Queen, Alpha, Mate

Chapter 18

DIANA POV

As I wait for Katie, my mind wanders off. I shook off the bad memories and they've made some room for the good ones. I feel myself travel to a kinder place, a more loving place. My mother's arms to be exact. I remember how I'd lie in bed, scared of the dark. I'd cry and there she'd be, in her long, white nightgown. Her beautiful red curls would fall messily on her shoulders. We'd snuggle and she'd stroke her fingers through my hair. She always sang a song to me for as long as it took me to fall asleep. I don't remember much of it, but one little verse always stuck with me.

Even if I'm far away

It comforts me to say

I'm right here with you

Nothing I won't do

I'll keep you in my heart

My little baby, kind and smart

Listen to my loving tune

Even when I'm gone, we'll see the same moon

Kysandra howls softly in the back of my mind and I feel a tear run down my cheek when I'm jolted awake by the door opening and Katie walks in.

"Hey hun, you okay?" She asks.

"Yeah, I'm feeling lots better. For a bit there I thought I'd end up seeing my mother again." I say and I can hear the sadness shine through in my voice.

"Have you been thinking about her a lot, you know, since the attack?"

"Yes, it's been a bit painful. The attack was scary, I don't think I've ever felt that vulnerable because of some men. I don't want to feel that ever again." I can barely stand waiting to talk to the remaining kidnapper. I just need to know why they wanted me. Was it because of Kysandra? Probably... I'll have to watch my back even more I suppose.

Katie looks at me silently. She gets me. Silence is best right now. She gets in bed next to me and cuddles me close. She strokes my hair gently and hums a melody. My best friend, she gets me so well. I hum along with her for a while.

I look up at her. "Thank you, for fighting for me. You're a true friend."

Katie places a kiss on my forehead. "I'm still curious how they knew we were on the road." She ponders.

"Well, it wasn't hard to guess. My dad announced it basically to the whole pack. That being said, this means that there's a traitor in Ruby Red. We have to find out who it is. Has my father been informed yet?" I reply.

"Of course. The investigation is in full swing back at Ruby Red pack. Please focus on recovering first, the investigation comes afterwards. The perp is being interrogated as we speak and has been relentlessly interrogated for the past three days. He hasn't slept yet and we think he might break soon."

"Ugh, this whole waiting game is torture. I want to know why they tried to take me? Was it political? Was it because of my wolf? Was it random? It's all so frustrating. I wish I could go hunting to blow off some steam, but I can still barely stand." To give my words strength, I wildly flail my legs around, or at least try. It hurts like a b***h, but it makes Katie and I laugh.

"Guess I'll be pushing you around in a wheelchair for a bit, eh?" Katie teases.

"Nah, Kysandra will heal us as soon as that last bit of wolfsbane has left my system." As soon as the full moon rises, I think to myself.

"How much longer until the full moon?" I ask. "Sorry, my mind is a little scrambled."

"No worries, babes. I think it should be in seven days. Are you excited?" Katie assumes her gossip position and teasingly looks at me.

"To meet my wolf? To be officially mated to Joshua? To become Luna? Is the grass green? Hell yeah, I'm excited! I'm just so curious about what she looks like, what it'll feel like." I'm pretty hyped up.

"I can guarantee you that the first time will hurt like you wouldn't even believe. Your bones and muscle structure completely rearrange and reorganize. Be ready for that, it's important." Katie warns. I guess that's something to look forward to a little bit less. Still though, I'll finally have an actual wolf. I'll be able to run with the pack, to fly through the forest with strong, powerful strides.

My mind goes back to the attack. Katie was so brave. "Katie, were you hurt during the attack?"

"Don't worry about me, I'm not that fragile. I can take a few hits." She winks at me. "I was far more scared for you, I've never seen you like that. I should have stayed with you when you were taken from the car. I'm so sorry." Her mood suddenly turns serious.

I wrap my arm around her. "Hey, don't feel guilty. You got me back, didn't you? You protected me, all of you did!"

The feeling in my legs is finally properly returning and it seems the wolfsbane is almost completely gone.

"I want to try to get up. Can you help me, Katie?" Katie gets out of the bed and helps me get up. I can finally stand pretty well and my body hurts far less. Bless that quick wolf healing. At my thoughts, Kysandra takes a little bow in my head. I walk around a little bit and I notice it gets easier with every step. I try stretching and as I do, all my bones crackle, which feels absolutely delightful. My muscles are sore from not moving. I jump up and down a bit, punch the air and find I can move quite well.

"Let's go for a run around the grounds. Can you get me some leggings and a sports bra? Wouldn't want the girls to go flopping around and breaking my back after all that's already happened." I say. I think I'm up for a run, in fact I think I'd love it. Katie smirks and walks out of the room to fetch some gear. I do a little dance around the room, glad that my body is finally able to move again. As I dance I sing one of my favourite songs, Once Upon a December from the Anastasia movie. It's so pretty and so nice and flowy to dance to. I get so sucked into the song and dance that I don't notice Katie standing in the door with my sports gear until she clears her throat and tosses it to me. I get dressed quickly and we walk downstairs. The packhouse is very big and rustic. I like its simplicity. What I like even more is the sight at the bottom of the stairs.

JOSHUA POV

I'm having a chat with my family at the bottom of the stairs when I see Diana darting down the stairs. Her body seems fine and it looks like the wolfsbane wore off completely. It's a miracle she even survived the dose she was given. It's downright impossible for her to be strutting around like this three days later. I don't have much more time to think and observe as I see her barreling towards me before she launched herself into my arms cannonball style. My parents shoot us an amused look.

"Princess" my father says "I'm glad to see you back on your feet." He comes to shake Diana's hand. "I'm alpha Derrick Luciferos and this is my mate, Ella." My mother goes to give her a hug. "Welcome to Crescent moon pack, princess. We're so happy to have you here safely and so grateful the moon goddess chose you for our Joshua."

My mate opens her beautiful pink lips and says that she's about to go for a run around the packhouse, to stretch her legs and have a look around.

"Let's all take a run together, I'm sure a tour of the packlands would be nice." I propose. "Give us a minute to get dressed."

I walk off with my parents to grab some running shoes and change my clothes. When I come back my beautiful mate is waiting patiently for us. When we're all there, we run out the front door and onto the packlands. We run past the village, the training grounds, some military posts, the school and the hospital she was in earlier. Our pack is located in the middle of a forest. I have a special place I want to take her to, but that'll have to wait until later, when there are less people around. I look around to see her chatting cheerfully with my parents and Katie. We're just on our way back when Alex comes running toward me.

"There's trouble, alpha. Code Oreo." I send my sweet and my family back to the packhouse and motion for Katie to come with me. Code Oreo means a corpse has been found. This doesn't look good.