Chapter 13

Slowly, I took careful steps towards her bed.

She was still fast asleep, maybe knocked out from anaesthesia, but she still managed to look peaceful.
I glanced at Luka who was already by her side holding her hand against his lips with gratitude with a
mixture of uncertainty in his eyes.

He looked less tense than before, but I had a feeling that his fear wouldn't subside until he saw her
eyes open again.

I stopped a few inches away from the bed and Levi snuggled himself beside her without putting too
much pressure on her. Her chest rose and fell slowly, indicating evidence of life in her body. It was
enough to calm my nerves.

Sighing, I sat beside her across from where Luka was sitting. I swept a strand of hair from her face and
really took in her appearance.

She had a busted lip and stitches on her left eyebrow, but her face didn't look much different thankfully.
She did, however, look fragile under those casts. Maybe it was just my mind, but I didn't like it.

But I had to resist the urge to go weak on her. She was always strong for me, and I felt like I shed way
too many tears for one night. So, I held her free hand and closed my eyes, silently whispering a prayer
for her health.

It felt like hours since we were there in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, since I could still feel the bond
to this pack, so I felt the strong sense of comfort we were stringing to each other. But I couldn't ignore
the fact that I was getting tired. The constant beep of the machine was beginning to sound like a
lullaby.



My eyes flickered open and searched for a clock. I saw that it was almost midnight, so I decided to call
it a night. Levi was silently sleeping beside his mom with his head gently resting on her abdomen and
his arm draped over her frame, but even in his sleep he seemed to be keeping most of his weight off
her.

Luka was still in his chair with his fingers intertwined in hers and his head leaning back against the
chair head. I quietly kissed Levi and Victoria's head then did the same with Luka. His eyes flickered
open at contact, and he offered me a small smile before straightening up with a groan.

"You're leaving? " He asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Yea I'll be back tomorrow. Call me if anything changes? "

"I will. Want me to walk you out? " He asked as he stood up. I simply shook my head.

"No need. Niall is right out there" I told him as I glanced at the room exit.

He gave me a confused look, since I knew he couldn't smell him. Alpha or not, these rooms were
designed to trap or block out any scents. Emergency rooms plus wolves with heightened senses
seemed like an equation for a lot of puke and tears in the hallways if you asked me, so I understood
completely.

"I can feel him, and believe it or not, I can smell him too" I said, causing his eyes to open a little wider.
"I blame it on the hea-" I stopped immediately when I realized I was about to tell Luka about my heat.

I was more than comfortable with Luka. He was my big brother/father figure growing up with Victoria.
But my extremely horny state in a day was not something I wanted him to know. Of course, he would've
noticed later when Victoria is awake and his mind wasn't this clouded, but it was better that way.



Realization lit up his face as his eyes darted to my neck and lingered for a while. I saw a look flash
across his eyes, something I recognized completely from experience growing up. When Levi and I
would reach a stage in puberty while growing up, he would always have that stupid look on his face--
like we were growing up too fast. But I guess it's a dad thing.

"I almost forgot you're a mated wolf now." He whispered as he pulled me in a hug. "I'm so proud of you"

"Thanks Luka. I couldn't have been here without you" I sniffled, feeling suddenly emotional. Stupid
heat.

"It was my pleasure. Watching you and Levi grow has been the light of my life. And to think, in one day
you'll be fully mat-"

"Ew Luka don't talk about it! " I gagged, causing him to chuckle lightly but shook his head nonetheless.

"I don't understand why you're having signs this early though. I noticed your scent was different, but I
wasn't focused so I just assumed that it was the fact that you were marked. I didn't stop to think that it
was a heat scent. " He regarded me confusedly and I wished I had the answer for him. But it seemed
that just like Roxy, he hadn't seen something like this before.

"I don't know Luka. It scares me. "

"Hey don't worry about it," he assured me with a gentle smile. "You're strong. I raised you to be strong"
He smirked as if he had just won something.

"Teaching me how to fight and teaching me how to be strong are two different things" I rolled my eyes
but couldn't help the smile on my face.

"I know....She's the one who taught you to be strong. Just like her" I followed his eyes towards Victoria,
both our hearts swelling in pride for her I'm sure.



Best sister ever.

"She is, isn't she? I know she's gonna be alright. She wouldn't be Victoria if she isn't. " We stood in
silence for a while until I remembered that my mate was on the other side of the door.

"I'll see you later okay? " I bid my farewell to Luka and kissed Victoria one last time before heading to
the exit.

Niall was fast asleep on one of the chairs when I opened the door. I was torn between gushing at how
sweet he looked and scolding myself for leaving him here all alone.

I was too lucky to land a mate like him. They say mates were specifically chosen for each other, and
I'm starting to believe it more than before.

"Niall? " I whispered gently as I shook him awake. His eyes darted open and searched around before
landing on my face.

His expression immediately softened as he took my face in his hands, standing up. "You okay? " He
asked once he was just a few centimeters away from my face.

"I'm fine. Just tired" I yawned, finally embracing the sleep that swept over me. I felt his lips pressing
against my forehead before my feet left the ground. I snuggled into his chest as he carried me bridal
style through the hallway.

Being shown that beautiful meadow in his pack, ALMOST completing the mating process with Niall,
shifting and running across his pack, and coming here on a four hour drive in one day was surely
enough to drain me completely. What a day this has been, yet I felt like my fatigue was just getting
started.

My heat was still at hand.




62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda