-Oliver-

It wasn't easy to convince the older werewolves to let us return to Natalie's after Adam's surprise visit, but eventually, Ben managed to convince them that he and his coworkers would keep a very close eye on us all. And I guess they felt sorry for us since once the new base was complete, we would have to leave our teenage lives behind and live there as weapons until the end of this war.

Our little group was being pretty silent when we returned home and took our seats around the TV while Natalie started making snacks. The sudden encounter with Adam, the idea of our new base, and the arrival of our new allies were clearly on everyone's mind. Jaden put on yet another comedy movie for us, but no one was watching it.

"I wonder how long it'll take to build that base," Jack eventually muttered and sighed.

"Not long, I'm guessing," Arch replied.

"Not with the help of the peacekeepers and witches, no," Tilly said.

Jack hummed in his thoughts. "Sucks... I kind of got used to this never-ending pajama party..."

"Yeah..." Arch muttered.

Silence fell again, and I knew we all were thinking about the same. We all felt like these next few days would be our last days of normal life, and then... It would be over. The world was already ending, and at that moment, none of us really had much hope. If Adam had been building his army and gathered tools for hundreds of years... Even those fighter jets didn't feel like much.

And the worst part was that I could still feel Adam's evil surrounding me. I could almost feel him watching me...

I looked up at Jaden, and he immediately turned his attention to me. He gave me a small smile and took my hand in his. He wanted to reassure me that everything would be fine, but he didn't know how.

How I wished we could be just regular teenagers... That wish grew almost painful at that moment as I sat next to my amazing boyfriend, surrounded by my new cool friends in my new, beautiful home while my new caring mom was making us pizza rolls...

I would never get to enjoy this new, wonderful life I finally got after years and years of crying myself to sleep alone...

It was so unfair...

"You know we'll win this war, right?" Jaden said when my pain grew too much for him to handle. He turned to look at the others. "We will win."

"Yeah," Tilly agreed, but with much less strength in her voice.

"Of course," Arch said as well, but only to humor him.

Jaden snorted loudly. "You'll see..."

I wanted to tell him that I believed him, but at that very moment, I didn't. I just didn't have enough energy or faith to believe him.

"I mean, we have to win, so..." Jack said after a moment. "So we'll just... win."

Arch let out a soft snort and put his arm around his shoulders. "You are absolutely correct."

"Oh, so when I say it no one believes me, but when the cool mister World Protector says the same thing we're all hell yeah, huh?" Jaden asked, rolling his eyes.

I closed my eyes and shook my head, but couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"What can I say? I am cool like that," Jack said with a tentative smile.

"Yeah, yeah..." Jaden said and grinned as well to make sure Jack knew his joke was welcomed.

And suddenly, I felt much better. Still scared, but Jaden's refusal to let us fall into despair gave me strength. And it was really, really nice of him to make Jack feel like part of the group. I was such a lucky guy to have him as my boyfriend and mate.

I would fight for that. To keep him and this new life I had. I would not let Adam take this away from me.

Jaden smiled at me and put his arm around my shoulders. I rested my head on his shoulder when he pulled me tightly against his side and planted a kiss on my temple.

"I mean, of course we'll win," Tilly said with loads of confidence in her voice this time. "We're that awesome."

"Indeed," Ben told her with a soft smile, and Tilly nearly melted into a puddle under his eyes.

She giggled with a light blush on her cheeks, but then she perked up in excitement. "Did you guys see that Valkyrie? She was so awesome!"

"So I wasn't just imagining things?" Jaden asked. "There actually was a tall, winged woman?"

"Yes!" Tilly chirped. "And did you see the size of that shield she had? It was huge!"

"I think I saw a sword too," Arch said. "It was bigger than her."

"Really? She was gone so fast I didn't spot that."

"Speaking of big, did you see just how far up Fenrir was looking when he was talking about the gates?" Arch asked.

"I'm not sure if even the world's tallest skyscraper is that big," I said with a chuckle.

"I really kind of want to see it..." Jaden mumbled.

"You said Fenrir met with you in that place?" Arch asked Jack, who nodded.

"In my dream, yeah. It was back when I was still... possessed... Fenrir was trying to protect me from the nightmares the infestation was feeding me."

"Oh... Did he succeed?" Arch asked carefully.

"He did," Jack said reassuringly. "And now the nightmares are gone, don't worry. Vanished with the infestation, thanks to our designated peacekeeper over here."

Ben laughed lightly, then bowed. "Happy to be of service."

"Oh! But did you three even notice you were using the Vision at the same time today?" I asked Jaden, Tilly, and Arch.

