Nightmares at Everglade Falls

29. Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Gabriel

I wake up to Ophelia kissing me, her lips soft and insistent against mine. It makes me laugh, the sound rumbling through my chest. “Good morning,” I murmur, pulling her closer.

She grins, her eyes bright. “Morning,” she says, kissing me again.

I groan playfully, rolling us over so she’s beneath me. “We need to eat,” I say, though I can feel the pull of our bond, the need for her almost overwhelming.

She tilts her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “Where did the burger come from?”

“Aurora brought it for you,” I tell her, watching as guilt flashes across her face.

“I completely forgot to check on her,” Ophelia says, her voice heavy with remorse.

“It’s normal,” I reassure her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re consumed with urges now. They get it. We can all get dinner together.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t want to go to the dining hall. Since I came to the school, I’ve been like a pariah with all the problems.”

I kiss the side of her mouth, a smile tugging at my lips. “What do you think about us having a picnic instead?”

“A picnic?” She looks surprised but intrigued.

“Yeah,” I say, my fingers tracing circles on her skin. “We can do that, and Owen and Aurora will be there for your first transformation. You won’t hurt her, Ophelia.”

Her eyes search mine, doubt flickering in their depths. “I don’t want to hurt Aurora.”

“Aurora handled you once, and she can do it again. Plus, Owen and I will be there. Aurora will be safe. You’ll be safe.”

She hesitates, then nods slowly. “Okay. Thanks, Gabriel.”

I can’t help but laugh when she adds, “I know I said we were only going to have sex last night, but... I want more.”

Her words send a thrill through me. “I’m not complaining,” I say, flipping us over so she’s on top. We fall back into bed, sinking into each other, our bodies moving together with an urgency that’s almost primal.

Her hands roam my body, exploring every inch of me. I’m lost in the sensation of her touch, the way she feels against me. It’s insane how much sex we’ve had since she transformed. It’s never felt like this before, so intense and consuming.

“Gabriel,” she moans, her nails digging into my shoulders. I can’t get enough of her, the way she moves, the sounds she makes. It’s like we’re in our own world. Nothing else matters.

“I need you,” she whispers, her voice raw with desire.

“I’m right here,” I murmur, my hands gripping her hips as I thrust into her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

We move together, a rhythm that’s both frantic and perfect. Her body clenches around me, and I know she’s close. “ My Ophelia ,” I growl, my voice thick with need.

She cries out, her body convulsing around me. I’m right behind her, the sensation pushing me over the edge. We collapse together, our bodies slick with sweat, our breathing heavy.

“I’m not done with you,” she says, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

I laugh, pulling her close. “Good, because I’m not done with you either.”

We spend another three hours tangled in each other, exploring and discovering new ways to drive each other wild. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before, this connection between us.

Finally, we pull ourselves out of bed, both of us ravenous. “Let’s get that picnic,” I say, kissing her forehead.

She nods, a content smile on her lips. “Sounds perfect.”

We dress quickly, and I text Owen and Aurora to meet us at the edge of the school forest. They’re both on board, and we gather everything we need for our picnic. As we head out, I can’t help but feel a sense of peace.

This is right. We’re right.

When we reach the lake, Aurora and Owen are already there, setting up a blanket. Aurora rushes over to hug Ophelia, relief evident in her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she says, her voice thick with emotion.

“I’m sorry,” Ophelia whispers, hugging her back. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s okay,” Aurora says, pulling back to look at her. “You couldn’t help it. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

We settle on the blanket, the sun shining down on us. The picnic is perfect: a mix of sandwiches, fruits, and snacks. We laugh and talk, the tension easing away with every passing moment.

“This is nice,” Ophelia says, leaning against me. “I needed this.”

I squeeze her hand, smiling down at her. “Me too.”

As the sun begins to set, we start to feel the pull of the full moon. Ophelia tenses beside me, her eyes wide with fear. “It’s starting,” she whispers.

I pull her close, my voice soothing. “It’s okay. We’re here. We’ll get through this together.”

Aurora and Owen move closer, offering their support. “You’ve got this,” Owen says, his voice steady. “We’re not going anywhere.”

Ophelia nods, taking a deep breath. “Okay. I trust you.”

The transformation starts slowly, her body trembling as the change takes hold. I hold her hand, whispering reassurances. “You’re doing great,” I say, my voice calm despite the turmoil inside me.

Her eyes meet mine, filled with pain and determination. “Gabriel,” she gasps, her body convulsing.

“I’m here,” I say, my grip tightening. “I’m right here.”

The change is brutal, her screams tearing through the night as her body begins the shift. Fur ripples across her skin, bones crack and reshape, the agony clear in every cry. We stay with her, supporting her through every agonizing moment, grounding her with our presence.

When it’s finally over, she lies panting, her wolf form trembling with exhaustion. I kneel beside her, stroking her fur gently. “You did it,” I say, my voice filled with pride.

Her wolf eyes meet mine, a glimmer of relief shining through the pain. Slowly, the shift reverses, fur retreating as her body returns to its human form, leaving her breathless and vulnerable.

She looks up at me, tears in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“We’re a team,” I remind her, kissing her forehead. “We’ll always be a team.”

We spend the rest of the night outside watching the stars and talking about everything and nothing. It’s perfect, a moment of peace in the chaos of our lives.

As dawn breaks, we head back to the house, our bodies and souls tired but content. We collapse into bed, tangled together, and fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

This is our new normal, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.