Chapter 10 Lorna's POV I have been sitting here for hours letting the moon cleanse me and open me up for the next journey. Lost in memories and hope. I'm so lost it takes Athena shouting at me to get me to come back to the present. "Lorna!! I hear someone approaching and fast!!" What?? Oh no, someone must have followed my scent. "Hide!!" I dart behind an old decaying tree, hoping the rotten wood will hide my scent. Just as I get down I see an enormous onyx wolf leap in to the clearing. He is going so fast he is practically flying. Landing with a thud, the wolf searches the cliff top. I hug the ground, praying he won't find me. Doing my best to slow my heart rate and my breathing, trying to be as silent as possible. A noise from the clearing forced me to look up, the only way I can describe it is an utter and complete pain. The magnificent wolf suddenly collapses to the ground and shifts back to a man. He is bent over himself on his knees, is he crying?? He is, he's crying. Sobbing even. What could have happened to that poor man and his wolf to warrant such devastation. Wait? No, is it? It can't be. Twisting and turning my head. It is, it's the man from the garden. Did he not manage to find his shewolf? Oh I think he is saying something. My face pales, I feel light headed, my vision blurring, the black edges creeping in. He said my name. MY. NAME. Why, how is that possible. Failed me? Without thinking I step into the clearing and ask "How have you failed me?" Shocking myself and him. His head rises and he looks in my direction. His eyes to my eyes. I know those eyes. The onyx wolf from my dreams. Ho....I'm interrupted by a growl inside my mind. "MATE!" Athena chants. No, how is that possible. He can't be my mate. I can't have a mate. "Mate, Mate, Mate!" Over and over in my mind. The man stands, eyes glowing, his wolf? So close to the surface. "Mate!" He says, no more than a whisper but with the words a magnificent smile grows on his face. Highlighting his chiseled jaw. It's then that I realise he is standing before me, naked. Completely and utterly naked. There aren't words to do justice to the art standing before me, unable to stop my eyes travelling. Mile and mile of tanned, toned, skin bulging over well trained muscles. Black tattoos across part of his chest depicting ancient symbols and runes, the only space left above his heart. Sculpted calves and thighs, with a drool worthy v pointing directly to.... "Hmm, hmm" two coughs interrupt my appreciation and I'm instantly brought back to the moment. I realise while I was fantasying, he has taken a number of steps and now stands but a meter away from me. I gasp allowed upon this realisation and step back, unbeknownst to me, closer to the cliff edge. Panic grips his face, his hands come up in a surrender pose. Implying he means me no harm. "Please, come away from the edge Lorna, I swear to you I could never hurt you" "Please" he begs again and takes three steps back, hoping I'll step away from the edge if I can still keep a perceived safe space between us. Thoughtful. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ꜰindηovel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I spend a moment deliberating before taking a step back towards him. His arms lower slightly, along with his shoulders. "Thank you Lorna" relaxing even further. I nod my head slightly. Deciding to broach a different question. "Who are you, and how do you know my name?" "Right, yes, sorry" "I am drake and my wolf is called Xavier" I take a moment to take that all in. "H.e.l.l.o" I hesitantly offer. He offers a small smile in reply. "Hello Lorna, and to answer your second question, I think you and your wolf already know who I am" he looks at me, hopeful. "Don't you?" He hesitates, so full of hope in his eyes. "I know what Athena is saying instead my head, but I don't understand it and I honestly don't know what it means" I offer carefully. Not knowing how my response will affect him. "Athena? Is she your wolf?" Athena dances in my mind and being spoken about by.... her mate. I nod, confirming his theory. "..and.... do you feel it in yourself? A pull towards me, the truth within the words not just Athena confirming it? The feeling that before this moment you have been half of yourself, always searching, always in need of that missing piece" he steps softly towards me, cautiously. "That standing so close to each other, the piece is no longer missing. That's how I feel, looking at you, your scent filling the air around me. I feel home" he takes another cautious step towards me, but I still don't retreat. So place inside me knowing what he speaks is true. That I feel that too. A sensation I have never known. Home. Drake takes one more step and now he is mere centimetres away from me. I tilt my head and look up at him. The scent of him alone is driving me to confusion. Such a delectable aroma of freshly cut grass and gentle notes of lavender. His eyes hold such depth and promise. While mine feel glassy, with tears about to make their escape. When one finally does, drakes hand reach up, and with such tenderness he wipes it away. With his hand remaining there, cupping my cheek, he gently pulls me in to an embrace. My head laid on his chest. Closing my eyes and simply accepting the feeling being generated inside of me. His other arm supporting my back, tensely, waiting to see if I will reject him. I lift my hands to my chest and bury myself in to the foreign feeling of warmth, affection and belonging. Releasing a sigh and closing my eyes as the rest of my tears silently flow down my face. One word quietly escapes from me as I everything from the last few days comes over me and darkness pulls me under. "Mate" Title: Mystic Herb Powers: Unveiling Pharmaceutical Conspiracies In "After Awakening, Falling for My Sis-in-Law" by CrushReel, widowed Peach finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of gangsters pushing her into marriage to settle debts. Enter Johnny, her brother-in-law, who unexpectedly unlocks ancient mystic herb powers, embarking on a perilous journey to expose sinister pharmaceutical conspiracies. As they navigate treacherous waters together, uncovering family secrets and facing imminent threats, their bond strengthens amidst the chaos. This modern drama delves into themes of resilience, familial loyalty, and the pursuit of justice in the face of adversity. Combining elements of revenge and secret revelations, the story unfolds with a unique blend of suspense and intrigue that captivates readers. 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