"Oh yeah, we did," Tilly said, looking a little overwhelmed. "That was... an experience."

"What do you mean?" Arch asked with a grin.

"I mean, I kind of just... I don't know how to even explain it..." Tilly said and shrugged.

"Like... I kind of lost control of my body? But I didn't? I just really had to look up," Jaden tried on her behalf.

"Yeah!" Tilly said. "And I didn't actually see him, but I saw... I saw... Millions and millions of thin little strings?"

"It made no sense, really," Jaden said with a frown. "I had no idea what I was even looking at. But I knew it was Adam because I could feel your thoughts."

"You have to focus on the strings that are trembling. That means danger. The stronger it is, the closer the danger is," Arch explained. "And then you just... look. And you'll see it."

Both Tilly and Jaden stared at him for a few seconds.

"See what?" Tilly asked.

"The... danger," Arch said.

"Right..." Jaden said slowly. "I think I'll just settle with howling."

"Yeah... We'll let you do the looking," Tilly agreed.

"I guess that's why I got my gift at birth," Arch said. "I suppose it's a bit tricky to master."

"A bit tricky," Tilly repeated and giggled. "Yeah, let's... let's go with that."

"Sure," Arch agreed with a chuckle.

"I mean, that's all cool and all, the Valkyries, the gates, and how you three can use each other's abilities and all that..." Jack muttered, and glanced around carefully. "But like... Fighter jets."

"Oh my god, I know right?!" Jaden said and shot up on his seat. "They are so freaking awesome!"

"I know, right?!" Jack said and let his excitement run loose. "You think they'd give us a ride if we asked?"

"Please yes! I've always wanted to fly one!"

"Did you know they have werewolves in the human armies too? Like how cool is that?!"

The rest of us watched with smiles on our faces as the two of them completely geeked out over the fighter jets and werewolf soldiers. And tanks. And submarines, for some reason. And then fighter jets again.

I loved watching it. They were so excited they could hardly stay in their seats. Jaden's eyes were practically sparkling, and I'd never seen Jack so excited over anything before. I was happy that they were becoming friends. Jack needed it because I was sure everyone could tell he still didn't feel like he was part of our group. He was part of our group, so I hoped this would help him see that.

Their excitement was contagious, too. The gloomy mood was completely gone, and our spirits were high again. Talking about humans and their war machines really gave us hope. I mean... Heidi was right. Humans had mastered the art of war. Even Adam had lost his temper because of them. Maybe he was actually afraid of them. Of us. Of my kind.

I liked that thought, but no matter what he thought of our growing army, one thing was sure: we were not weak, and that knowledge gave me strength and gave back my faith in our victory.

*****

It wasn't easy to fall asleep that night. When we went to bed, I was still thinking about the war, the new home base, and our new allies. It wasn't easy to turn those thoughts off, no matter how hard I tried. The silence didn't help, nor did the fact that I still felt like Adam was watching me... I mean, he was always able to watch me, but this time it felt... more intense. Maybe I was just imagining things.

I did fall asleep eventually, thanks to Jaden's soothing whispers as he held me gently against his chest. I just wasn't sleeping that peacefully.

I must've been dreaming normally at first. I couldn't really remember anything about it, only that I was in an old forest, walking under trees so large I couldn't see their tops. There shouldn't have been much light, but I could still see in front of me fine. I liked that forest... at first.

I felt a presence somewhere behind the trees, but I already knew I didn't have to be afraid of him.

"Jaden!" I called out with a smile and hurried my steps.

But I stopped to stare with wide eyes when this huge black wolf stepped out of the shadows.

"You... You got bigger," I said, and let out a nervous laugh.

He really had grown bigger since the last time I saw him in these dreams. He was no longer the cute little Wolfie I knew. No, this was a grown-up warrior version of him! His back almost reached up to my chest! He was the size of a large pony now!

"Holy shit..." I mumbled when he approached me, wagging his tail. "If I couldn't feel your spirit, I'd already be screaming and running away."

Jaden barked lightly and wagged his tail harder at me. I rested my hand on his nose when he stopped in front of me.

"You're still cute though," I noted, and he whined with his ears pinned back.

He let me scratch his cheek for a bit, but then, suddenly, he turned to look somewhere behind him, his ears perked and head high. I followed his gaze, but saw nothing.

But I felt something.

"What is that...?" I mumbled. "Wait... This isn't a normal dream anymore..."

No... This definitely wasn't a dream. I could now see the difference between a normal dream and this different realm we'd been pulled into several times already. The very edges of my vision had the familiar blur, and I was fully awake.

