Don't worry Isabelle, I will protect you!

Dimitri's Point Of View

I rushed to Isabella's chambers with a dreaded feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was informed through the mind link by Gabe, he said they heard screamings coming from Isabella's room and when they arrived they found her lying there in a deep sleep.

"Tell me what the hell happened to my mate?!" I grit out, storming into her chambers where I was told Isabella's unconscious body laid. This couldn't be happening, who did this to her.

I have been losing my shit mentally since I heard Gabe tell me through the mindlink that something bad happened to Isabella. Luca and I were worried as fuck about our mate. What happened to our mate!?

I felt Luca growl inside me, struggling for control when he saw Isabella's body laying on the bed. Her face looked pale, almost lifeless. But thankfully she wasn't dead, the faint beating of her heart assured me that much, but nonetheless it was a cause for worry, her pulse seemed to only get weaker by the second. I was losing her.

"Why isn't anyone saying anything?!" I screamed looking at Gabe and Dixie, they also looked like they were still trying to figure out what happened themselves.

"We arrived and found her like this. It seems like someone has placed a sleeping hex on Isabelle. She was attacked by a bloody sleeping demon." Dixie explained, the fearsome look on her face told me there was more she wasn't telling me.

I looked over to Celeste, our pack's oldest and head witch. She stood closely, aiding Tilda, our pack's healer, who tended to my mate.

I rescued Celeste at the brink of death when witch hunters invaded her home, killing her whole family and coven. Ever since then she swore to serve me till her death, her occult knowledge in spells like; hoodoo, voodoo, sacrificial magic, representational magic and arts of necromancy were very helpful to the pack.

"Speak to me Celeste, who did this?" I asked, my jaws clenching with anger that a mere sleeping demon of the underworld dared to touch my mate. Hell, even the devil wouldn't even dare to touch what belongs to me, he knew better than to fuck with Dimitri Castellan.

"It wasn't just a demon. It was Saetani, the dream hag." Celeste answered, filling me with a dreaded sense of worry.

My gaze reverted back on Isabella as she laid lifeless in the bed. I could notice something etched on her forehead.

It was a mark, a sigil of some sorts. It was a straight line with two other lines crossing on it, meeting at the top intersection.

I knew that mark, I have seen it before. It was the mark of Saetani, the sleep demon. During the late 1600, Saerah Dumire was a witch caught and killed during the Salem witch trial and was accused of practicing dark witchcraft.

The towns people burnt her, along with her entire coven to death, but the humans should have  known better that something as meager as death wouldn't keep her away forever. Saerah made a deal with the devil to be reawakened as an immortal demon of sleep and nightmares, giving her the power to make ones dream their own personal nightmare. In return she promised to drag souls that she captured to hell. The devil himself gave her a new name, naming her after himself.

Saetani.

That was what the devil called her. The dream hag and the ruler of the neverending nightmare world.

During the early nineteenth century, There was a sickness that swept the whole world, causing mortals to sleep. The mortals called it the sleeping sickness or better known as encephalitis lethargica. In the mortal world, the disease was recorded in 1917. The pandemic, which went on until 1927, in between the first world war. It claimed so many lives.

Some begged for sleep that wouldn’t come, whilst others lived as perpetual sleep walkers. This illness, which caused fatigue, insomnia, and apparent comas. The despicable sickness later resulted in the death of countless mortals.

If only the mortals had known that it wasn't just a sickness. It was a curse brought upon by a Saetani in her search for vengeance. Saetani was a powerful and evil witch, who feasted on the fear of humans by putting their soul in a dreamscape of her own creation, where your fears become your own worst enemy. Whatever happened to you within the dream world, would happen to you in real life. Isabella didn't have much time before she would eventually die. As far as I knew about Saetani, whatever happened in her dream world affected you in reality, Isabella was in grave danger.

But what was she doing here, in my pack? Why did she come for Isabella? Someone probably must have drawn her here, targeting Isabella in particular. I wanted to know who the bastard is so I can rip his organs out, whoever it was is as good as dead. No one dares hurt my mate, except me.

"Tilda, how is my mate?!" I growled, watching as Isabella shivered in fear. I hated seeing her like this, in pain. I felt a powerful need to take her in my arms and protect her.

"Not good Alpha. She is getting colder by the minute, her heart beat is increasing by every passing minute." Tilda regretfully says. This wasn't good. The thought of her being tortured in her nightmare felt as if a dagger was being buried in my heart. Just then we began to see bruises form on her arm, and a bite mark appeared on her neck. She was bleeding. Something was feeding on her. A vampire must be attacking her in the nightmare world, she also had some burning scars on her hand. It was most likely caused by magic.

I growl at the scent of her blood.

A vampire was attacking her in the nightmare world and also a witch, she wasn't safe. My mate was in danger there.

It was hard seeing her like this. Asleep and vulnerable. I couldn't lose her, I don't know what I would do if she was taken away from me, I would be a mad man. There had to be something that I could do.

