Leila's POV:
As Drake walked away, my thoughts were consumed by the kiss we had shared. I replayed every detail—the way my body had responded to his touch, the warmth of his skin against mine. Each moment lingered in my mind, a vivid echo of our connection. Layla, my wolf, was teasing me mercilessly. "You're starting to fall in love," she whispered with a teasing edge. I dismissed her gently, "It's just lust," I countered, "The mate bond is making me feel this way." But Layla's voice was soft, almost sympathetic. "Continue lying to yourself," she said, leaving me to grapple with my own feelings.
Desperate to escape the whirlwind of emotions, I sought out Nelly. Over the past few days, she had become a reliable friend, someone I felt I could trust. I needed answers about Lily—the name that had made Drake's demeanor tense and guarded. What was the connection between them, and why did it affect him so deeply? Nelly seemed like the best person to help me uncover the truth.
I found her in the kitchen, where she was snacking on yet another piece of fruit. It seemed like she was always eating, yet she never gained weight. I couldn't help but tease her about it, wondering if she had some sort of secret. Nelly laughed, brushing off my questions with a shrug. "It's all my mate's fault," she joked, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "He's got an insatiable hunger—though not for food," she added with a suggestive wink. We shared a laugh, but my curiosity soon took over.
I took a deep breath, trying to sound nonchalant. "Nelly, who is Lily?" I asked. The moment I uttered the name, her expression changed. Her face grew serious, and she stiffened, just like Drake had. The change was so pronounced it was almost palpable. After a long pause, she began to speak, her voice carrying a mixture of nostalgia and sorrow.
"Lily was part of our childhood group—Lucas, Drake, and me. We were all very close, like family. Lily and Drake were inseparable; they were always together, just like Lucas and I were." Nelly's voice softened, and I could hear the wistfulness in her tone. "When Lucas and I became mates, we were certain that Drake and Lily would eventually end up together, too. But Lily was two years younger, so they had to wait."
Nelly's words painted a picture of a deep, enduring friendship, and a bond that seemed to have been destined for something more. "Despite the age difference, they started dating anyway. When Lily turned eighteen, everyone expected that they'd become mates. But when it was confirmed that they weren't, they continued their relationship. They claimed they loved each other deeply."
My anger began to simmer beneath the surface. Nelly continued, "Drake was ready to mark Lily and make her Luna. But on the very day he was supposed to do it, Lily found her true mate. She left with him and never looked back. She eloped with her new mate, abandoning Drake without a word of goodbye."
The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. How could Lily have been so callous, so selfish? The bitterness of her betrayal was overwhelming. My heart ached for Drake, who had been left to pick up the shattered pieces of his life. The anger I felt towards Lily was tangible. How dare she return now, as if she had any right to disrupt what we were starting to build?
Yet, amidst the fury, a gnawing fear tugged at me. What if Drake's old feelings for Lily resurfaced? Could he possibly choose her over me? Their past was significant, and the thought of him being swayed by it made my stomach churn. The uncertainty and fear of losing him, of having my place in his heart threatened, was almost too much to bear.
I looked at Nelly, trying to mask my turmoil, but my mind was a storm of conflicting emotions. The resentment towards Lily was sharp and unyielding, while the fear of losing Drake was a dark cloud hanging over me. I had to stay strong, but the thought of how this complicated past might impact our future was overwhelming.
It was then that Drake approached me, his expression unreadable. "Can we talk?" he asked, his voice low and steady. My heart skipped a beat as he led me out of the pack house and towards the edge of the forest. Each step felt heavy with dread, and my mind raced with anxious thoughts. Was he taking me to this secluded spot to break up with me? To tell me he was leaving me for Lily? Despite the pain she had caused him, Lily was still a part of his past, and I feared that the old feelings might resurface.
As we moved deeper into the woods, the forest enveloped us in its tranquil embrace. The path grew softer beneath our feet, and the trees seemed to part just enough to let dappled sunlight filter through their leaves. Drake's hand was steady on my back, guiding me further away from the pack house. The isolation of the forest was both serene and unsettling, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within me.
