ARIANNA’S POV I had no idea what Bob did but I could barely concentrate. I tried to focus on anything other than Carter’s voice but I couldn’t.“Stop fighting me Arianna. Turn!” I groaned in pain as my body tried to shift and I fought off the change. I could not hold on any longer and I knew it. I was losing control and he knew it. I could hear the victory in his voice. Multiple scenarios played in my head. The future I was not going to have anymore. The minute I turned, whatever little chance my baby had to survive would be gone.I had failed to protect her. She had been through so much already. Being druged up for weeks, and the torture. “I’m so sorry.” I whispered to her. “What was that?” Carter asked but I didn’t answer.I closed my eyes and opened my mind up. I was done fighting him.“Shift! Now!” I screamed as my ankles twisted and turned. This was it. I shut my eyes and opened my mind up, it was the last play I had. I reached out to Luciano and felt him in my mind for the
LUCIANO’S POVI would never get to Becky in time. I needed to do something. I took out Carter’s phone and called Dave. “Pick up, pick up, pick up.” I kept muttering until I heard the click from the other end.“Hello.” “Dave. Is Alex with you?” I asked in a panic“Luciano? Is that you?” “Yes, it’s me. I’m at the mystic moon. I need to talk to Alex.” I hurriedly told her over the phone. “Sure. Hold on.” There was a brief pause and then I heard her voice.“Hello?” I could hear the confusion in her voice but I did not have time to explain.“I need your pack’s healer. How do I get to him from Carter’s house? It’s an emergency.” Bless her heart, she did not ask me any questions. She gave me directions to George’s house. It was barely five minutes from here.“I’ll call to tell him you are coming. Dave and I will meet you there.” She said and I hung up.I drove like a maniac. Luckily, the roads were empty. I got to the house Alex had described and an older man was outside waiting for me.
LUCIANO’S POV“Hey. Why don't you take a break so I can get her into some clean clothes?” Alex asked, raising a bag I assumed had clothes in it.“No, I’ll do it. Let me.” I stretched out my hand and she reluctantly handed over the bag.“There’s also clothes for you, and a blanket.” She said, “Are you sure you want tk do this? She still needs to … there’s gauze in there.” She finally said after a long pause.“Thank you Alex.” I told her. I didn’t care. I would take care of her however I needed to. It was the least I could do.“Dave took off. He said to tell you that he was heading back home. Something about leaving the pack unattended.” “I hadn’t thought about it. This whole time, I divided my attention between the pack and looking for Arianna, when she was really all that mattered.” I told her.“You did what you thought was best. You are a good Alpha. You can’t fault yourself for that. And she won’t either.” I walked to the sink and filled a bowl with water. I couldn’t do anything b
LUCIANO’S POV“She has been through a lot. She has a lot of bad drugs in her system. Her shifting was just the last straw, the baby must have already been in distress, considering the drugs.” Becky explained.“What drugs? Why would she take drugs?” I asked them.“We don’t think she took them willingly.” Becky answered. “He drugged her.” I muttered as realization dawned on me. Wherever Carter was he better keep running. I would end him if I saw him again. I took a deep breath and made myself ask the one question that I was scared to know the answer to.“Is she going to be okay?” “She has been through a lot. I mixed herbs and potions that will help her heal.” “That is not an answer Becky.” She was being evasive and it was not helping my mood.“Her body will heal in time.” She answered.“What does that mean?” Alex asked. At least someone else was as confused as I was.“I don’t know exactly what she went through but, her body has started to heal and she should be awake soon.” Becky sa
LUCIANO’S POVDave had sent two buses. Where the hell did he get buses on short notice. We didn’t own any. I was grateful for the thought. The buses were fitted for comfort. Arianna could lie comfortably and I would sit with her, there was enough room for three people to kick back. “Sir, whenever you are ready.” “Thanks Ray.” I said and walked into George’s house.I met Becky and George talking by Arianna’s side. They looked worried. “Is there a problem?” I asked them.“No. Not really. Her body has healed remarkably and most of the drugs are out of her system.” Becky said. I smiled at the good news. “That’s good. Right?” “Yes, Luciano. That is good news. Now let’s get her home. You were right. Being back home will help her a lot. She may not be conscious but a part of her will know that she is home.” Becky said.I grabbed a clean blanket and covered Arianna up. Becky and Alex were waiting in the car. George had talked about getting a stretcher to move her but I wanted to carry h
LUCIANO’S POV“The full moon was two nights ago. Why isn’t she awake yet?” I asked Becky. “I don’t know.”“And why didn’t she turn?”“I don’t know.” Becky said again.“You said everything was fine.” I reminded her.“I said her body was okay. She is strong.” She repeated what she had been saying for days.“So why isn’t she awake? It’s been long enough.”“You can’t know that. She will decide when she is ready to wake up.”I looked around, defeated. I felt useless. She was my mate and I failed at protecting her. And now I was failing at helping her. “Do you talk to her?” Becky asked.“What?” I was confused.“Talk to her, Lucianno. There is a good chance she can hear you. Make her want to wake up.” Becky left us in my room. Shutting the door behind her.I sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand in mine. I had so much to say to her, but not like this. Not while she couldn’t look at me. “Please wake up. I miss you.” I let go of her hand and left the room.Dave was back on his couch
LUCIANO’S POVI walked into the dark room. The moonlight was streaking into the room and unto Arianna’s face. She looked beautiful.Becky said I should try talking to her. I picked up her hand but my words betrayed me. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. I let go of her hand and decided to take a cold shower.I was pulling my shirt over my head when I thought I saw her fingers move. It couldn’t have been that. It looked like my eyes were playing tricks on me. The room was dark and I was making up scenarios. I tried laying down beside her but it felt wrong. She had not let me back in yet. I half lay on the lounge seat that I had moved in here. This had been my bed since we brought her home. It was no wonder I could not get any sleep.I watched her fingers the entire night. Hoping it would move, for real this time but, nothing. It really was my mind playing tricks. I was about to leave the next morning when I decided to stop standing in my own way. I took her hand and started ver
ARIANNA’S POVBecky had been fussing over me since she got here this morning. She was looking me over and examining me five times over. “I’m fine Becky.” I told her for what sounded like the millionth time. “Just let me look at you. You made me scared. Do you feel any pain? Anywhere?” She asked.“No. I just feel tired.” I told her. “That’s normal. Do you feel like eating now?” She asked.“I asked Chef to make her something.” Luciano answered.He had been standing at the door, quietly all morning. When I woke up he had not wanted to give me space but now it was like he didn’t want to get too close. “I can eat.” I answered Becky. “Good. Small bites, slowly.” She was beaming from ear to ear. She held my face and stared straight into my eyes. “Don’t scare me like that again.” She told me.I nodded at her with a smile. I had missed her. I reached out and gave her a big hug. She held on extra long before letting go. “I’ll let you rest. I’ll be back later.” We were finally alone and t