Chapter 7 Four Months Later... The sounds of their howls were closer than the last time. I was slower than when I first escaped Pine Paw with my now-protruding stomach filled with them, the twins. But for their sake, I will keep going. I have to keep going. Currently, I’m in no man’s territory where rogues like me bounce from town to town, trying to find a place where we belong. It’s a region where rogues are supposed to be safe, but my pursuers tell me otherwise. The sounds of town life reach my sensitive ears from the safety of the forest trees, and I try my best to run faster. Just a few more kilometres, and I will be safe from my pursuers, from the wolves of Pine Paw who are just a stone’s throw away from me.I can hear the sounds of both wolves and humans now chasing me, realizing that some have shifted, probably to make it easier to try to persuade me to come back. Hell has a better chance of freezing over than me going back to Pine Paw.“Don’t hurt her. She is
Chapter 8 The drive is longer than I expected. We slowly leave the small town behind, and I can’t help but smile contentedly as the buildings give way to the beautiful forest. The leaves are changing to the lovely colours of red, oranges, and yellows you would find in fall. Inside the Jeep, Tate turns on the seat warmer for the passenger seat, and the warmth underneath me causes my eyelids to feel heavy as I drowsily continue to watch the scenery fly past me.I must have dozed off from the peacefulness of the drive with my newly discovered mate beside me because I soon found myself being lifted into strong arms that brought a sense of warmth and security over me, all while in a groggy stupor. Groaning, I turned my head into whoever held me, hiding my eyes from the light above and clutching at a soft fabric.“Shh, Laina, go back to sleep, little one.” A deep gentle voice whispers in my ear. I oblige, letting the darkness of a comfortable, dreamless sleep take over once
Chapter 9 “I don’t need all these clothes!” I exclaim in frustration as I exit the changing room, only to spot Eeva throwing more clothes into the shopping cart. I can’t help but shake my head at the brunette woman as she picks clothes for me from dresses to pants, casual to formal. I had a feeling if I let her continue, she would turn whatever savings I have into nothing.“One, you do. I even threw in clothes you can use for after you deliver your babies. Two, they’re cute and will fit any occasion, and as the future Luna, you need them. And three, they fit you.” I couldn’t argue with Eeva’s logic. All the clothes she has chosen for me are in a style I like, and many were close to the pre-pregnancy size that I can fit into once the twins are born. With a sigh, I follow behind Eeva as she pushes the cart towards the counter, her eyes scanning around if she missed any other article of clothing from this store that would suit me. I had a feeling she did not get out to s
Chapter 10 The first week of living with Tate flies by as he and I get used to the routine of living together. I had slowly moved my clothing and other items into Tate’s room. The vanity I found in the guestroom I woke up in on the first day in this house has been moved to sit in front of the large bay window that faces the backyard. Tate let me explore the house as much as I wanted, where I found the basement with a large workout room on the second day. I couldn’t help but squeal with glee when I saw all of the workout equipment, going as far as doing some light workout, with a worried and panicking Tate frantically trying to keep the heavier weights away from me. Spoilsport.There were times when walking around the forest with my mate when we would pass by his pack members, and his possessive side would show. The first time I convinced him to go for a walk with me, a Warrior got too close, thinking a rogue was attacking his Alpha. I had to pull Tate’s black wolf fo
Chapter 11 Pain!Pain is all I can feel, gripping my body with terror, as I wake up, clutching at my sides. I let out a scream as a spasm rocks through my body, causing me to curl up as best as I can. Something inside me tells me that something is wrong. Tears are streaming down my face.“Tate!” I scream out, praying that the sleeping wolf beside me wakes up quickly. I don’t know how much of this pain I can endure. Feeling my mate jump out of bed, I catch his green orbs glowing, searching for danger. His bright eyes soon land on my curled-up form. I whimper as another wave of pain shoots through me, the tears continuing to flow.“What’s wrong, baby?” I see the panic-stricken look on Tate’s face as he rushes around the bed and to my side, his hands brushing away the hair that sticks to my face. My body shivers from the cold sweat now coating my skin as I cry out in pain once again.“I… I don’t know.” I cry out, fear lacing my voice. I close my eyes as yet another spa
Chapter 12 My eyes once again open to the annoying sound of the heartbeat monitor. I hate that machine with a passion as it continues to beep with my every heartbeat. Glaring at the monitor, I slowly sit up only to feel my body being pulled back down and held captive against a muscular chest.“Where do you think you’re going?” Tate mumbles, his voice husky with sleep as he nuzzles against my hair. I grin and relax against my mate, deciding to leave the grudge against the machine connected to my body.“I was going to smash the stupid machines connected to me,” I admit with the heart monitor once again beeping to punctuate my statement. I couldn’t wait to get rid of these machines, especially the one with its annoying beeping. I just want to be home with Tate and our baby girl and mourn the death quietly of my other child. As if connected to my thought of her, a tiny cry of protest rings out from the bassinet. Tate groans before releasing me from his arms. He proceeds to