"There's only one way we can save her.” Celeste started, managing to get my complete attention.

“How?” I grit out impatientky.

“Someone needs to go into her subconscious and wake up her consciousness, before her soul is devoured by Saetani and the dreamscape." Celeste says. It was worth the try, if it was a chance to save Isabella, I would take it.

"I'll go." I said determinedly. I was willing to go to hell and back for my mate.

Isabella couldn't die! I won't let her!

"Alpha think this through. If you die the entire pack dies. We are all linked to you Sire." Tilda warned me. I sent her a look, silencing her immediately.

It infuriated me that she had little faith in me but she was right. My death meant the end of my pack, they were all linked to me and they shared my strength and power. But I couldn't sit back and do nothing while my mate died at the hands of Saetani. I had to save her, damning the cost.

'Hang in there, Isabella.' Luca, my wolf said. We weren't going to allow anything to hurt our mate.

"I'll go too," Gabd says, stepping forward.

"No brother, you have to stay behind and look over the pack. They will be worried about their Luna and Alpha." I say to him, placing a hand on his shoulders assuringly. Lance would need all the help keeping the pack calm in my absence. It was only natural that the pack would be worried but I was going to return back with their Luna, I promise.

"Yes and I will be needing your help for the spell. A spell like this takes a powerful amount of energy, I need to channel something with vast energy and magic. Like a werewolf." Celeste affirmed. She would need to channel Gabe's energy to keep the doorway open for me, gaining access to his memories and things he has seen. I didn't particularly like the idea of opening our family secrets to an outsider but Celeste could be trusted to an extent. I was never fully able to trust anyone.

"So what are we waiting for? You can channel both Gabe and I. It will be strong enough to keep the doorway open long enough." Iris said, standing up, giving me an assuring nod. She was a good friend and cared for Isabella like her own family. Isabella was lucky to have her.

"Go well Alpha and bring her back." Iris affirms. I nod, giving her an equally assuring look.

"I won't return without her. I promise!" I say. Returning without my mate wasn't even an option. I would burn the dream world down if I had to, I was going to return with my Isabella.

I look at her pale and shivering face and I feel my heart ache a lot more. I wanted to share her pain with her and I felt angry that someone dared to hurt my mate. I was going to rip that hag into pieces I can assure you that.

I took my seat beside Isabella's bed, placing her hand in mine. It was so cold, we didn't have too much time. It seems as if the nightmare world was killing her and sucking out her life force in there.

'Just hang in there, Isabella. I'm coming.' I whisper to myself.

Celeste held both Iris and Gabe's hands, forming a sacred triangle; she began to chant in old Norse tongue.

"Avergopolís negrà nevada la porfium Indy kalièper dambala…" Celeste chanted. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and when I opened my eyes I was transported to the nightmare realm.

I open my eyes, letting it adjust to my new surroundings. Everything here looked so different, for beginners the world was upside down, and I'm not just saying that figuratively, I mean it literally. Everything was literally hanging up side down. It was night time, there were three giant red moons that burned and revolved in the sky, casting down a red glow all around.

I was in the middle of a forest, with thick canopy trees all around. I heard rustling in the bushes. I knew I wasn't alone, there was someone else here with me.

I heard a loud cry, it sounded like Isabella.

So I quickly ran over to where the sound was coming from, I found the silhouette figure of a girl, I instantly recognized that it belonged to Isabella.

"Isabella," I called out to her, turning her around. My eyes widened at what I saw.

It was Isabella, covered in crimson red blood, she was bleeding all over. Her eyes were red and she was bleeding profusely, blood rushed from her ears and nose too. It was as if her entire insides were liquefied.

No! This couldn't be happening. I was too late.

"You couldn't save me, Dimitri. Why? Why? Why? You let me die! It's all because of you." Isabella screamed at me and I stared into her bloody eyes closely that was when I realized.

"This is all your fault. I'm dead because of you. You killed me! Why Dimitri?" She continued yelling and I had enough of all this bullshit.

In a snap I wrap my fist around her throat, choking her tightly. Her eyes widened as she stared at me with surprise and shock.

She may have looked like her but she was not my Isabella.

Normally I would have been less aggressive but more passive and tactical when dealing with an imposter but I simply did not have any time for this. I needed to find my mate. My pack and Isabella were counting on me.

"You are not my mate. Where is Isabella, you hag?!" I interrogated the fake Isabella, my grip growing tighter and tighter as I lost my patience.

"Dimitri, stop. You're hurting me." She coughed and begged, still putting up the dastardly act. I tightened my grip in response.

"Did I stutter or do I need to repeat myself more clearly? I know you are not Isabella so where is my MATE?!!" I gritted out, my eyes flaring it's brilliant red. I could feel Luca sharing partial control with me. He was beyond mad and furious and so was I. Both of us were willing to kill anyone who stood in our way.

