’ Mateo starts. He’s looking at himself in the mirror and his eyes are red. The wolf is close to the surface. ‘Is it possible to spend the night in wolf form? Would that keep my nightmares away?’

‘Anything is possible. But, are you willing to give me the control?’ The wolf inquires. ‘This would mean you asleep and me in charge. I don’t dream when I sleep, but we have never tried to switch at night. A full night’s sleep would be a first.’

‘It all comes down to you. Promise me you won’t hurt Lyana. Promise me you won’t break out and run havoc in the city.’ Mateo demands of his wolf.

‘I promise to be good. I won’t leave the bedroom.’ The wolf laces his words with sarcasm. He even manages to make a promise sarcasm laden to the fullest. ‘Do you think she’ll let me sleep on the bed?’

‘You can only hope.’ Mateo chuckles. He has to ask her first if she’s OK with the idea. It’s not the same as spending a few minutes with his wolf. She would be asleep next to his beast.

“Sure. If it helps with the dreams.” Lyana nods. She smells like roses and he doesn’t like it. It kills the natural scent of her skin. Does she have a new shower gel?

“Thank you. It was a thought when I watched Lan sleep on the sofa.” He tells her.

“Just tell your wolf not to expect cuddles. I need sleep and so do you.” She chuckles.

“Just sleeping. He promised to behave.” He nods. “What is this rose scented thing on you? I don’t like it.”

“Body oil. I got a few samples to try.” Lyana frowns. “I don’t like the scent either. I think I won’t be using it.”

“It’s up to you.” He tells her. He can’t tell her what to do, just let her know he doesn’t like it. “Oh, by the way. The wolf wants to know if he can sleep on the bed?”

“On your side.” She winks. “No pawing, or clawing at me. If I feel too warm at night, I’m sleeping in my old room.”

“Fair enough.” Mateo nods. “I love you. I just wanted you to know.”

“I love you too.” She responds. Her jawn is distorting the words. She is tired after the long day of fun and games. He watches her climb under the thin cover. She never uses the winter set her grandmother bought for her. She likes it cold in the bedroom, she claims that she sleeps better that way. He’s not bothered by the cold.

He sets his boxers aside and shifts to the wolf form. The huge red wolf climbs up on the bed carefully. He will keep to his side of the bed to honour the deal with her. He curls up and lays his head on his front paws. The pillow is a foreign object to the wolf; it’s too human. He watches Lyana through hooded eyes. He’s sleepy, but he wants to take in her features.

‘If this works, you get to sleep next to her every night.’ Mateo tells his wolf.

‘Good night then.’ The wolf responds. He closes his eyes and relaxes next to her. He listens to her gentle breathing like it’s a lullaby. Mateo listens to her breathing as well. He tries not to think about anything. He empties his mind and sinks into the darkness. Sleep claims him shortly after.

He opens his eyes when he feels the sun shining on his face. His face! He shoots up in bed and looks around in panic. He clearly remembers going to sleep in wolf form. He must have shifted in the night. Lyana is long gone, as the clock reads nine. Her shift at the hospital started at eight. He didn’t make her breakfast! He slept! For the first time in so very long, he actually slept the whole night. He can’t remember when it happened last. He feels relaxed and well rested. He searches his mind for his wolf. He wants to share the good news. But the wolf is fast asleep on a makeshift bed. It looks like blankets and pillows haphazardly thrown together.

Mateo decides to let his wolf sleep some more. He gets up and pulls a pair of jeans on. Walking barefoot and shirtless to the kitchen where he finds a note from Lyana. She ate the leftovers before work. She’s not mad at him, rather she’s glad that he managed to sleep late. He smiles at the note and gets some coffee. He has to talk this through with Elio. Granted, the guy doesn’t know about Mateo’s wolf, but he can leave that part to assumptions. It’s the not dreaming part that is important. He wishes he could talk it over with Lyana, but he can’t just disturb her at work.

-Thank you for letting me sleep. I needed that. Mateo

-You’re welcome. It was a fun day. We have to do it again. Lyana

-Any time. I actually like Davide and Nina. Mateo

-I knew you would. She is a gem. Lyana

-Have a nice day. I’m going over to Elio. Brainstorming ideas about nightmares. Mateo

-Let me know what you two find out. Lyana

-I will. Love you. Mateo

-Love you too. Lyana

She is the best, he thinks. The most understanding girl ever. If this experiment works, he can get sleep and he’ll be able to think better. He might come up with a few ideas about what to do with Vito. More importantly, he can come up with something to tell her. She needs to know everything. He knows he can trust her, but the fear of losing her is still there. Taking it slow and one thing at the time is best. He can tell her about investments first. The mansion is a huge step up for him. He wants her there, but first he has to tell her how he was able to afford it in the first place. Money doesn’t just grow on trees. And he has to consider Vito. He doesn’t want his father in the same house as Lyana. She doesn’t need that kind of stress.