Chapter 13 "You ready?" Tate's voice floats to me, and I sigh, taking a last look at myself in the mirror. My blue eyes held unshed tears in them once again as sorrow fills me. I stand wearing a long-sleeved black lace dress with my hair in a high bun. Today will be a long and depressing day for everyone. I feel strong arms turn me away from my pale reflection and press my head into a sturdy chest as I take in Tate’s scent with a shaky breath."You don't have to go if it’s too hard, Laina. Everyone would understand." He says and kisses my forehead. He knew I am close to breaking again. Any mother would be close to breaking on the day they burry their baby.“I have to, Tate. She deserves to know how much I love her and will miss her.” I whisper out with a whimper into his chest. Taking another deep breath to steady my emotions, I take Tate’s hand, and the two of us make our way down the stairs where Jack and Chris fawn over Julia, a soft smile on my lips as I watch the
Chapter 14 Light slowly drifts in through the sheer curtains, falling across my eyelids, causing me to wake up. Strong arms are wrapped around me with my back against a sturdy chest. The tingles against my skin tell me that it’s Tate as he snuggles closer to me. I needed to get my mind off of yesterday and move forward. I will always love Kelly, but Julia needed her mother to raise her. Today is a new day, and slowly my grief will settle down.Tate slowly pulls away from me and kisses my forehead before his presence leaves the bed. Ten minutes pass by till I decide that I did not want to stay here in bed forever, and I throw the covers back to stand. Stretching, I make my way towards the bathroom for a shower, letting the warm water cleanse away the smell of grief from yesterday off of my body. I feel more refreshed as I shut off the water and wrap my body in a fluffy towel, still learning to get used to my small stomach once again. I step away from the master en-suite
Chapter 29 I smile as I stare at myself in the mirror, my chestnut hair in loose curls, half of it shaped into a bow at the back, upper-half of my head. It’s been just over two—almost three—years since I returned home, and news about the fight at Pine Paw has spread all over the world. The Elders visited every single pack for three months, making sure everyone knew the new laws of Breeders being illegal. Many packs were abolished for breaking the laws. The last I heard about Pine Paw is that Sam’s younger brother Eric and his mate took over, freeing all the Breeders and reuniting them with their pups. All in all, my story is widely known now. I have a strong reputation of being a kind Luna but a brutal fighter when it comes to protecting my pack and family."Are you almost ready?" Eeva's voice fills my ears, and I turn to stare at my maid of honour, smiling at the look of awe on her face as Julia toddles around us in her lavender flower girl dress."Yes, is everyone he
Chapter 28 I groan as harsh light reaches my eyes. My reaction to bury my face in the warm, solid body next to me is met by chuckling. Sometimes I feel more like a vampire with how much I hate the bright star when sleeping."Hey, beautiful, are you hungry?" Tate asks, one hand rubbing my back, the other in my hair."Yes," I mumble, snuggling closer to him and sighing happily, getting another chuckle. "Well, we should get up to get food." He says, smoothing my hair away from my face and kissing the top of my head."Do we have to?" I ask quietly, blinking my blurry, sleep-filled eyes at him with a yawn."You're adorable when you’re tired, you know that?" He muses, sending another kiss to my forehead and pulling me closer into his arms."So I've been told," I mumble and smile at another deep chuckle rumbling from my mate. It felt good seeing Tate relaxed and a little rested, with the dark circles under his eyes less noticeable."C'mon, baby girl. Let’s get
Chapter 27 It took us forty-eight hours to return to our pack, despite Rex driving faster than the speed limit permitted to distance ourselves from Pine Paw. Tate wanted to keep driving all through the night, but Rex suggested we stay at a motel the first night because of the condition my body is in due to the wolfsbane. And so, with reluctance, Tate agreed to Rex’s suggestion. Settling into a comfortable room, I spent the night dozing in and out of sleep, not able to fully find the release of a deep slumber even with my battered and exhausted body. Every time I would fall asleep, I would find myself back in the cottage with Sam above my body that is chained to the familiar wooden bed. Each time that scene repeated itself, I would scream awake from the nightmare, waking Tate, who slept beside me and sending him into a panic state as he holds me close until my sobbing ends.After going through ten nightmares, Tate decided that it would be best to leave the motel and con
