Avenging Luna
Chapter 36: Heat or Labour

Chapter 36: Heat or Labour

Drake’s POV:

The kiss was rough, desperate, and full of the fire that had been simmering between us for far too long. My hands slid down her back, pulling her closer, and she responded more intense. The cold water did little to cool the fire burning inside her. Leila’s hands were everywhere, tracing the muscles of my chest, sliding down my sides, her touch both a comfort and a torment.

"Drake," she whispered again, her voice soft but urgent, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pulled me closer. "Please..."

I knew I had to resist. I knew that giving in now would only make things worse, that she needed me to be strong for her. But with her so close, her body pressed against mine, it was becoming harder and harder to think clearly. Her scent, her warmth, the softness of her skin—it was all too much.

"Leila," I murmured, trying to pull back, but she clung to me, her eyes filled with a need that mirrored my own. "I... I can’t..."

But before I could finish, she moved her lips against my neck, a shiver running down my spine as she whispered my name again, this time with a desperation that cut through me like a knife. My resolve was slipping, crumbling under the weight of the bond between us, and I could feel myself leaning into her touch, my willpower fracturing.

"No," I finally managed to say, my voice rough and strained. "I won’t take advantage of you like this, Leila. You’re not yourself right now."

"I am myself," she insisted, her voice a mix of frustration and desire. "I know what I want, Drake. I want you."

Her words sent a wave of heat through me, and I had to fight with everything I had not to give in. But I knew I was losing the battle, and quickly. Every part of me wanted to give her what she was asking for, to make her mine in every way possible, but I knew that if I did, I would be betraying the very bond I was trying to protect.

But then she looked up at me, her eyes wide and vulnerable, and I could see the tears starting to form in them. The sight broke something inside me, and I felt my resolve crumbling even further.

"I’m sorry, Leila," I whispered, my voice trembling as I pulled her close, pressing my forehead against hers. "I want you too, more than anything, but I can’t... I can’t do this to you. Not like this."

For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, as if my words were finally getting through to her, but then she shook her head, her hands gripping my shoulders as she looked up at me with an intensity that took my breath away.

"I need you, Drake," she said, her voice almost a plea. "Please... don’t leave me like this."

Her words were like a knife to my heart, and I knew I couldn’t leave her to suffer alone. I had to do something, anything, to help her. But I couldn’t give in to the heat, not like this. Not when it would only make things worse in the long run.

"I’m not leaving you," I promised, my voice firm even as my heart pounded in my chest. "I’m here, and I’ll stay with you. But I can’t... I can’t do what you’re asking, Leila. Not now."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine for something, and I could see the conflict in them, the mix of frustration and desperation. But then, slowly, she seemed to relax, as if she was finally accepting that I wasn’t going to give in.

"Okay," she finally whispered, her voice soft and trembling. "Okay... I trust you, Drake."

Those words were almost my undoing, but I forced myself to stay strong, to remember that I was doing this for her. I had to protect her, even if it meant protecting her from myself.

Gently, I helped her out of the water, her body trembling from the cold now as I wrapped her in a soft towel, trying to keep my touch as neutral as possible, even though every fiber of my being was screaming to hold her closer, to give her the comfort she was seeking.

She shivered in my arms as I carried her back to the bedroom, her head resting on my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck. I could feel the tension still thrumming through her, the lingering effects of the heat making her restless, but she didn’t fight me this time. Instead, she seemed to curl into me, as if seeking the strength I was struggling to maintain.

When we reached the bed, I laid her down gently, my heart aching as I saw the way she looked up at me, her eyes still filled with that same desperate need. I knew I couldn’t leave her like this, but I also knew I couldn’t give her what she wanted. Not yet.

"I’m going to help you get dressed," I said quietly, my voice thick with emotion as I picked up the robe I had set aside earlier. "But you need to try and rest, Leila. The fever will pass soon, I promise."

She nodded, her movements sluggish as I helped her into the robe, the soft fabric clinging to her damp skin in a way that made it almost impossible to keep my focus. But I had to. For her sake, I had to.

Once she was dressed, I gently tucked her into the bed, pulling the covers up around her to keep her warm. She looked so vulnerable lying there, her eyes half-closed, her breathing still a little too fast. But there was also a softness to her expression now, a trust that made my heart ache even more.

"Stay with me," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she reached out to take my hand.

"I’m not going anywhere," I promised, my voice shaking as I slid into bed beside her, wrapping my arms around her from behind, spooning her close. The contact was both a comfort and a torment, every part of me aching to give in, but I knew I couldn’t. Not when she was still so vulnerable.

She let out a soft sigh as she settled against me, her body warm and pliant in my arms, and I could feel the tension slowly leaving her, her breathing evening out as she began to drift off to sleep. But even in sleep, she was still affected by the heat, her body shifting restlessly against mine, making it nearly impossible to keep my own desires in check.

But I had to. For her, I would endure anything. I would stay strong, no matter how hard it was.

"Sleep, Leila," I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the back of her head. "I’m here. I’ll always be here."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, her breathing slowed, her body relaxing fully into mine as she fell into a deep sleep. I let out a shaky breath, my heart still pounding in my chest as I held her close, my mind racing with everything that had happened.

I had come so close to losing control, to giving in to the heat, but somehow, I had managed to stay strong. And now, as I lay there with Leila in my arms, I knew that I would do whatever it took to protect her. No matter what, I would always put her needs above my own.

But as I held her, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest against mine, I couldn’t help but wonder how long I could keep this up. How long could I resist the bond between us, the overwhelming need that pulled us together?

Only time would tell. But for now, all that mattered was that she was safe, that I had kept my promise to her.

Just as I was beginning to relax, holding Leila close and letting the exhaustion of the day wash over me, the bond between Lucas and me flared to life. It was Nelly.

"Drake," her voice was faint but urgent, breaking through the fog of my drowsiness. "It’s Nelly... she’s in labor... she’s asking for you."

My heart lurched. The child—my child—was coming.

I felt the weight of the moment press down on me, threatening to suffocate me. The bond with Leila throbbed in one direction, pulling me to stay by her side, to protect her and see her through this vulnerable time. But now, there was another pull, one I couldn’t ignore—the imminent arrival of my son or daughter. My child.

"She’s asking for you," Nelly repeated, and there was something in her voice, a desperation that made my chest tighten. This was the moment every Alpha anticipated, the birth of their heir, the continuation of their legacy. But now, it felt like a noose tightening around my neck, pulling me in two directions, neither of which I could abandon.

Guilt stabbed through me like a blade. I couldn’t leave her like this, not after everything. But could I really turn my back on lily in her time of need? On the child that was about to be born?

I felt Gile stir restlessly within me, torn just as I was. He rumbled with dissatisfaction, a deep growl vibrating through my chest. "Our mate needs us," he snarled, his voice rough with frustration. "But the pup... our bloodline..."

I clenched my jaw, torn between duty and desire. I’d promised Leila that I would be here for her, that I wouldn’t leave her side. But Lily... she was about to give birth to a child, a child that was supposed to be mine.

My thoughts raced, the weight of the decision crushing me. Could I really leave Leila here, alone and vulnerable, when she needed me the most? But could I also leave Lily to face this alone, knowing that my child was about to be born?