Avenging Luna
Chapter 105: Dying

Chapter 105: Dying

Leila POV:

My nurse, Ann, came in, handing me the medicine prescribed by Dr. Harry—something to make me appear more sickly as I ushered in phase three of my plan. After she left, I could feel the medicine taking hold, and boy, did it work. A wave of nausea crashed over me, and I barely made it to the bathroom before I was retching violently, expelling everything I had in my stomach.

That’s how Drake found me. He insisted on coming in, pushing through the door with an urgency that startled me. He held my hair back as I heaved, his touch surprisingly gentle. There was no disgust on his face, no repulsion—just concern, pure and unfiltered. He rubbed small circles on my back, a calming rhythm that helped me focus through the waves of nausea. When I finally finished, I splashed water on my face and brushed my teeth, but he was still there, watching me with an intensity that made my heart ache.

"Just wait in the room," I told him, my voice shaky, but he stubbornly shook his head, refusing to leave my side. He looked at me as if I would collapse any moment and to say the truth my legs felt like jelly which would collapse anytime soon.

Once I was done cleaning myself up, he swept me into his arms, carrying me in a princess hold. In another time, in another place, it might have felt romantic, but all I could feel was the weight of our circumstances. I felt awful, both emotionally and physically. Drake looked as if he had aged ten years in the span of a few hours, his expression a mix of love and sorrow that made my heart twist with guilt.

But I couldn’t break now. I had to stay strong. I had to bear this pain, both mine and his, to expose Lily for what she truly was. I needed to be more cunning than her, more determined, and I wouldn’t let anything—least of all my own emotions—get in the way of my goal.

Drake placed me gently on the bed, tucking me in with such care that it sent a rush of warmth through my chest, even amidst the pain. He settled into the chair beside me, his presence a steady anchor in the storm of emotions swirling around us. He took my hand in his, his grip firm yet tender, as if he feared I might slip away.

"Leila, please... you’ve got to fight," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I’m not ready to lose you. Please, Leila."

His words hung in the air, each one laced with so much sorrow that it brought tears to my eyes. I could feel the weight of his fear pressing down on me, and my heart ached at the thought of the torment I was putting him through.

My wolf, Layla, whimpered inside me, sharing in my despair. She felt the pain of our mate, the depth of his worry, but she also understood the necessity of our plan. We had to clear our name, to expose the truth that threatened everything we held dear. Even as I felt Drake’s love enveloping me, I knew I had to stay strong—not just for myself, but for him and our future if there’s one. I know after this after proving my innocence it still wouldn’t erase the fact that I had caused him so much pain that ilied to him I was dying.

Drake POV:

I pushed open the bathroom door and found Leila hunched over the toilet, her body heaving as she vomited. My heart sank at the sight, a rush of panic flooding through me. "Leila!" I exclaimed, my voice a mix of concern and desperation. Without hesitation, I stepped inside, instinctively moving closer to hold her hair back. I could feel the heat radiating off her skin, the sweat collecting on her forehead, and it tore at me. She was suffering, and I was helpless to stop it.

As she continued to retch, I rubbed small circles on her back, trying to soothe her through the chaos. It didn’t matter how repulsive the situation was; all I could think about was her. My mind raced, caught in a whirlwind of emotions—frustration, fear, anger. I wanted to scream at whoever had put her in this position, to rage against the injustice of it all. But most of all, I felt the gut-wrenching terror of losing her.

When she finally finished, I helped her clean herself up, watching her closely. She looked fragile, as if she might shatter with the slightest touch. I wanted to take away her pain, to absorb it all myself if it meant she could find peace. "Just wait in the room," she murmured, her voice shaky. But I couldn’t leave her. Not now. Not when she was like this.

I picked her up, cradling her in my arms and carrying her back to the bed. It felt so wrong—this should have been a moment filled with romance and warmth, yet the circumstances wrapped around us like a cold, suffocating blanket. I tucked her in, my heart aching at how small she seemed, how helpless. I took a seat in the chair beside her, holding her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine, a stark contrast to the chill creeping into my bones.

"Leila, please... you’ve got to fight," I said, my voice trembling. "I’m not ready to lose you. Please, Leila." I watched as tears glistened in her eyes, and my heart shattered a little more. The depth of her pain reflected in her gaze filled me with sorrow. I could feel my wolf stirring, restless and furious, urging me to do something, anything, to help her.

But I was bound by this twisted fate, this nightmare we were both trapped in. My frustration simmered beneath the surface.

Inside, Gile whimpered, torn between the desire to comfort our mate and the need to protect her from the world’s cruelty. I felt my resolve hardening—this was a fight we couldn’t lose. I needed her to survive, to rise above this darkness, not just for me but for our little son.

"Drake," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but it struck me like a lifeline. "I will fight. I promise." Her words were a balm to my frayed nerves, igniting a flicker of hope in my chest. I squeezed her hand tighter, willing her to hold onto that promise, because I would do anything to keep her alive. I would fight alongside her, even if it meant facing the demons lurking in the shadows anything else but loosing her.

Lily POV:

I was chatting with Nelly today, feigning concern as she poured her heart out about Drake and Leila. She was helping Lucas run the pack as Drake took care of his dying mate. Nelly was worried, her voice thick with sadness as she spoke about her friend’s impending demise, and I had to play along, nodding solemnly, murmuring words of sympathy. Inside, though, I could barely contain my excitement. The news of Leila’s condition felt like music to my ears—every note a reminder of how close I was to achieving my dream.

His dying mate. The words danced in my mind like a twisted melody. I never thought the day would come so soon, but here we were. Leila was closer to death than I had anticipated, and I relished every moment of it. I couldn’t help but feel a wicked sense of satisfaction, the thrill of knowing that my hard work was finally paying off. All those careful plots and whispered lies were about to bear fruit, and the taste was sweeter than I had imagined.

"Such a tragedy," I replied to Nelly, forcing my features into a mask of concern. "I can’t believe it. Poor Leila... poor Drake." I leaned forward, my voice low and empathetic, masking the glee bubbling beneath the surface. I was a master of deception, and every word I spoke was laced with the poison of my true intentions.

As Nelly continued to lament, I allowed myself a moment to revel in the thought of what this meant for me. Drake would soon be free—free to see me for who I really was, to realize the power I could wield by his side. The prospect of taking Leila’s place filled me with an intoxicating rush. I could already envision the life I would lead, the power I would hold.

Hard work does pay off, I mused, stifling a smirk. All the sacrifices, the manipulation, and the careful planning were finally coming to fruition. I could almost hear the chorus of victory in the distance, a sweet serenade heralding my rise. I had been patient, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and now it was here.

With every whispered word of sympathy, I could feel the chains binding me to Leila begin to loosen. Soon, she would be nothing more than a memory, and I would step into the light, taking my rightful place at Drake’s side. I just had to keep playing my part a little longer, maintain the facade until the moment was right.

"Don’t worry, Nelly," I said, my voice dripping with false reassurance. "Drake will find a way to cope. He’s strong." Inside, though, I was reveling in the chaos that was about to unfold. This was my time to shine, and nothing would stand in my way.

I even offered to pay Leila a visit on behalf of Nelly who was really busy and didn’t have time to go see her. What a perfect way to see for myself the downfall of Leila.