Avenging Luna
Chapter 37: Marking

Chapter 37: Marking

Drake’s POV:

I stood at the threshold of the cottage, my thoughts swirling in a storm of confusion and guilt. The weight of the decision I’d just made pressed heavily on my shoulders, making it difficult to breathe. I couldn’t tear my mind away from the image of Leila lying on that bed, her body trembling from the effects of the heat coursing through her veins. But the knowledge that Nelly was in labor, about to bring my child into the world, kept pulling me back to the pack house, demanding my presence.

"Goddess," I whispered, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "What the hell am I supposed to do?"

Gile, my wolf, was pacing restlessly in my mind, his agitation mirroring my own. He was conflicted, torn between the primal urge to protect and comfort our mate and the deep-rooted instinct to ensure the safety of our offspring. His growls echoed in my head, a constant reminder of the turmoil we were both facing.

"Our mate needs us," Gile snarled, his voice laced with desperation. "She’s in pain, Drake. We can’t leave her like this."

I clenched my fists, trying to steady my racing thoughts. I knew he was right. Leila was suffering, and the bond between us was amplifying her pain tenfold. But how could I ignore the birth of my child? The heir to my pack, my bloodline?I took a step towards the door, intending to leave, but the moment I did, a wave of Leila’s scent hit me like a freight train. It was intoxicating, a heady mix of sweetness and desire that sent Gile into a frenzy.

My knees almost buckled under the intensity of it, and I had to grip the doorframe to keep myself from collapsing."Fuck," I muttered under my breath, my body reacting to her scent in ways I couldn’t control. Gile howled in frustration, his need to be with our mate overpowering everything else. I could feel him pushing against the boundaries of my control, desperate to take over, to claim what was his.

"Drake," he growled, his voice dangerously close to a command. "We can’t leave her like this. She needs us. She’s ours."

My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to make sense of the conflicting emotions warring within me. Every instinct I had was telling me to stay with Leila, to protect her, to comfort her. But the rational part of me knew that my responsibilities as an Alpha couldn’t be ignored. The pack needed me. My child needed me. But then I heard it—a soft, pained whimper from the room behind me. Leila. I turned, my eyes drawn to the bed where she lay.

Her body was curled up, trembling with the force of the heat that was wracking her body. Her breathing was shallow, and I could see the sweat glistening on her skin, her clothes clinging to her in a way that made my pulse quicken. Her scent was growing stronger, more potent, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to think clearly. I knew I couldn’t leave her like this. Not when she was so vulnerable. Not when I was the one who had put her in this situation.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to think logically despite the overwhelming desire threatening to consume me. I couldn’t go to Nelly. Not yet. Not when Leila was in this condition.

"Lucas, "I linked him, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "I need you and Nelly to stay with Lily. I’ll come as soon as I can, but right now, Leila needs me."

There was a pause, and I could sense Lucas’s hesitation. He knew the significance of what I was asking, but he also understood the bond between a wolf and his mate.

"Understood," he replied finally, though I could hear the concern in his voice. "Take care of her, Drake."

I cut the link, my focus now solely on Leila. She was still trembling, her body arching slightly as the heat intensified. Gile was on the verge of losing control, and I knew that if I didn’t act quickly, I’d be lost to the primal urges coursing through me. I approached the bed slowly, my heart pounding in my chest. The closer I got to her, the stronger the pull became.

It was as if an invisible force was drawing me in, demanding that I be near her, that I touch her, that I claim her. But I couldn’t let that happen. Not like this. Not when she was in such a vulnerable state.

"Leila," I called softly, hoping to rouse her from the feverish haze she was in. "I’m here. I’m not going to leave you."

Her eyes fluttered open at the sound of my voice, but they were glazed over, unfocused. It was clear she wasn’t fully conscious, her mind clouded by the overwhelming effects of the heat. She looked at me, but it was as if she didn’t really see me. Instead, there was a wild, desperate look in her eyes, one that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Drake," she murmured, her voice thick with need. "Please... I need... I need you..."

Gile roared inside me, demanding that I give in, that I take her right then and there. My body responded to her words, to the desperation in her voice, but I fought against it with everything I had.

"No, Leila," I whispered, my voice strained. "Not like this. You’re not yourself right now."

But she didn’t seem to hear me. Instead, she reached out, her fingers grazing my arm, sending jolts of electricity through me. The touch was light, almost innocent, but it set my nerves on fire. She shifted slightly, her body arching towards me, and I could see the desperation in her movements.

"Please, Drake," she whispered again, her voice laced with raw need. "I need you to... to mark me... to mate with me... please..."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine, and I could feel my control slipping. Gile was beyond reasoning now, a primal force that was desperate to claim what was his. He growled and snapped at the edges of my mind, demanding that I give in to the overwhelming urge to take her, to mark her as mine.

