Chapter 11 Drake POV "Mate" Before me, my future collapses and darkness takes over her eyes. Quickly, I sweep her.... Lorna, my Lorna, in to my arms and hold her against my chest. The weight of her, so real in my arms, yet so fragile. I glance to the cliff edge, the stark realisation that I was almost too late, will stay my constant along side the cycle of the moon. Staring down at her, I become lost in her features. With her so relaxed, she looks so beautiful and graceful. So much younger than the years of abuse and fear had made her. Dark circles under her eyes give the truth away, and my wolf growls in my head. "Protect" With every atom of my being, I will protect my mate. My luna, my love. Nothing will ever, EVER!! Touch her again. She will never fear, never be sad. We are the alpha and luna of the most powerful and feared pack in Europe. I hear Jacob in the recesses of my mind. Trying to get my attention. Movement to the right of the clearing breaks through my revelry. Looking out of breath, my beta transforms from wolf to man. "Alpha, did we not make it in time?" He stares at my mate in my arms, taking in her pale face. Trying to listen for her heart beat but struggling over his own panting. "I made it, she, my Lorna, is exhausted but she is very much alive" I say, a longing calm in my voice. I have finally found her and she is alive. Everything else can be healed from. Will be healed from. Jacobs, sighing in relief, wilts before me. "Thank the moon goddess, how did you get here so fast my alpha? We are normally evenly matched, yet I arrived long after you. You were a blur, then you were gone" wonder and disbelief tinge his tone. Holding Lorna tighter in my embrace, I ponder what he tells me. "The mating moon, perhaps, something in me, I'm not sure but I felt stronger, faster. The only thing I know is that the moon goddess made sure I made it in time." I start walking in the direction of the pack house, watching the moon go behind the clouds. Casting the valley and entire territory in inky darkness. Hiding us on our journey through the pack lands. "Let's head back to the pack house, I need her in my rooms before the sun is up. Until she wakes and we fully understand what has happened in this rotten pack, I wish to keep this to ourselves" we start walking, this is going to take hours but holding my mate in my arms, weighing as much as a feather, I count myself so lucky, and catch myself smiling at the life now laid out before us. "That may only last until tonight's ball, alpha, as all unmated wolves are required to dance and meet all unmated shewolves remaining in the pack. I know you Alpha, you will carry Lunas scent all over you proudly" Jacob explores. He is right of course. Now that I have found her, unmated shewolves approaching me will be quickly banished.... and probably executed. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ ƒindNoᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You may be right, but the ball may also be the perfect opportunity to announce the happy news. Such a public display would be expected and it would be easy to see this disgrace of a packs reaction. Revenge for her treatment could be swift and pack wide" "Revenge.. hmm.... it would satisfy my raging wolf. He feels like we have already failed her, despite having only just found her ". He declares sadly. I understand the feeling, as it is the same feeling running through my mind. "I know this feeling, all we can do is protect her and love her, and worship our queen from now on, and hope that is enough to heal our past failings" Nodding his head, Jacob jogs at my side. Appreciating the finite time we have to complete our task. In wolf form, it would be easily achievable, but on two legs, we would have to run if we were to make it to my rooms before dawn. As it was, questions would be raised regarding our prolonged absence. We picked up the pace, doing my best not to jostle Lorna. She needed her rest and I would not wake her and run the risk of scaring her. I couldn't bare to have her scared of me. Not ever. Hours later, darkness begins to retreat and streams of colour take over the sky. We climb a ridge, taking in the full dawning sun revealing the pack house in the valley below. Breath escapes me as I see nothing more than a handful of warriors on guard, and most of them appear to be asleep or drunk. That was not good enough protection for his luna. I turn to Jacob, " Contact our contingent of warriors, have them here in the next few hours, our Luna requires her pack to protect her" "They have been awaiting this duty for many moons, they are encamped just outside the territory, they will be here before our Luna awakens" Jacob decrees and I finally grasp the significance of what he is feeling. Although I have been searching for my mate for years, the pack have been awaiting the arrival of their Luna to unite and cherish them for just as long. "Let's hurry, before these idiots regain consciousness. We all need rest, and my mate needs to be in my arms in my bed to fully rest. Ensure our doctor comes straight to our rooms when she arrives" "Yes Alpha" 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. 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