"I need to learn how to stop this from happening," I murmured, and Jaden agreed.

He turned around and lowered his head to sniff the air, but I doubted he could catch any scents in this place. I couldn't smell anything. Not even the forest around us. I couldn't hear anything either. My senses could only register that presence in the distance.

"So...? Should we go to it?" I asked quietly.

I didn't like this, though. Gods would've shown themselves by now. If we were eavesdropping on someone, we should've heard voices already. But... Whatever there was up ahead, they stayed still in silence.

Like they were waiting for us.

"I think I know how to take us back," I told Jaden.

He still only listened. He paid no attention to me. He was tense and focused, and slowly, the fur on his back stood up. Just because of that, I knew the presence was not friendly, so when my mate growled, I wasn't surprised.

Maybe I should've tried to take us out of there... But...

"Show yourself!" I shouted instead.

I could feel it much closer now, but it chose to stay hidden from our view. I didn't like this at all, but I needed to know... I assumed we were safe in this realm, or that I could at least protect us if we had to fight.

"Who are you, and why did you pull us here?" I asked, and the being came even closer.

It was somewhere behind the closest tree now...

Jaden growled louder and shifted closer to me. His fur was now completely up, and his spirits were restless, but he, too, wanted to see who we were dealing with.

"For the last time!" I tried again. "Show yourself!"

I heard... I heard something... Something that made my skin crawl... It was almost like laughter, but in the form of screeching static that hurt my ears.

A figure slowly took form in front of us, growing bigger as it sucked in the shadows of the trees and rocks. That laughter turned into horrific gurgles, like the being was in pain, almost unable to breathe. I shivered at those awful sounds as I watched the being turn into my own reflection.

Once he had fully manifested himself, his colorless body with a gray, pale skin, he opened his eyes. Black tears fell on his cheeks, but they weren't made of water, but smoky shadows. He was still smiling through his pain.

And he was in a lot of pain. I could feel it. How ever he got here to meet me, it must've taken a very heavy toll on him, and I felt almost sorry for him. No... I did feel sorry for him.

"You're hurt," I said quietly.

He said nothing, but he took a step closer to us. Jaden moved a little and growled louder, telling my evil version to stay back. He complied.

"What do you want?" I asked, but again, I got no answer.

Instead, he pressed his hand slowly on his shadowy chest, taking a hold of something I couldn't really see with his fingers, and...

I shivered again when I realized he just tore a tiny piece of himself off. He showed it to me like it was a precious gift. Jaden snapped his large teeth in a warning manner. He did not want me to touch that thing, but I already knew not to take anything from him, especially a piece of himself.

"You can keep it for now," I told my evil version in a calm manner. "Soon, I will find a way to save you and put us back together. Until then, you shouldn't give away any pieces of our spirit."

He laughed again, louder this time, and I flinched at the sound of it. It was tearing through my eardrums...

"You'll see," I said.

He stopped laughing, and even his smile faded away. He tilted his head but still stayed silent. I wasn't sure if he was strong enough to speak. But he lost interest in me and turned to stare at the piece of him in his hand. I tore my eyes off his eerie, pained face and glanced at it as well, but stopped to stare when I understood that piece was growing.

As it grew, my evil twin faded. I was getting worried now, and so did Jaden. That little growing piece was taking the shadows he was made of, and it was turning into... Into...?

I did consider taking us out of there, but I had to see...

I needed to know...

And suddenly, my twin was gone, and the piece he tore off himself had turned into a scythe. It hovered in the air for a little bit longer, then fell on the forest floor with a heavy thud. Silence fell as both Jaden and I stared at the weapon. It was oozing shadows... Like it was covered in black flames.

"What is that...?" I asked and stepped closer, but Jaden stopped me. "Don't worry, my twin is gone now. I can't feel him here anymore."

I could feel my mate's worry when I crouched next to the scythe. I did hesitate before I tried to touch it.

Tried to, because as soon as my fingers touched the grip, it burned me lightly, and vanished. I hissed a little and turned my hand around to see if there was a mark left. There was.

"Frick..." I breathed out as I watched a small black splatter on my index finger vanishing under my skin.

Jaden got furious at me.

And we woke up in our bed. We both hurried to sit up, and while Jaden grabbed my hand to see my finger closer, I reached for the light switch.

"It's gone now..." I said as I studied my skin.

"For fuck's sake! Why did you touch it!" he asked me angrily.

"I..." I trailed off. Why did I touch it...? I knew not to touch it! "I don't know..."

Jaden let out a deep, angry sigh while our friends started waking up.

"Gods?" Jaden said loudly. "We have a huge fucking problem down here."