The Alpha's Mate ON HOLD TILL JAN 2025

Chapter 8

LEAH

The two days went quickly, and today was the day I dreaded; it was my father's funeral.

We had a small service at the church and a small gathering at Dani's house.

Everyone paid their respects, but my mind was completely numb. I nodded but never said a word. I was in my head the whole time.

I walked away when no one was looking and sat on the front steps of Dani's house, staring at my house.

After a few moments, someone sat down with me, and I knew it was Lucy; she had been following me around during the funeral, and I could tell she was worried about me, but I knew it was about what I was like in the nights.

I woke her up screaming when the first night arrived, and I refused to sleep last night. The dream was getting to me. I told Lucy the first night, and after last night she knew it was still in the back of my head.

"You okay?" she asked as she handed me a glass of water.

I stared at my home across the way.

"I'm okay, I guess," I said, unable to figure out what the hell I was thinking.

I took the glass without looking at her.

Grief takes many forms, but with me, I was numb and didn't know what I should do or even how I should act, let know feel. I cried most of the last few days, but today, I kept calm, and only a few stray tears flowed, mainly at the service.

I could feel Lucy's eyes on me, but I kept my eyes on my house. "You didn't sleep again, did you?" she asked.

I shook my head.

Lucy placed her hand on mine. "Leah, I'm worried about you," she said. "Please tell me what's going on with you. I can try and help."

I closed my eyes for a moment and knew I had to tell someone about the dream. Things don't make sense, and I usually go to my Dad about everything, and now I'm all alone.

I opened my eyes and turned to look at Lucy. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying today; she was close to my Dad. We hoped our parents would get together; we wanted to be sisters at one stage.

I sighed. "I keep having this dream, about the accident," I said and looked toward the house, I kept my focus there as I didn't want Lucy to see the fear in my eyes. "I know what happened, and I was told it was an accident. But the dream I keep getting is weird."

Lucy didn't say anything or interrupt me, so I carried on.

"The dream starts with us arguing, the argument we had that night of the crash," I said as I closed my eyes.

Lucy knew about the argument and made her promise she wouldn't tell anyone. I opened them, and a lone tear slid down my face. "We got hit from behind, and other cars rammed into each part of the car. I was knocked out, but it felt like I was sleeping; I came too, and there was someone in front of my Dad's window or something I don't know. It looked human, but it had yellow eyes and sharp teeth."

I shuddered as an image came to mind, but I shot it away.

"I wake up screaming every time I see the person, they have no face, so I won't recognize them," I said as I looked at her. "I know it can't be real, but it felt real."

Lucy squeezed my arm and leaned her head on mine.

"Oh, hunny," she said. "I don't know what it means, but you need to talk to someone. You may have PTSD or something."