He slept in today, then he was just sitting around with his coffee, so by now Elio must be finished with the class. Mateo sends him a text to meet at the mansion. It’s a safe place to talk where they won’t be overheard. Since Vito is missing, nobody is followed around the city. Marra doesn’t care about such petty things. She has more important things to do than spy on her own pack members. Makes his work easier. He bets Elio is grateful to her, too.

Getting a few croissants for Vito, he drives over to the mansion. He can use the office there to do some work while he waits. He’s thinking if he can trust Elio with the wolf. He might have an insight, or just an idea. He has to rouse his wolf and ask if he’s up for it. He normally likes Elio, but who is to say he likes him today. Getting his ass kicked was humiliating. The wolf kept rubbing it in, saying he could have done better. Mateo must make sure that the animal doesn’t try anything stupid. He is certain that Elio could take him on even in wolf form.

‘But not if you let me use magic. He has none himself.’ The wolf smirks.

‘He’s a friend. Don’t you think so?’ Mateo inquires.

‘Yes…He’s useful. I think he knows more than he tells. He’s an Alpha’s son. He had training, and not just in the military.’ His wolf remarks. ‘I promise I won’t try anything. I like him.’

‘Thank you. I wonder what he knows? Maybe rural packs keep track of anomalies? Maybe they keep more in touch with the past, the history, the traditions?’ Mateo thinks. Too bad Lyana was just a kid when she came to Milano. An eight-year old doesn’t care much for pack lore.

“Knock, knock.” Elio says while he taps the door of his office. “Did you leave the front door opened on purpose?”

“Yes. I saw you on camera. Thank you for closing the gate. The remote has issues from this distance. I have to re-wire that. It’s just tedious running a damn wire all the way down the drive.” Mateo nods. He has no idea when he’ll have the time to do it.

“What did you want to talk about?” Elio asks. He sits on the other armchair in the office. He’s facing the window that looks out over the fountain.

“Werewolf lore, history, and anomalies.” He answers.

“Huh? What makes you think I know anything about that? I’m an outsider, remember?” Elio looks at him with interest written all over his face. The guy definitely knows something.

“I’m not looking into our pack. You are an Alpha’s son. You probably learned a lot. I’m pretty sure every Alpha out there is better than Vito in educating the next generations.” Mateo scoffs.

“Yes. What is the question?” Elio chuckles. “I had to read the history books.”

“Do you know any wolves with red eyes? Is there any record about weird fur colours? What could influence a change?” He asks.

“White wolves can have red eyes, sometimes. My cousin was like that, but she died from some strange illness when she was seventeen. It looked like poisoning, but we could never determine if it was poison and what kind it could have been.” Elio sighs. “Why does this interest you?”

“I can show you later…” Mateo says quietly. “But, please keep it to yourself. Lyana is the only other person that knows. Oh! My mother does, too.”

“Your wolf is different? How did Lyana react?” Elio sits up straight. His interest has peaked. “Does it have to do with the magic that runs in your family?”

“Yes, to the first and last. Lyana?” Mateo chuckles. “She is totally nuts. She petted my wolf. I’m so lucky he likes her. She could have been killed.”

“She is something else. You better hold on to her.” Elio smiles.

“Yeah. I intend to, but it has to be her choice. I still don’t know how to explain my dreams to her. I have to tell her the reason someday. She might not like me after that.” Mateo starts to explain. “It has to do with my wolf. It was my first shift. I think my wolf should be white. My brain shows me a white wolf when we talk, but when I shift he’s not white. On the day of my 16th birthday, I didn’t shift. Vito was disappointed, he didn’t talk to me for months after. Two days later I shifted in the privacy of my room. Then I noticed a man in the garden. He was arguing with my mom. I sneaked downstairs and waited in the kitchen. I knew the wolf could get out easily. The man was too close to mom. He was threatening her. He sliced her face open with his claws. My wolf saw red. He killed him, brutally. Then he wiped mom’s memory and placed something new there. She believed she killed the man.”