Chapter 26 "I am." I smile despite the pain as Tate's voice reaches my ear, my heart soaring at the fact that my mate is here to save me. I turn my head to look at Sam, his face a ghostly white, and I smile smugly. He is in a world of pain for pissing off my mate and kidnapping me."Sam! Bloodsvain, they're here." I hear Ross's words of warning as he yells out to his nephew. I hear the Elder’s heavy steps from the hallway carrying him into the room, where he abruptly comes to a stop."Oh, Alpha Tate, how-" I hear a growl cutting off Ross’ sweet, fake greeting before the sound of flesh tearing apart and the smell of blood other than my own fills the air. Guess there will be an Elders position to fill soon."Look, Tate, I was just taking back what is mine," Sam says with fear lacing his voice. Holding his hands in surrender, Sam slowly backs away from the bed and away from me, with Doctor Freelan continuing his protective stance, just in case Sam tries anything stupid. T
Chapter 25 I feel numb as if there were no connection between my mind and body. I feel no emotion, no wave of energy from the pack link, and barely a hum from the mate bond. I am floating in a blissful sleep, or so I think with how the darkness envelops me. My body is numb, yes, but as I open my eyes I soon learn that I am tied down to an all too familiar bed that I thought I left behind months ago, my body naked once again."No!” I cry out in a despaired whimper, trying to free my limbs before anyone can walk in. I am back in the cottage I was once sentenced to as a Breeder about five months ago. This is the same cottage where the twins were forcefully conceived, and my life was a nightmare because of Sam for a full week. I was trapped with nowhere to go. The bed is still as comfortable as I remember it, but it holds so many horrible memories that disgust rushes through me in waves."Well, look who's up." I bristle as a voice I could never forget floats to my ear, and
Chapter 24 I shiver slightly as my body slowly comes to consciousness, my eyes scanning the room to see the sunshine falling in through the open window curtains. This morning, the bed felt colder than usual, and my hands search for the warmth Tate always brings. Worried, I turn around to face Tate's side of the bed, only to notice him gone and—judging by how cold his side of the bed is—he's been gone a while.Frowning, I slowly sit up, my body sore once again from spending the night with my mate. Wrapping the blanket around my naked body, I search for any clue that my mate might have left indicating his whereabouts when I spy the note folded neatly on his pillow.With a soft smile, I pick up the note and carefully unfold the paper to see Tate’s neat handwriting on display. The note tells me that Tate decided to go to the pack house to take care of some business and catch Rex for a check-up. Chris and Jack took Julia for the day, wanting to give me some time to rest and
Chapter 23 I stand there in our living room, tears forming in my eyes. I know that, to some people, getting engaged within two months of meeting someone would be considered way too fast, but Tate is literally my soulmate, my other half, the person the Moon Goddess paired me with. I felt complete and whole when with him."Laina?" Tate's voice wavered slightly, his happy face slowly losing hope, and I realize that I have stood there a few minutes without answering because his proposal left me speechless. Quickly, I nod my head, yes, feeling my tears flow as I jumped into his arms, causing the two of us to tumble to the floor as I kiss all over his face with joy."Yes! Always a yes!" I manage to say once my shock was over, and I pull back to kiss him long and passionately. Panting from the kiss, Tate places a beautiful white gold ring with a heart-shaped diamond on my dainty ring finger, with a smile that beams so brightly as if he won the lottery, a gold medal in the Oly
Chapter 22 I groan at the bright room, burying my head under one of the large pillows. My body felt sore from the events of the last two nights, causing me to wonder if Tate is fully healed or not. No man should be this energetic when on bed rest. As my consciousness settles in, I realize that I am pressed under Tate, his hand removing the pillow from my head and the feel of his hard length still inside me from how we passed out last night. The memories of last night flash through my head with each position my body bend to Tate’s will, and I moan, my body becoming sensitive again"Someone having issues?" Tate's husky voice fills my ears as he slowly moves inside me, massaging my sore, sensitive walls. I moan again, arching my back to feel even more, gaining a chuckle at my wanton reaction from my mate.“I’ll take this as a yes then, baby.” He whispers, his lips finding my mark and nipping at the sensitive skin. He picks up speed, the sounds of moaning and grunting fill
Chapter 21 I groan slightly as the warm body underneath me moves. My eyes slowly open to see the soft morning light illuminating my mate beside me as his soft lips press against my temple. My body felt sore, and a slight tinge of pain in my neck brought back the memories of last night. Tate and I have mated and marked each other.A grin spreads across my face as I nuzzle against Tate’s neck, catching sight of the mark I left on him. I felt whole, with Tate being completely mine and me being completely his.“Good morning, beautiful,” Tate whispers, his hand running through my hair gently. I close my eyes, relishing in his pampering, letting out a yawn.“Good morning, baby,” I reply, my voice laced with sleep. For a few minutes, we just lay in bed enjoying each other’s silent company and taking in the first morning as a mated pair. I missed lying in our bed together away from the sounds of a hospital room, and being home alone with Tate felt perfect. Being home felt like