Avenging Luna
Chapter 28: Baby or Mate (part II)

Chapter 28: Baby or Mate (part II)

Drake’s POV:

As the time to leave approached, we all exchanged our goodbyes with Lily. Nelly and Lucas were preparing to head back to the packhouse, and I was ready to follow them. But just as I turned to leave, Lily grabbed my hand, her eyes wide and filled with panic. She clung to me, her voice breaking as she begged, "Drake, please, don’t leave me alone. What if the person who tried to harm me and our baby comes back to finish what they started?"

Her words were laced with desperation, and I could see the genuine fear in her eyes. She was trembling, and for a moment, I hesitated. My instincts screamed to be with Leila, my mate, to comfort her and assure her that everything would be okay. But as I looked at Lily, the mother of my unborn child, I knew I couldn’t just walk away. The threat she mentioned wasn’t something I could ignore. If someone had indeed tampered with the stairs, they might try again, and I couldn’t bear the thought of what could happen if I wasn’t there to protect her and our baby.

My heart was torn, but I knew what I had to do. I sighed deeply, trying to calm the storm inside me. "Alright, Lily," I said, gently squeezing her hand. "I’ll stay with you. I promised to protect you and our baby, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you. We’ll get through this together."

Lily’s sobs quieted as she leaned back against the bed, relief washing over her features. But even as I said those words, I couldn’t ignore the gnawing feeling in my chest. I wasn’t just staying for her—I was staying because she was right. If someone was willing to go this far, there was no telling what they might do next. I couldn’t afford to take any chances, not when it came to the safety of my child.

I called Lucas back just as he was about to leave. "Lucas, I need you to find Leila," I instructed, my voice low and firm. "Make sure she’s okay and tell her I won’t be coming back tonight. I’m going to stay here at the hospital with Lily."

Lucas hesitated for a moment, his gaze searching mine as if trying to gauge my emotions. Finally, he nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I’ll find her and make sure she’s alright," he promised.

I gave him a small nod of thanks, but my mind was already elsewhere, torn between my duty to protect Lily and my overwhelming need to be with Leila. As much as I wanted to go to my mate, to hold her and reassure her, I knew I couldn’t. My wolf, Gile, growled in frustration, the primal urge to be with our mate clashing with the duty to protect our unborn pup. But I knew this was something I had to do.

As much as it pained me to be away from Leila, my responsibility as a soon-to-be father took precedence. The thought of losing my child before he even had a chance at life was unbearable. I had to stay, had to ensure that nothing happened to Lily or our baby.

After Lucas left, I turned back to Lily, who was watching me with a mix of gratitude and something else—something I couldn’t quite place. I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. "Try to get some rest," I told her softly, pulling a chair next to her bed. "I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere."

She nodded, finally letting go of my hand and sinking back into her pillows, her eyes drifting closed. But even as she relaxed, I remained tense, my thoughts straying to Leila. I could only hope that Lucas found her quickly and that she understood why I had to stay.

As the night wore on, I kept watch over Lily, my mind never straying far from my mate. I prayed that she was safe, that she knew how much I wished I could be with her. But for now, my duty was clear—I had to protect the life that was growing inside Lily, no matter how much it tore at my heart to be apart from Leila.

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the hospital, casting a soft glow across the room. Nelly had arrived earlier with Lily’s breakfast, a gentle smile on her face as she placed the tray on Lily’s bedside table. Lily, still recovering, offered her a weak but grateful smile as she sat up to eat.

I leaned against the door, watching the two women interact. Nelly had always been good at making others feel cared for, and seeing her here with Lily allowed a sense of relief to wash over me. At least with Nelly around, I could afford to step away for a little while and check in on Leila.

I asked Nelly about Leila, and her response was brief but telling. "I was up early," Nelly said, her voice soft. "I prepared breakfast, left some for Leila, and made sure I had everything I needed for Lily. But I didn’t stay long. I think she’s giving everyone space."

My heart clenched at her words. Leila had been avoiding everyone. I wondered just how much of yesterday had hurt her. And while my mind had been consumed with Lily’s safety, my heart ached for Leila. I’d left her alone at a time when she needed me, and the guilt gnawed at me, sharper now than ever.

"Nelly, stay with Lily," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "I need to check in on Leila and handle some pack business. I’ll be back later."

Nelly nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Take your time, Drake. I’ve got everything covered here."

With a final glance at Lily, I turned and left the hospital. My thoughts were a whirlwind of guilt, worry, and a fierce determination to find out who had tried to harm Lily and our baby. But first, I needed to see Leila. I needed to see for myself that she was okay—or at least as okay as she could be after everything.

By the time I reached our room, my heart was pounding with anticipation and dread. I opened the door quietly and stepped inside. Leila was sitting on the bed, a book in her hands, though it didn’t seem like she was reading. She looked up when I entered, and my breath caught in my throat as I took her in.

Her eyes were swollen, the telltale signs of tears staining her cheeks. The sight of her like this—so vulnerable, so hurt—shattered something inside me. I had sworn to protect her, to shield her from the pain she’d known all her life, and yet here she was, still carrying the weight of the heartbreak I had caused.

I stood there, frozen for a moment, unsure of what to say, unsure if words could even begin to make up for what she had endured. But Leila, in her usual way, didn’t let the silence hang for long. She smiled—soft, sweet, and entirely too forgiving.

"You’re back," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the evidence of her pain. "Go shower so we can have breakfast together. Nelly’s busy with Lily, so I’ll have you eating with me during breakfast."

Her words should have been playful, but the undercurrent of sadness was unmistakable. I could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice. She was trying to put on a brave face, trying to act as though everything was fine. But it wasn’t. I had hurt her, and no amount of pretending could change that.

I nodded, unable to find the right words, and walked into the bathroom. As I stood under the stream of hot water, I let my mind wander to the chaos of the past few days. I had wanted to be Leila’s safe place, her sanctuary. But instead, I had thrust her into a complicated, painful situation—one that forced her to live with the knowledge that another woman carried my child.

The guilt sat heavy in my chest, and I knew that no amount of promises could erase what had happened. But I was determined to try. I would prove to her that she came first, that she was my priority, no matter the circumstances. I owed her that much.

After washing up, I quickly dressed and returned to Leila. She had set the table with breakfast—nothing fancy, just simple food that she had prepared before everything became overwhelming. She smiled at me again, that same soft, sweet smile that tore at my insides.

I sat down across from her, trying to meet her gaze, but her eyes were focused on the food. I could feel the weight of unspoken words between us, the tension thick enough to cut through. But for now, I would honor her wishes. We would have breakfast together, and I would show her, in every way I could, that I was still hers—that I had never stopped being hers.

As we ate in relative silence, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this breakfast wasn’t just a meal—it was a moment, a chance to start healing the wounds I had caused. I had a long road ahead of me to prove to Leila that she mattered above all else, and I was ready to take that journey, no matter how difficult.