Isabella's imposter began laughing like a crazed lunatic. I let go of her, pushing her away to the hard ground.

"You truly are smart, Dimitri Castellan. I guess you took that from your father.." She said, with a courtesy bow of her head. She knew my father, I wasn't surprised, everyone knew who he was. Our family had an infamous reputation for the carnage we caused.

"We can speak about family lines later, right now what I truly and only care about is my mate. I won't ask again, where is she?" I demanded impatiently, there was a ticking countdown in my mind. I needed to find my mate and make it out before Celeste chants ended.

"That's rich coming from you, don't you think? If I didn't know better I would think you have gone soft and have suddenly developed feelings for the mere witch." She said, walking around, circling me. It was more excruciating to speak to her while she used that face. It tortured me.

"Dimitri Castellan, the immortal cursed Lycan. The all powerful Blood Alpha and the one responsible for his entire pack being cursed, has a weakness. He has fallen for love, for the first time in his life he has something he cares about more than himself." She mocked, laughing. I wanted so badly to rip her tongue out, but that wasn't going to save Isabella. I needed to be smart regarding everything I did here because Isabella's life was at stake.

"What do you want? Maybe we can both come to a compromise. I can offer you whatever you want, just name it." I give in, proposing we strike a deal. This would be in everyone's best interest.

"Tempting, but I'm afraid I only want her. I was called and promised her precious soul. She is truly rare and special, I can feel it and I know you can too. Her soul would be delicious enough to satisfy me for years to come." My blood boils over. How dare she! Who dares promise Mt mate to her? I was going to find out who that person was and I'll kill them all!

In a flash I sped, grabbing her by the throat, slamming her violently into a tree, and she chuckled out a laugh.

"Don't you dare touch her, she is mine!" I squeeze on her neck, hearing her grunt in discomfort but a wicked smile soon crawls up into her face. I squeeze tight on her throat, knocking her smile off.

"For someone who claims she knows my family so well, there is something we Castellan’s are known for and that is paying back our debts, we show no mercy to our enemies. I will rescue my mate and then I'll make sure to put an end to you." I growl, choking her harshly.

"Times ticking Dimitri. About now, poor Isabella should be ready to be killed by her own nightmares." Saetani cackles. I let her go as I heard a scream erupt from a distance.

"Isabella!" I growl, shifting into my huge black lycan wolf. I raced towards where the scream erupted from. It sounded like Isabella and she was in danger, I could feel it. I only hope I can reach her in time.

I heard another scream, I was getting closer. Somewhere within these woods was Isabella. I shifted back to my human form, running closer to the sound. That was when I saw her.

"Isabella!" I growl.

On the floor laid Isabella, she was screaming and crying. There was someone on top of her. A woman in a black cloak.

I sped up, throwing away the woman. Her body bounces on to a tree and then to another, hitting the ground in a loud thud.

"Isabella," I say to her, trying to get her to open her eyes. Her face was pale white. She had a vampire bite on her neck. She was losing a lot of blood.

"Dimitri? Is it really you?" She asked, sounding delirious. Thank goddess she was still alive. I quickly bit my palm, placing my blood in her mouth so she could drink it. Lycan's blood was known for their astounding healing qualities.

"Yes Isabella, it is me. Drink." I tell her, and she quietly obeys, sucking and drinking my blood like her life depended on it.

I heard snarling and growling from around me. I slowly take a look around me. We were surrounded. Fierce looking wolves and vampires emerged from each corner of the forest, they had hungry looking eyes, as they growled and snarled.

"Fuck!" I whisper to myself, counting the numbers.

"1, 2… 27.  69… 96." There were over a hundred wolves and vampires gathering. I was going to have a lot of fun ripping each of their heads off.

I heard a hiss coming from behind me. I turned back to find the cloaked woman, who was attacking my mate.

It was someone who looked like Isabella, but I knew that she was just a fake. Her dressing was ancient and her eyes glowed a dangerous green. She was no doubt a witch, a powerful one.

What the bloody fuck was she doing in here, inside Isabella's nightmares?

Whatever reason it was, it didn't matter now. All that mattered was leaving here with Isabella.

Several growls and snarls filled the night air. I could feel Isabella's little hands grip my arms fearfully.

I stood up on my feet with Isabella clutching my arm behind me. I released a fearful growl, causing the wolves to fall silent, I was in transformation. I could hear my bones snap and rearrange in place, my eyes already glowing it's usual fiery red.

"Dimitri," I heard Isabella's soft voice call from beside me.

"Don't worry Isabelle, none of these bastards are going to lay a finger on you. I will protect you!" I assured her, as werewolves lunged at us from every corner and I sliced and clawed their heads off their bodies.

****Authors Note****

Guys, how was this episode of mystery and nightmares! Yay or nay, let me know in the comments.

As always please keep voting. Stay tuned for the next chapter tomorrow.

Chapter Soundtrack: Renegade by Taylor Swift