Page 47 of Devil’s Snare

Trees swayed in the breeze as I followed her, staying close to the trunks so she didn’t detect my movements. The longer I followed her, the deeper we entered the forest. Spongy grass beneath my feet formed a path. I lost track of the hours, placing one foot in front of the other and careful to stay out of sight. Now and then, she would pause to pick wildflowers. The fabric of her white dress would ripple against her sun-kissed skin.

But I couldn’t catch up and reach her. I tried.

Whenever I got close, she would disappear among the trees.

And then the dream shifted.

We no longer walked in the forest. Instead, we ran through a thick fog in the cemetery. The sun disappeared, replaced by the moon. Ahead of me, the woman seemed to glide among the headstones, a ghost among the graves.

I jolted when I suddenly caught up to her, reaching out my hand to clasp hers. Finally. Her face turned my way, and my heart stuttered.

Gwen.

The same, but different. Darker, longer hair. Slightly taller.

None of that mattered to me. It was her soul that I could see, so beautiful, smiling as she lifted her arms and cradled her stomach.

A swollen, very pregnant belly.

Shocked, I tried to pull Gwen closer to me. She shook her head, pointing at the baby. Her mouth moved, but there was no sound. Something was wrong. I could feel it.

Fierce protection rose inside me. This was my child. My son.

In another lifetime, already born and gone, I would lose him.

Sorrow flooded my thoughts until I could hardly stand. My knees buckled. I hit the ground as a roar left my lips.

In front of me, rising from the dirt, a headstone appeared. My name etched into the surface. The dates a blur.

No. I won’t live any lifetime without you.

Startled awake, I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

Fuck, that dream seemed so real. Longing, concern, and worry consumed me for several minutes, the ache so fierce that I slid from bed and dressed. Omen began howling. He was restless, staying within the cemetery as he waited for me. My emotions affected him in unpredictable ways.

He didn’t like my dream.

Someone pounded on my door. I’d come back here while Gwen taught her class at the women’s shelter. We didn’t get much sleep the night before, not that I was complaining, but I was tired. Judging by the clock on my dresser, I hadn’t fallen asleep for more than an hour. It felt a hell of a lot longer than that.

Most of the club’s members lived at the Devil’s Wood. We each had our own room to crash in, even if we didn’t always stay overnight.

“Coming.” I opened the door as I shrugged on my cut.

G.D. stood in the hall. “Omen needs you.”

“I know. I’m on my way, Pres.”

He stuck out his hand and stopped me. “This woman, Gwen Carmichael—is she a target?”

“I don’t know. Cyber is still digging.”

“But you’re taking on the responsibility for her safety.”

“I am.”

He could sense how much Gwen meant to me. “Are you claiming her?”

“She’s mine, G.D. I don’t know how else to say it. She’s always been mine.”