Chapter 2: Dreams and Dorm Room Heat

The dorm room was a canvas of shadows, the soft moonlight casting silver streaks across the dusty floorboards. Jake was trapped in his blanket, a tangled cocoon of linen and pent-up energy. Zane's steady breathing, a soft, comforting cadence, filled the air, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of chaos in Jake's head. The pine scent, borne on the night air, blended with the warm, musky smell of Zane's leather jacket, thrown carelessly across the back of his chair. The walls, with a soft, otherworldly glow, held the far-off starlight, infusing the room with an ethereal light. Outside the glass, the forest was alive with a hidden life, a low, thrumming vibration that seemed to resonate through the very foundation of the building.

Jake's lids felt heavy, dragged down by fatigue, but his mind would not quiet. Zane's wicked smile, the sexy roughness of his voice, the wild, seductive smell that seemed to stick to him like a shadow—these images and smells churned in Jake's brain, a vicious, dizzying whirlpool. He slept fitfully, and the dream swept in over him with fierce surprise.

He was surrounded by the midst of the forest, the giant trees a solid rampart of shadows. The earth at his feet was soft and squishy, a bed of wet moss, and the air was charged with a palpable force. Zane stood before him, his silver locks glinting with moonlight, his green eyes blazing with unearthly intensity. He slid with the lethal grace of a hunter, covering the distance between them until Jake was pinned against the ridged trunk of a huge tree. The rough surface of the bark grated against his back, but Jake didn't notice, his senses reeling at Zane's proximity. Zane's hard, warm hands slipped under his shirt, a fire of sensation racing through him.

"You're mine," Zane snarled, his voice a deep, guttural growl that made shivers run down Jake's back. His lips came crashing down on Jake's, a fierce, possessive kiss that smacked of heat and raw need. Jake's breath caught, his heart thrashing against his ribs like a caged bird. He kissed back with the same intensity, his hands clutching at Zane's silky hair. The dream descended into a whirlpool of raw, unbridled passion. Clothes were torn, buttons popped, and Zane's claws raked down Jake's skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake. They were stuck together, a burning, desperate hug, and Jake groaned, the sound lost in the rush of adrenaline. Zane's mouth roamed down his neck, his teeth nipping and teasing, waves of pleasure crashing through Jake's body. His legs were trembling, barely strong enough to support him. It was illegal, sordid, all the things he had suppressed for so long.

The dream intensified, the heat building to a stifling climax. Zane's hands crept lower, pulling Jake close, his hips rubbing against Jake. The forest spun, the stars blurring into a stellar kaleidoscope, and Jake gasped in a husky whisper, "Zane—" His voice broke, disintegrating into the surging wave of sensation. It felt so real, so improbably vivid, that he could not distinguish reality from dream. He did not want it to end.

Then, with a shock of surprise, he was awake, his body drenched in sweat, his sheets knotted around his limbs. A moan burst from his lips, loud amidst the silence of the dorm room. His erection was agonizingly evident under the thin blanket. He tensed, his eyes scanning the room. Zane was alert, sitting upright in his bed, his green eyes shining in the dark.

"Bad dream?" Zane queried, his tone low and tinged with amusement. He rested his elbows on his knees, his elbows forward, and a knowing grin playing about his lips.

Jake's face flushed with humiliation. He pulled the blanket up further, trying to cover up his erection. "Uh, yeah. Nightmare," he stuttered, his voice breaking. His heart was racing in his chest, a mad drumbeat that pounded in his ears. He was sure Zane could see it, smell it, hear it. Werewolves had senses many times more acute than humans.

Zane laughed, a deep, rich sound that filled the space. "Looked like more fun to me," he taunted, winking. "You were wiggling around a lot, biology boy."

"Shut up!" Jake sat up and threw a pillow at Zane, his cheeks blazing with embarrassment. Zane caught it in mid-air with ease, his smile growing bigger, and thrown it back. "Not my fault," Jake grumbled, burrowing deeper into his bed. His face was on fire, and humiliation washed over him. Zane was standing too close, seeing too clearly, and Jake wanted to just fade away.

"Relax," Zane instructed, spreading out on his bed. "I've had worse nightmares. Once had one where I was fighting a bear. Woke up punching the pillow." He laughed, like it was of no importance. "Yours sounded… more fun."

Jake groaned and pulled the blanket over his head. "Sleep," he growled, muffled. The laughter ceased, but the atmosphere still hummed with its residual. The room was silent once more, with only the rustling of the leaves outside and the bed frame groaning as Zane rolled over, disrupting the silence. Jake's flesh felt alive with the last sensations from the dream, festering within him like a severed limb. Zane's hands, his growl, the taste of his kiss-it was all too real, too vivid. He shut his eyes tightly, his mind trying hard to erase the pictures from his memory.

The early morning sun filtered through the window, casting a weak, gray light over the room. Zane was already up, softly humming as he collected his towel. He yawned, his shirt creasing up to expose a glimpse of tanned skin, and Jake hastily looked away. "Dream quieter next time," Zane said with a smile, "or let me in." He went to the bathroom and left the door ajar.

Jake sat bolt upright, his chest pounding. He felt a mess—sweaty, flustered, and angry at himself for allowing the dream to affect him so intensely. His phone throbbed on the nightstand, the screen flashing with a text message from Lisa. "I'm coming by tomorrow. Be prepared." His stomach dropped. Lisa couldn't find Zane's presence, couldn't catch Max's scent still lingering in the air. She would realize the moment thing to say and react poorly. He rubbed his face, alarm welling up from within him. Zane's shower started, water hissing through the pipes into the room. Jake glared up at the ceiling, his mind racing. What am I doing? The overwhelming burden of his secret, the forbidden desire, and the imminent visit from Lisa weighed upon him, a stifling pressure.