Several weeks later, Lucas was still sitting outside Elena's house. His father and mother had tried to get him to leave, to eat or sleep. Even Caleb had wanted to give him a drink.
Not one could make him leave, or listen. His pack was becoming concerned. They had never seen him like this. Elena had gone before but Lucas had never acted like this.
One day, when Mary brought him some food. She sat beside him and placed a hand on his arm. His head moved slightly to look at the hand.
"Lucas, I know we haven't known each other long but do you want to talk to me? I know your family are worried about you."
"I need her to come back!" he whined.
"Why? From what I've learnt, you two were close but you've never reacted this way when she'd gone away before … Right?"
Lucas sighed and finally pulled his gaze away from the tree line.
"Things have changed now … She's my mate."
"What! Really? How did that happen? You've known each other for years."
"I don't know. Her life was awful when we first met and she was closed off. Maybe because of that, fate didn't want to rush a mate upon her until she was ready."
"That makes sense I guess. Maybe she needed to learn to trust again not just you but herself aswell. Does she know?"
Lucas shook his head.
"No, well at least I don't think so. She knows about mates and how they usually find out but I don't think she knows that there is another way."
"You two slept together?" she confirmed.
"Yeah, it's a long story."
"I have time," she offered gently.
"Did Caleb tell you anything about her?"
"He told me how she came to live here, and he didn't need to say how she felt towards him. I could tell."
"Yeah well, after we all found out about you, she was upset but I think she kind of knew it would happen. Then I accidentally let slip that everyone knew about how she felt, being wolves and all. Naturally, she was upset and started drinking."
"She was convinced that everyone was laughing and talking about her behind her back. I was trying to convince her that it wasn't true and that everyone thought she was amazing. Then one thing led to another and we ended up sleeping together."
"I see, and did you tell her?"
"No, she fell fast asleep and my mind was whirling. So, I went for a run when I got back she was gone."
"So, she woke up alone after sleeping with her best friend. That best friend was nowhere to be found, I'm not surprised she wanted to get away."
Lucas stared at her in shock.
"Think about it, Lucas. She may not have understood or known what had happened but she would have felt something. I remember the strong pull I felt towards Caleb after we first met and then became stronger after we first slept together."
Lucas immediately stood up and began to pace. His mind was whirling and his heart was racing.
"What have I done? I need to find her. Now!"
---
Elena sighed as she stepped out onto the small porch. The Alpha had gifted this cabin to her when she first arrived. In the beginning, everything had been overwhelming. The alpha had shown her this place for when she needed to get away.
At first, she had spent a lot of time here. Then as time went on, bit by bit she stopped leaving. It had been years since she'd returned to this place, but after waking up alone, she thought she needed to get away.
When she first woke up, her mind had been foggy. She couldn't remember what had happened until she noticed she was naked. Then it all hit her at once.
She waited for the panic and regret to kick in but it never came. The memory of what Lucas had done to her, made a thrill rush down her. Slowly, she turned with a smile, but it quickly changed when she noticed the space next to her.
She got dressed and went to find him only to learn no one had seen him. Elena went to search for him before returning home. Then suddenly, a great pain hit her, along with the knowledge that he had left her.
Elena knew she couldn't stay. The pain was too much. So, without explaining she told them she was moving here for a while. For how long, she had no idea. However, something she noticed a few days ago might force her to return.
Her stomach had already started to grow. At first, she wasn't sure what was going on. The growth was slow but sudden at first. Elena then remembered her night with Lucas and that's when realisation had hit her.
'Am I going to have Lucas's baby?' she thought.
Elena had seen enough of the women in the pack get pregnant to know that she was with child. At first, it had freaked her out how fast they grew and then all of a sudden, out comes the baby.
Helen had explained since they were having a wolf shifter's child, they followed a wolf's gestation. They would have their child within eight to ten weeks.
"I need to tell Lucas," she sighed to herself as she rubbed her slightly swollen stomach.
Pain radiated through her at the idea of seeing him. It caused her to stagger a little before she regained her balance.
"I can't go back, I can't see him again! What am I going to do?"
Elena returned inside unsure of what to do. Her heart was at war with itself, half told her to go back, but the other was saying stay put.
She knew she needed to tell someone, she couldn't give birth to this child alone.
---
Later that evening Elena resolved to return to the pack the next day. She would refuse to see Lucas, she doubted he would accept that. Instead, she would visit Helen, she would know what to do.
Early the next morning, Elena readied herself for the long walk. She needed to make sure she got in and out before he saw her. She made sure to wear a loose-fitting dress to hide her bump, just in case.
It took her a long moment to realise that the constant ache she'd been feeling since she woke up that morning had dissipated.
She paused at her door. Unsure of why she was feeling lighter. It wasn't until she opened the door that she got her answer.
"Lucas!"