Thwarted

LERRIN

The dream began as if he'd woken in the forest. Nhox lay next to him, sleeping, which shouldn't have been, but for some reason, Lerrin didn't care. Then he realized what had woken him: Suhle was frantic, screaming for him, somewhere deep in the forest and unable to find him, calling for him, his name echoing through the trees.

He ran and ran. Human form, beast form. His breath tore in and out of his throat, but he couldn't answer her. Couldn't find the link. Could only hear her suffering. Hear her fear.

It tore him apart.

Then she screamed and he leapt into beast form to—

—Lerrin sat bolt-upright, panting, heart pounding so hard it throbbed in his ears, in the shade of the rock that sheltered them from the afternoon sun. He opened his mouth to call for her and a hand clapped over it.

He startled and tried to yank free, but Nhox was in front of him, eyes wide, not making a sound, gesturing.