"Leila," I tried to reason with her, but my voice was shaking. "You don’t know what you’re asking. You’re not thinking clearly. The heat... it’s making you say things you don’t mean."

But she didn’t stop. Her hands were on me now, pulling me closer, her fingers digging into my skin. Her scent was overwhelming, intoxicating, and I could feel my resolve crumbling with each passing second. I knew I needed to stop her, to pull away before I lost control completely. But when I looked into her eyes, saw the raw vulnerability there, the desperation, I found myself unable to move.

"Drake," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "Please... I need you... I need you to make it stop..."

Gile howled in my mind, his need becoming unbearable. I could feel the shift in her energy, the way her body responded to mine, the way her scent wrapped around me, clouding my thoughts. And then, in an instant, I felt it—the shift. Leila’s wolf, Layla, had taken over, her presence unmistakable in the way her eyes turned from blue to dark brown, in the way she moved, more deliberate, more primal.

"Mate," she growled, her voice low and dangerous. "Mark me. Now."

I stumbled back, trying to put some distance between us, but she was on me in an instant, her hands clutching at my shirt, pulling me down to her. Her strength was surprising, and for a moment, I was caught off guard, unable to react.

"Leila," I gasped, trying to regain control, but it was useless. She was too strong, too determined. Before I knew it, she had me pinned beneath her, her body pressed against mine in a way that made my blood boil. Her lips found my neck, her teeth grazing the sensitive skin there, and I knew that if I didn’t do something soon, I’d lose the battle entirely.

"Mark me," she growled again, her voice dripping with need. "Make me yours, Drake. Now."

Gile was practically foaming at the mouth, desperate to do as she asked, to claim her once and for all. But I couldn’t let that happen. Not like this. Not when she wasn’t in control of herself. I managed to flip us over, pinning her beneath me, holding her wrists above her head. It took every ounce of strength I had to keep her there, to keep myself from giving in to the overwhelming urge to mate with her.

"No, Leila," I gritted out, my voice hoarse. "I won’t do this. Not like this."

But she was relentless, her body arching against mine, her scent driving me to the brink of madness. Her eyes locked onto mine, dark and wild, and I could see the desperation there, the need.

"Please, Drake," she whispered, her voice breaking.

The air was thick with tension, the scent of Leila’s heat intoxicating and overwhelming. I could barely think straight, Gile fighting for control as every fiber of my being screamed to claim her, to make her mine. But I hesitated, torn between the primal urge to submit to the bond and the need to ensure she was truly ready.

Leila’s eyes were wild, and before I could react, she moved with a speed and strength that took me by surprise. She managed to pin me down, her body pressing against mine, her breath hot against my neck.

"If you won’t mark me," Layla growled, her voice thick with desire and command, "then I’ll mark you. You’re mine, Drake, and I won’t let anyone stand between us—not even you."

Her words were like a spark to dry tinder, igniting something deep within me. I could feel her wolf’s dominance, the primal need to claim and be claimed, and Gile was practically howling in response. The conflict in my mind faded as I realized what needed to happen. There was no more time for hesitation.

"Do it," I whispered, my voice hoarse with emotion and desire. "Mark me, Layla. I’m yours."

The moment those words left my lips, Layla’s eyes darkened with determination. She didn’t wait, didn’t hesitate. Her lips curled into a predatory smile as she leaned in closer, her breath sending shivers down my spine.

The anticipation was almost unbearable, every nerve in my body tingling as Layla’s teeth grazed the sensitive skin of my neck. The contact was light at first, teasing, but the power behind it was undeniable. I could feel the primal energy of her wolf, and Gile was practically vibrating with need.

Then, with a swift, decisive motion, she bit down. Her teeth sank into my flesh with a force that made me gasp, the initial shock of pain sharp and intense. But almost immediately, the pain was overwhelmed by something else—something far more powerful. The bond between us flared to life, a burning connection that shot through my body like a jolt of electricity.

What I hadn’t expected was the pleasure that followed. As the pain of the bite began to fade, it was replaced by a deep, intoxicating pleasure that spread through me, starting at the mark and radiating outward. It was as if the mark had unlocked something within me, a primal connection that made my blood sing and my heart race.

I let out a low, guttural moan, my body trembling under the onslaught of sensations. The pleasure was overwhelming, consuming, and I could feel Gile’s satisfaction, his contentment at being claimed. Layla’s bite was firm, possessive, and I could feel the power of the mark searing itself into my skin, binding us together in a way that was more profound than anything I’d ever experienced.

