I swallowed hard feeling my heart in my throat. I felt like I couldn't breathe, like my lungs couldn't expand properly. I tried pulling my arm away to no avail. I knew I was in trouble. I started looking around for anyone who could possibly help me. Alas, the streets were empty at this time of night.

I then caught movement a couple yards away. Another man stepped under the street light. He looked and was dressed like a miniature version of the giant squeezing my arm, yet, had it not been for the light, his brown eyes would have appeared black. Regardless, they pierced me with their contrast against him. At seeing his attire and demeanor, I instantly knew that I had no chance. They were definitely together.

"You've been dreaming of us, haven't you?" the smaller of the two riddled.

I just stood there, unable to respond. I couldn't think, let alone speak. I was in survival mode, only seeking a way to escape.

When I didn't respond, he continued.

"The wolves. You've been dreaming of us," he stated again.

I was struggling to swallow the lump in my throat. I was panicked. Despite the freezing temperature, I began to sweat. I couldn't control my body's reaction to the fear. It was consuming me in a physical way.

"Let her go, Urik!"

My head snapped towards the commanding voice. I was shocked to see Marco making his way towards us with Kuha and another male I didn't recognize.

"So it seems you've come to claim her already, have you?" the male below the streetlight mused, tapping his fingers across his other palm.

"You know we cannot claim her. She must decide on her own, Ryan." His expression was dark, brooding almost. He clearly did not like this stranger.

"Ve cannot claim, but ve can lure," Urik smirked, giving my arm a rough tug as he dragged me closer. I tried pulling back again, but he had an iron grip.

I felt like I was in the twilight zone. It was too much. I didn't know what they were talking about or how it involved me, but I wanted no part of it. I just wanted to go inside my tiny apartment, take a hot shower and crawl under a load of blankets and pretend this night never happened.

"You cannot interfere. She must choose of her own accord. She will be drawn to whomever she is to belong," Marco stated.

Before Ryan could respond, Kuha and the other male freed me from Urik's hold. I stumbled backwards on the steps, my bags sliding off my arms and out of reach as I fell in my haste to get away. Kuha extended his hands to help me up. I ignored his offer, not trusting anyone at this point. I grabbed my purse, abandoning the bag of food Wilma had given me. I just wanted to return to safety.

I faltered several times in my rush to pass Kuha, but didn't allow it to slow me down. I yanked open the front door and ran upstairs to my apartment. My hands shook violently as I pulled my key out of my pocket and tried to fit it into the lock. I kept looking over my shoulder expecting them to beat down the front door any minute and race towards me.

After finally calming myself enough to open my door, I slammed it shut, locked it again and collapsed to the floor. I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. Rocking back and forth, I broke down. I couldn't control the heaves. The sobs hurt my chest, and my throat only seemed to close tighter than before. I was gasping for air trying to get a grip on myself. I was too shaken though. It felt like I was in the orphanage all over again, left to fend for myself against anyone and everyone, even my fellow orphans.

I had built somewhat of a security blanket in my routine the last two years. It was ripped away from me tonight. I didn't feel safe anymore. Worse, I didn't know if I could keep my job knowing I might have to endure that at any time on my way to or from work.

Why did they pick me? And...how did he know about my dream? Wait, what did he mean us? He asked if I'd been dreaming about them, but then clarified it to be the wolves. The tears began to slow as my mind began to work again. I wasn't in such a panicked frenzy anymore, yet felt just as confused and foggy about the situation. It didn't make any sense to me.