Drake finally stopped in a small clearing. I was momentarily distracted by the beauty of our surroundings. A gentle stream meandered through the clearing, its waters sparkling as they danced over smooth stones. The sound of the stream was soothing, a rhythmic murmur that seemed to calm my racing heart. Tall trees encircled the clearing, their leaves whispering in the soft breeze. Wildflowers dotted the grass, adding splashes of color to the green landscape. The air was fresh and filled with the earthy scent of nature, mingling with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers.
I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the place. It was as though we had stepped into a hidden paradise, a secret haven where only the purest moments should occur. The serenity of the scene seemed at odds with the turmoil of the conversation I feared was about to unfold. The setting was perfect for declarations of love and promises, not for the painful end of a relationship. This was a place where proposals were made, where couples might share their hopes and dreams for the future.
Drake's presence was a stark contrast to the peaceful surroundings. He stood facing me, his gaze earnest yet troubled. The beauty of the clearing felt almost like a cruel irony. How could he choose such a perfect spot for something that felt so deeply wrong? It was a place that seemed to invite love, not heartbreak.
As he began to speak, my mind fought against the negative thoughts that surged forward. I wanted to focus on his words, to understand what he was trying to convey. The stream's gentle gurgle seemed to mock my anxiety, a reminder of how out of place my fears felt in this tranquil setting. I forced myself to listen, trying to push aside the gnawing fear that he might be about to shatter my heart in such a beautiful place.
In the quiet of the clearing, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature, I felt a strange sense of calm. The forest, with its tranquil beauty, seemed to offer a small measure of solace even as I braced myself for the conversation ahead. Whatever Drake had to say, this beautiful place would forever be etched in my memory as the backdrop to one of the most emotionally charged moments of my life.
Drake's POV:
"I think you know that I don't have any parents," I began, my voice steady but carrying the weight of old wounds. "They died because of the betrayal from their allied pack." Leila nodded, her eyes reflecting the understanding that almost everyone shared. The story of how the Moonshine Pack had betrayed the Blood Moon Pack, leading to the deaths of my parents—the Alpha and Luna—was well-known. Many had expected that once I gained power, I would seek revenge. What they didn't realize was that I was biding my time, allowing them to believe I had no intention of vengeance. My strategy was to let them think I'd moved on, and then, when they least expected it, I would strike.
But today wasn't about that. Today was about something much more personal and difficult. I could see the confusion in Leila's eyes, and I knew the next part would be even harder for her to hear than it was for me to say. I took her hands in mine, the gesture meant to offer comfort and grounding. "I want to tell you that I wouldn't wish this on any child, much less my child," I said, my voice thick with emotion.
Leila's eyes searched mine, a mixture of uncertainty and fear dancing across her face. The intensity of her gaze made my heart ache, knowing how difficult this conversation was for both of us. "You need to know that no matter what happens, you are the one I love and want. But you have to promise me we'll stick together. That you won't leave or run away, please." I held her hands tighter, my plea earnest. I needed her to understand how much she meant to me and how crucial her presence was in my life.
Her eyes were filled with uncertainty, and I saw the fear reflecting back at me. I could sense the weight of her emotions and knew she was struggling to process what I was saying. I pleaded with her, my voice trembling, hoping she would understand the gravity of what I was about to reveal. After what felt like an eternity, she nodded, a small, hesitant agreement.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Lily is pregnant," I said, each word feeling like a weight lifting off my chest but also sinking me deeper into dread. "And she says it's mine."
The silence that followed was heavy, punctuated only by the soft murmur of the stream in the clearing. Leila's expression shifted from confusion to shock, and then to an unreadable mix of hurt and betrayal. I could see the pain in her eyes, the way her shoulders tensed. I wanted to reach out and comfort her, to tell her that this situation was as shocking and painful for me as it was for her.
Leila took a step back, her hands slipping from mine as she tried to process the revelation. The beautiful setting that had seemed like a cruel irony now felt like an unforgiving backdrop to the hardest moment of our lives. My heart ached seeing her struggle with the news. I wanted to take away her pain, to reassure her that despite everything, my love for her was unwavering.
But the truth was, I was just as lost in this situation as she was. My past with Lily, the betrayal, the complicated emotions—I knew it all added up to a situation that was far from simple. Yet, as I watched Leila's reaction, I realized that the most important thing was to face this together. I needed her to know that despite everything, my commitment to her was real and steadfast. I could only hope that in time, we would find a way to navigate through this turmoil and build a future that was stronger for having faced these challenges together.