"Mine," Layla growled against my skin, her voice filled with a fierce possessiveness that sent another wave of pleasure through me. "You’re mine, Drake. No one else can have you."

The words echoed in my mind, the truth of them sinking deep into my soul. I was hers—completely, irrevocably hers. And I wanted it, needed it, more than anything else.

As the pleasure continued to build, I could feel Layla’s grip on me begin to loosen. The intensity in her eyes softened, and I could see the transition happening—the shift from Layla back to Leila. Her wolf had done what she needed to do, and now she was retreating, giving control back to her human side.

Leila’s eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and when they opened again, they were no longer the dark, wild eyes of her wolf. They were the eyes of my mate, my Leila, full of emotion and vulnerability.

"Drake," she whispered, her voice shaky, as if she wasn’t quite sure what had just happened. "What... what did I do?"

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, my heart still racing from the intensity of the moment. I cupped her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing gently over her cheeks as I looked into her eyes.

"You marked me, Leila," I said softly, my voice full of emotion. "You claimed me as yours."

Her eyes widened slightly, and I could see the realization dawning on her. She looked down at where she had bitten me, the mark still fresh on my skin, and her expression shifted to one of shock and disbelief.

"I... I didn’t mean to," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I wasn’t... I wasn’t in control, Drake. Layla... she took over. I... I’m so sorry."

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Don’t apologize, Leila. It’s okay. I’m yours, just like you’re mine."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine for any hint of anger or resentment, but there was none. All she would find was love, and a deep, unwavering commitment to her.

"But... but I didn’t mean to force it," she whispered, her voice full of guilt. "I didn’t want to hurt you, Drake. I didn’t want to take away your choice."

I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, trying to reassure her. "You didn’t take anything away from me, Leila. You gave me something—something I’ve wanted since the moment I realized you were mine."

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with tears, and I could see the emotion welling up inside her. "I... I don’t know what to say," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I... I’m sorry, Drake. I just... I couldn’t stop it. The heat, it was... it was too much. I couldn’t think straight."

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close, holding her against me as if I could shield her from the world. "You don’t need to apologize, Leila," I whispered, my voice soothing. "You’re mine, and I’m yours. That’s all that matters now."

She buried her face in my chest, her body trembling slightly as the last of the adrenaline faded from her system. I could feel the bond between us, strong and unbreakable, and I knew that no matter what happened, we would face it together.

"I’m sorry," she whispered one last time, her voice barely audible, but I just held her tighter, letting her know without words that I was here for her, that I would always be here for her.

As I held her, I could feel her relax, the tension slowly leaving her body. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and I knew she needed to rest. The intensity of the past few hours had taken its toll on both of us, but now, with the bond strengthened, with the mark sealing our connection, there was a sense of peace settling over us.

I gently lifted her into my arms, careful not to disturb her any more than necessary. She was light, her body soft and warm against mine, and I could feel the way she curled into me, seeking comfort.

"Let’s get you to bed," I murmured, my voice low and soothing.

She didn’t resist, simply nodding weakly as she let herself be carried. I made my way to the bedroom, each step slow and measured, not wanting to rush this moment. There was a certain tenderness in the air, a quiet understanding that we had crossed a threshold, that our bond had deepened in ways neither of us could have anticipated.

Once we reached the bed, I carefully laid her down, making sure she was comfortable. Her eyes were heavy, her breathing slow and even, but there was a small, contented smile on her lips. I pulled the covers up over her, tucking her in, making sure she was warm and secure.

But as I started to pull away, her hand shot out, grabbing mine. Her grip was surprisingly strong, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that took my breath away.

"Stay," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but filled with emotion. "Please... stay with me."

I didn’t hesitate. I slipped under the covers beside her, pulling her close, letting her rest her head against my chest. She sighed softly, her body relaxing completely as she nestled against me, her warmth seeping into my skin.

"I’m here, Leila," I whispered, my voice filled with love. "I’m not going anywhere."

She didn’t say anything, but the way she held onto me, the way she clung to me as if I was her lifeline, said more than words ever could. We lay there in the quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of the sheets and our slow, even breathing.

As I held her, I felt a sense of calm wash over me, a peace I hadn’t known in a long time. The chaos of the day, the confusion and fear, it all seemed to melt away, leaving only this moment, only the two of us.

And in that moment, as I felt her warmth against me, I knew there was nowhere else I’d rather be.

As I held Leila close, her breathing finally steadying, Lucas suddenly linked me, his voice tense. "Drake," he said, "Lily’s delivery went well... but there’s something you need to know about the baby." The weight of his words hung in the air, thick with uncertainty, leaving my heart pounding with a mixture of dread and anticipation.