Chapter 20 Lorna POV A friend, other than Mrs Clarke, nobody has wanted to be my friend in.... in longer than I can remember. But why would she want to be my friend? She is beautiful and smart and elegant. I'm an uneducated abused dirty shell of a girl. Reminding myself of that takes the shine off her request and the amazing feelings I have been experiencing over the last 12 hours. Drake senses the change in me, picks me from the chair I sat in and sits down in my place. Pulling me on to his lap, his arms wrap around me and he nuzzles my neck. "You are amazing, my beautiful clever mate" he whispers to me. Holding me tight, I feel my doubts flow out of me and peace settles in its place. Closing my eyes, I turn in his embrace and snuggle deeper into him. Something deep inside me knowing that in my mates arms, nothing can hurt me. "How did you know?" I whisper, though I already suspect the answer. "Xavier and Athena talk.... a lot" he smiles down at my face and then becomes serious again. "Things will get easier. Give it time. I am not going anywhere. My feelings are only going to get stronger, though already I am desperate to have you in my arms all the time" sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findnøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Perhaps we should eat all meals like this" I ask, feeling more cheery. Drakes face lights up. "See, I told you, you are clever. That's a fantastic idea and I heartily agree to this" he nods to re-enforce his agreement. A giggle escapes me. "I was being silly" I say before giggling again. "No, now you have said it, I realise it is the perfect way to eat every meal. Well those that we don't take in our rooms, alone, anyway" a blush covers my face at the insinuation of being alone in his rooms. "Our rooms" Drake corrects. "Tattle tales, the pair of them" everyone around the table laughs at us. With us I realise, with not at. That's new. I prefer it, definitely. We all have smiles on our faces as we get back to eating the delicious Chelsea buns. Thank goddess for Mrs Clarke. Oh how I'm going to miss her.... she has been my everything in recent years. I wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for her. That solum thought distracts me again. "Don't tell him Athena, give me the chance to keep a few thoughts to myself, please" "Hmm...... very well, I will but if I fear you are putting yourself in danger or that they can ease your worries, I will let them know that you're struggling" "Very well, thank you Athena" I let out a breath of relief, after years of having nothing but my own thoughts, to lose that privacy would be...... disastrous, despite all the positive changes I'm experiencing. "I hear you Lorna, and I'm sorry for betraying that trust, I promise, I will stick to our terms" More settled and still in my mates arms, I finish my breakfast and mentally prepare myself for an unknown and difficult road ahead. "If your finished Luna, would we be ok to go into the other room to talk privately and I can do some doctoring while we chat" Lilly asked. I liked how she asked since I wasn't sure what tests she wanted to do on me. I move to get up from Drake and to do as she requested, but he pulls me tighter into him and, while supporting my head, kisses my lips like we are the only ones in the room. After a few minutes lost in each other, Drake pulls away ever so slightly. Eyes still closed, he whispers, I'll be right here. Even just being next door from you is going to be difficult for me and X so don't be too long, please baby" Drake implores and I'm swept aware by the need in his voice. I give a small nod and follow Lilly into the bedroom. Looking back at him just as I slowly close the door but don't lock it. I feel better knowing he can get to me if I need him and the longing look on his face, that no doubt matches my own, goes a little way to convincing me that I have a future now. Him. Him and his pack. I cross the room and sit at the small seating area in the closet. Lilly is already sitting there and has her medical bag with her. I didn't notice it before. "Are we in doctor/ patient mode now or .." Lilly interrupts me. "We are in a friend with a small amount of knowledge looking after her friend and Luna.. mode" understanding her meaning I relax a little. "I already know a little about what you have been through, however I am sure there is far more and that you would perhaps rather not have that discussed at this time" I nod, encouraging her to continue. "Ok, with that in mind, I would like to have a look at you, ideally without clothes on however in your underwear will suffice today, and I would like to take some samples of hair and blood to have it tested. Is that alright?" I think for a moment and agree that is a reasonable request from a physician. I nod again. Lilly stands and grabs robe from the back of the bathroom door, handing it to me, she turns around. I remove my ratty clothes, though I do not own underwear so I am naked, and put on the robe. Taking a breath. "Ready" I say, barely above a whisper, but given wolf hearing is so good, it is not a surprise that she hears me. Thank goodness for sound proofing. Lilly turns around, gives me a compassionate look, a then unties the robe, little by little, she looks at every scar, every bruise, and every burn. Without me having to voice it she is reading my life like you would braille on a page. Standing there so raw and vulnerable was taking every ounce of my strength, and even some I didn't know I had. I close my eyes, unable to remain in the room, and place my mind with Athena. Running around a majestic lake. Losing myself in my mind, I don't notice Lilly moving to my back or her covering me back up again once she had finished her study. It's only when she begins to hum a tune and then sings behind me that I realise she trying to pull me back into the room gently. It takes a moment to realise it is a common lullaby among wolf packs, and reminds me of simpler times. In that moment I know her character and I am her friend. I compose myself at sit back down, I still can't bring myself to look her in the eyes, to see her pity. Lilly kneels before, and attaches a need to my arm, filling multiple viles with my blood. After a few minutes she is finished and it's time to face her. However, before I can, she stands, and gives me her back. 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