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
LUCIANO’S POVI raced back upstairs to grab some towels and soap. She didn’t want to be here, in my room. In our room. I had not helped matters. After my initial reaction when she woke up I had been distant. She had gone through a lot and I had a lot to apologize for. I prayed and begged her to wake up so I could apologize. But seeing her, now. I didn’t think I deserved it. She had lost a baby because of me. It didn’t matter if she forgave me or not. Heavens knew I didn’t deserve it. But I owed it to her to be sorry. I grabbed the soap and two towels and headed back downstairs. I could hear the water running in the bathroom and contemplated going in there. I placed the towels on the bed and stood there. I was not this person. I was sure and always knew what to do. On the other hand I had never screwed up so colossally before. I didn’t need to think too long. A blood chilling scream came out from the bathroom. I ran to the door immediately yelling out her name.“Arianna!”“Luciano
ARIANNA’S POVDave and I sat on a bench in the garden while Alex made Luciano help her pick flowers. It was good to be out of bed but I was exhausted from the walk. “She looks happy.” I told dave. He was watching her with a smile on his face. Who could blame him? Alex was amazing. “She is. How are you?” He asked me in a very serious tone. “I don’t know. I mean … it’s been a lot.” I told him.“I can’t imagine. It’ll get better. You are home now.” I smiled half heartedly at him.“That’s not good. Is there somewhere else you want to be?” he asked me.“Honestly Dave. I don’t know. I think it’ll just take me a while to find myself again.” “He was out looking for you. Everyday. I know it doesn’t make up for anything but … he hates himself so much for what happened.” “He said as much. I don’t hate him. I really don’t. I just don’t know what I want anymore. Over a month ago I thought I was going to be a mom.” I blinked away the tears that were pooling in my eyes. Dave gave me a warm s
CIARA’S POVI had walked the entire length of one of the fences of the Ice Claw Compound. I always wondered why they fenced it. I couldn’t walk in through the front door. The last time I tried that, Dave had his goons throw me out. “This seems like a good spot.” I muttered to myself. I walked back, enough to give myself a running start. I took off towards the fence and jumped as high as I could. My palm grazed the top before I fell back down. I tried again and this time was able to hold on to the top of the fence. I pulled myself up and soon I was over the fence. This part of the compound was quiet. One thing I noticed during my time here, Dave and a few others were the only ones who stayed close to the edge. The compound was big enough that you didn’t need to get to these parts. “Probably why they fenced it.” I said to myself.I walked in, trying to keep my head down. The last thing I wanted was for someone to recognize me. It took a while, but I finally made it to the big ho