Chapter 93 Chaos and Joy
Reika sprang into life, her chest heaving as if she had sprinted miles, her hands automatically shaking down towards her stomach. The dream seemed to cling to her, it was chaotic yet clear, more portentous than a figment of her mind.
In her dream, she was pregnant and she stood on the battlefield while wars raged around her,the clash of swords, the howling of the wolves, those were the sounds that filled her ears, her wolf growling in fierce protection at each and every one. And now, the only sound that filled her silent chambers was her labored breathing.
Her heart had fallen the moment her trembling hands had touched her flat stomach, and she had whispered, "It was just a dream?huh?".
All these confusions were more than her heart could bear: wars, pregnancy, a warning, or her mind just being cruel to her?
She flung her legs over the side of the bed, and with a stinging slap her bare feet made their presence known against the cold floor. Immediately, her head was in a fashion of reeling as she sought to piece fragments of that dream together.
The slight tap on the door yanked Reika out from the storm brewing inside her brain.
"Enter," her voice came husky loaded with hoarseness.
The door opened and Daisy plunged in, the tray clasped to her hands carrying an offering of three fuming teapots. These were set before her queen's white face and dishevelled tresses whose critical eyes then swept: "My Queen -you are awake!" thus the girl fluttered into Reika's bedhead, "you are not taking on the slightest ailment are you? You do- look in a glow".
Reika's eyes met Daisy's, and she was quite taken aback at the moment: Daisy had been her confidante, anchorage during turbulent times; if there was anybody who could help sort out something meaningful from it all, then it was her.
I had this dream," Reika said in a small voice, shaking. She stared down at her hands as though they somehow could tell her what she'd seen. "A dream so real it felt real. There was a war, Daisy. Blood and chaos everywhere. And I-" She swallowed hard. "I was pregnant."
Daisy's eyes went wide. "Pregnant? You don't think it was only a dream, do you?
Reika nodded slowly. "I awoke and/nothing. The tummy was flat. I am not pregnant, Daisy. And it felt all so real-the baby inside me, the connection, the love. That haunts me."
Daisy laid a comforting hand on Reika's shoulder. "Maybe it is just your mind playing tricks, Luna. You have been under so much stress lately. The wars, the threats of the Dawn family-it is no wonder that your dreams are troubled.
Reika sighed, leaning back against the bedframe. 'Maybe you're right. But it's not just the dream, Daisy. It's the feeling that it was trying to tell me something. What if it's a sign? What if another war is truly coming?"
Daisy shook her head gently. 'My Queen, you've fought so hard for this pack, for everyone. Sometimes our dreams reflect our fears, not the future. Don't let it consume you."
As Daisy spoke, a flash of remembering struck her mind. The frown in her face softened, and she gave a faint smile to Reika.
"My Queen, if I may suddenly change the subject, but do you know what in three days?"
Reika furrowed her brow, for a moment sidetracked. "Three days? What's in three days?"
Daisy giggled. "Alpha Ileus' birthday! You promised we'd plan a grand surprise for him, remember?"
Suddenly it hit Reika-the wide-eyed factor kicking in, suddenly it had just slipped her mind amidst all these hooting and tooting. "Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Reika, jumping from bed. "How could I have forgotten? Daisy, we gotta get moving! There's a lot to get done!" муки
She couldn't hold her own and burst out laughing at the Queen whose spirits suddenly rose. "Calm down, my Queen; we have time, and the maids are ready to assist. We can plan everything-just like you wanted."
As sudden as it may seem, this energy must have started pouring into her veins as the earlier bewildered Reika hurriedly dressed, then hastened briskly to the main hall with Daisy close behind her.
'Daisy," Reika said over her shoulder, her tone brisk, 'assemble the maids immediately. We're going to make this the best celebration Ileus has ever seen."
In less than a few seconds, they were all assembled-faces intent yet a little nervous, stirred by the commanding air of Reika. "Listen up," Reika said, firm and warm. "In three days, we're celebrating Alpha Ileus's birthday. It's a surprise, so discretion is paramount. Anyone who lets it slip will be scrubbing the training grounds for a month."
That sent the maids off into a fit of nervous titters, well used to Reika's humor but not quite prepared to test quite how serious she was.
"We shall need decorations, food, music, and finally, entertainment," Reika added. "Daisy can see to the decorations, while I work out a menu with the chefs. Now, as for the music." She paused, and her glance across the room riveted on Maria's. "Maria, you always have been asking me for the chance to play your harp. Well, here it is."
Maria blushed to her ears but nodded vigorously. "I won't disappoint you, Luna!"
Reika smiled. "Good. Now, let's get to work. We have only three days.
While the maids scampered off, Daisy stayed by Reika's side, a reflective look on her face.
"My Queen," Daisy whispered, "it's good seeing you this way. Clear of mind, certain. I worried when you first woke today.
Reika blew out a breath, and her smile fell away. "Still trying to figure it out, Daisy. The dream. I'm unsettled by it."
Daisy leaned forward and laid a reassuring hand on her arm. "Perhaps it wasn't meant to be figured out. Maybe that was just your mind reminding you of what you're fighting for: your pack, your family.and your future."
Reika nodded her head in a slow, bowing curve as the weight of Daisy's words sank in. "You are right, I cannot dwell on it. There is so much to be done, and I will not be controlled by fear."
"That's the Reika I know," added Daisy, brightness dancing in her features.