Meanwhile, Maria arrived at the hotel. Her heart fluttered when she spotted James waiting for her outside. The moment their eyes met, he reached for her hand, leading her inside the room he had booked.
Once inside, they embraced tightly, holding onto each other like lifelines.
James noticed the sadness clouding Maria’s usually bright eyes. Gently, he took both her hands and looked into her face with concern.
"What’s wrong, my angel? Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice soothing.
Maria hesitated. She wanted to tell him everything... but part of her also yearned for something more comforting—something she couldn’t name.
"I have a lot on my mind, James," she confessed. "So many scary nightmares... and everything happening around me—it’s all weighing on me."
James’s brows furrowed.
"I know a bit about the troubles you’re facing," he said seriously. "But nightmares? You haven’t told me about those. Talk to me, Maria."
She froze, fear creeping into her chest. Would he think she was crazy? Weak?
Seeing her hesitation, James sighed and gently let go of her hands.
"It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me," he said quietly, looking away. "Maybe you just don’t trust me enough yet."
"No, James!" Maria said quickly, reaching out to him. "It’s not that. I’m just scared you’ll see me differently."
James turned back to her, his gaze soft.
"I could never see you differently, Maria. It’s just a dream. You don’t have to be afraid to share it."
She took a deep breath, steadying herself.
"I’m sorry, James. I just didn’t want to burden you... but I keep dreaming of myself turning into a beast. I tear people apart, especially werewolves like us. And it feels so real... I don’t know what it means!" she finally admitted, her voice trembling.
To her surprise, James burst out laughing.
Maria stared at him in disbelief as he continued to chuckle, holding his sides.
"James! What’s so funny about what I just said?" she demanded, feeling slightly annoyed.
Still smiling, James shook his head.
"I’m just amazed at you, Maria," he said, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye. "I was expecting something terrifying... but this? This is nothing compared to what I imagined."
His light-hearted reaction made Maria’s chest loosen in relief. A small smile formed on her lips.
But deep down, a lingering unease remained.
My dreams have to mean something, she thought. They come too often to be random... As James continued to tease her playfully, Maria forced a small laugh, but her mind stayed troubled, still yearning for answers to the mystery her dreams whispered...