章節 25: Miscarriage? II

Drake's POV:

After finishing my pack business for the day, I went in search of my little mate. It wasn't surprising to find her at the orphanage—she seemed to find joy there, and I loved seeing her surrounded by the laughter of children. When I walked in, I found her spinning a little girl around, her soft giggles filling the room. The little one kept saying, "Again, again!" until both of them were dizzy and breathless with laughter. My mate finally set her down, and the girl dashed off to her friends, proudly boasting about how Luna had spun her around like a rollercoaster.

Hearing the children refer to Leila as Luna, even though I hadn't officially marked her yet, warmed my heart. She had earned their love and respect all on her own, without needing the title or the formal ceremony to cement her place in the pack. It filled me with pride to know that my mate had been accepted by the pack not just because of me, but because of who she was. Still, rumors had already started circulating—questions about why I hadn't marked her yet. I hated those whispers, but I wanted our moment to be special.

As I watched her smile and interact with the kids, my heart swelled with warmth. She was radiant, and I couldn't help but wish that it was she who was carrying my child and not Lily. The thought lingered as my eyes roamed over her, and the lust I always felt when I saw her started to surge within me. She caught my gaze, and I knew she could feel the intensity of my need.

She walked toward me, her smile warm and inviting, and without a word, I took her hand and led her to a more private area, needing to devour her.

Once we were alone, the urgency between us was tangible. Without a moment's hesitation, I pressed her back against the door, my lips crashing against hers with a raw hunger that had been building ever since I first laid eyes on her. Her sweetness intoxicated me, and the way she kissed me back with equal passion only heightened my desire.

I let my lips trail down her delicate jawline, savoring every soft sigh and breath she released. My mouth found her ear, my voice a low, husky whisper as I said, "I'd love to make love to you right here, right now." The moment I nipped at her earlobe, she moaned my name so softly, it sent a jolt of electric desire through me. I could feel my control slipping as my wolf roared within me, desperate to claim what was rightfully his.

With a swift, fluid motion, I lifted her effortlessly, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist. Her body pressed against mine, and I deepened the kiss, letting my hands roam over her curves, mapping out every inch of her warmth. I ached to make her mine completely, every part of me craving to join with her in the most intimate way possible. The intensity of our connection was overwhelming, and my senses were flooded with the heat and passion we shared.

Her body fit perfectly against mine, and every touch, every kiss seemed to stoke the fire within me. I could feel her heartbeat racing against my chest, syncing with my own frantic pulse. I wanted to lose myself in her, to make her feel every ounce of love and desire I had for her. Just as I was about to surrender completely to the moment, I was interrupted by Lucas linking me.

"Lily's in the hospital. You need to come now," his voice echoed through my mind.

I cursed under my breath at the untimely interruption, pulling away from Leila with reluctance. I set her back down gently, breathing heavily. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I have to go—something urgent has come up."

She nodded, still flushed and a bit dazed from our heated moment. I rested my forehead against hers, taking a moment to try and calm myself. My hormones were still raging, but I had to get my head back in the game. I kissed her forehead softly, promising, "we'll finish what we started later."

With one last lingering glance, I reluctantly left the room, my mind already shifting back to what Lucas had told me. I hated that I had to walk away from Leila, especially now. But I need to make sure lily and my child were okay.

As I made my way to the hospital, part of me was still thinking about Leila, her taste, her scent—everything about her that made me crave her. But I forced those thoughts down. Right now, I needed to focus on what was happening with Lily and my baby.

When I arrived at the hospital, the atmosphere was tense and heavy. Nelly was sobbing uncontrollably, and Lucas was beside her, doing his best to offer comfort. From the way Nelly was reacting, I knew immediately that something was terribly wrong. My heart began to race as I made my way over to them, fear gripping me tightly.

"What happened?" I asked urgently, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. Lucas looked up at me, his expression a mix of concern and exhaustion.

"Lily fell down the stairs," he said, his voice strained. "We rushed her here, but she was bleeding heavily, and we don't know if she or the baby are okay. We're waiting for the doctors to finish their examination."

The weight of his words hit me like a physical blow. My heart seemed to drop into my stomach as a wave of guilt and dread washed over me. The image of Lily falling, the thought of her bleeding, it all consumed me. I couldn't shake the blame I felt for not being there, for not ensuring she was safe. I had been so wrapped up in my own thoughts, so preoccupied with the pack, that I hadn't been there when she needed me.

As I stood there, my mind replaying every mistake and missed opportunity, I didn't notice Leila approaching until she was right beside me. Her presence was like a lifeline, and before I could even think, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a comforting embrace.

The warmth of her body against mine, her soothing scent—it was exactly what I needed in that moment. I could feel her heart beating against my chest, a steady reminder that I wasn't alone. Her hug was firm and reassuring, grounding me in the midst of my swirling emotions.

"It's going to be okay," she whispered softly, her voice a calming balm to my frazzled nerves. "You did everything you could. We'll get through this."

I clung to her, my hands gripping her shoulders tightly as if she were the only thing keeping me anchored. Her words were a small comfort, but the fear and guilt still gnawed at me. I blamed myself for not being there for Lily, for not making sure she was safe. I couldn't stop thinking about the baby, our baby, and whether they were alright.

"Why wasn't I there?" I murmured, more to myself than to her. "I should have been with her. I should have been there to protect her."

Leila pulled back slightly, enough to look into my eyes. Her gaze was filled with a mixture of compassion and determination. "Drake, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known this would happen. What's important now is that we're here for her and for the baby."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Her words, though comforting, were not enough to completely erase the guilt I felt. I still blamed myself for not being present, for letting things spiral out of control.

Lucas, still standing nearby, gave me a sympathetic look. "The doctors are working as fast as they can. We just need to wait and see."

I nodded, trying to focus on the facts rather than letting my emotions overwhelm me. Leila's presence was a calming effect, and I could feel the tension in my shoulders easing slightly as she continued to hold me, her touch gentle but firm.

The minutes felt like hours as we waited, the silence in the waiting room punctuated only by Nelly's occasional sobs and Lucas's murmured reassurances. I could see the strain on everyone's faces, and it only deepened my sense of guilt. I wanted to be strong for Leila, for Lily, for the baby—but it was hard to keep my composure when everything felt so out of control.

Leila stayed by my side, her hand resting reassuringly on my back. Her presence was a constant reminder of what I had to hold onto, and her support was invaluable. I could see in her eyes that she was just as concerned as I was, but she was trying to stay strong for both of us.

As the hours ticked by, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and fears. I was grateful for Leila's comforting embrace, for the strength she offered me when I felt I was faltering. The hospital's sterile environment felt cold and unforgiving, but her warmth and steadfastness were a beacon of hope.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a doctor emerged from the examination room. The look on his face was neutral, but it did little to quell the anxiety coursing through me. I took a deep breath, holding onto Leila's hand tightly, ready to face whatever news awaited us.