Fall of the Luna (completed)

His pup

Third person POV

            Kayla couldn’t believe her eyes. She had gone to the hospital that morning to speak with Reena to seek her advice on when she should start her residency. The sight that greeted her as she was heading to Reena’s office caught her completely off-guard. Why was Finn hugging Lynsie after he had just assured her the previous night that they were nothing more than old friends? And what was he doing at the hospital with her? She recognized the boy in the hospital room as Lynsie’s son from the previous night. There were too many questions swirling in her head and she needed to calm down. The forest, it was the only place where she wanted to be in now. Without hesitation, she made a run for it, heading towards the tree who had always been there for her in the most difficult of times.

            So consumed by her thoughts, Kayla was taken by surprise when Finn caught up with her as she had just entered the forest. His embrace made her scream out in shock but he wouldn’t let her go. If anything, her scream only made him hold on tighter to her, fearful that if he were to let go, she’d be gone forever. “Please Baby, please let me explain, please,” he begged her with every fibre of his being. He didn’t know yet how to explain himself but it shattered his heart to see his mate suffering again because of him. Slowly, Kayla’s screams died down and she stopped struggling against his embrace. The screams turned into loud sobs and eventually, tears were just streaming down her face silently. Sensing that his mate had calmed down enough, Finn started to try to explain himself.

            “Before I say anything, I want you to know that I love you, Kayla, and I’d never intentionally hurt you. What you saw in the hospital, it was.. complicated. Lynsie told me today that we have a pup together and she hid it from me for six years because she intended to raise him alone. I had no idea that the last time we fooled around before I left training school would give us Jacob, and I hugged Lynsie because I felt like a lousy father and a terrible man. I was never there for them even though I had to shoulder at least half the responsibility. Lynsie is now here with Jacob because he is sick and needs a bone marrow donor. She figured since I’m the father, I’d be his best chance, especially because Lynsie and her family are all not suitable donors. I know this has nothing to do with you, and it’s a debt from my past. I don’t expect you to be ok with this, with me suddenly having a pup, and I can’t promise you that I’ll have nothing to do with Lynsie and Jacob after he has recovered. I want to be a good father to my pup but at the same time, I can’t lose you. I’m sorry for putting you through this, Kayla, and I won’t blame you for any decision that you’d make, but please don’t leave me.” Finn’s voice broke as he spoke the last words and the fear of losing his mate overwhelmed him.

            Kayla turned to face her mate and gently wiped away the tears streaming down his face. This was the first time that she had seen him so torn and broken, so afraid and helpless. All those years ago, even when Jake had shown up and it looked like she was going to accept Jake as her mate, Finn was devastated but hopeful. This time felt different, it was almost as if he had given up hope that she’d still love him and stay with him. It saddened her that his first pup was from another she-wolf and not from her. It worried her that another woman will be in Finn’s life in some ways but her wolf reminded her to trust Finn. He accepted her and loved her even when she had almost chosen Jake. Ever since she came back, not a day went by where she was not his priority and she knew that everything that they’ve been through together in the past six years and their mate bond won’t just disappear because of a relationship from his past. It was a bitter pill to swallow but she’s a Luna, and a strong one too. Besides, Lynsie did nothing wrong by keeping her pup, it was her body and her choice. Jacob was more than innocent in all of these, and thinking back to her own childhood, Kayla knew that she could never deny another pup of the love that she had craved but was so cruelly ripped from her, the love of one’s own parents.

            Despite the bitter feeling lingering in her heart, Kayla knew that she had made her decision. She was not a selfless person, but she could not be cruel to another she-wolf or a pup. Most importantly, she couldn’t be cruel to her mate by making him choose between her and his pup. Finn felt Kayla leaning voluntarily into his embrace as her arms circled his waist. Her emotions had calmed down but he could still feel a dull sadness through their bond. “I’m not sure how we’d do this but I choose you, Finn, and all that comes along with that. I’m not happy about this but I’ll get used to the idea of a step-son for you. I can’t promise you that I won’t be jealous when Lynsie is around and I don’t know if I can love Jacob, but I’ll try to at least be cordial and..” Before she could finish, Finn’s lips crashed down on hers. The kiss was passionate and demanding, full of urgency and need, as if Finn was trying to convey all of his gratefulness, relief, love and guilt in that kiss.

            Finally, when they were both out of breath, he reluctantly left her lips. Caressing her face lovingly, he looked into her eyes and said in a wobbly voice, “Thank you, Kayla. Thank you for you. I don’t know what else I can say. I don’t know how this would work as well but I promise you that nothing will change my feelings for you.” Before they could continue, Reena interrupted via their pack link to ask them both to return to the hospital. They went to Reena’s office and found Lynsie already waiting there. Kayla forced a smile as Lynsie acknowledged her with a nod. “I extracted some samples for a bone marrow test after we did the blood test for Finn this morning. The result of the bone marrow test is out, do you want to hear it now? And is it alright for Kayla to stay?” Reena asked hesitantly. As her sister-in-law, Reena felt that Kayla had every right to stick her nose in all of Finn’s business. Hell, if this had happened to Leyton and her, she’d have at least kneed him twice in the balls already. But as a professional doctor, only Finn and Lynsie were the parents of Jacob and she had to respect their wishes. To her relief, Lynsie quickly nodded and thanked Kayla, for what, everyone knew but no one said anything.

            “Alright then, the good news is that it’s a match and whenever you’re ready, Finn, we can prepare for the operation. The bad news is that we need to do it soon. I’m afraid Jacob can’t wait too much longer.” Reena said in a grave tone. Panic filled Lynsie’s face and Kayla must have sensed her helplessness in the situation. She nudged Finn and nodded, giving him the assurance to agree to prepare for the operation as soon as possible. “I’ll also start my residency tomorrow, Reena. I want to be able to help in any way possible,” Kayla said. Reena opened her mouth to say something but decided it was for the best. Keeping busy was also a good way to get over heartaches, especially those where you couldn’t do anything about it. “Thank you, Dr. Forster, thank you so much! And thank you, Finn and Luna Kayla.” Lynsie choked on her words as she felt finally there was hope for her pup.

            Finn had to spend the rest of the day at the hospital to complete some necessary check-ups before the operation and if everything went well, the operation would take place the following day. Kayla decided to go back to the pack house as some of their guests from the party were still around and she did not want to leave the burden of sending them off all to her brother. Before she could enter the pack house, she was hit by a warm embrace. “You ok, little Kay? I can handle this, if you need some time,” Leyton said gently to his sister. “No, I’m fine, I just.. I need to digest this news, and don’t hit Finn. Reena told me that you nearly did that this morning.” Kayla’s lips curled into a smile even as she chided her brother, grateful for his protectiveness and for always looking out for her. Leyton winked mischievously as they entered the pack house to send off the guests who had stayed overnight.

            Spotting Kayla in the room, Thiago’s face lit up immediately and he strolled over to bid her goodbye. “Walk with me to the foyer, would you?” he asked. Kayla nodded and they headed out together, their silhouettes so familiar that Leyton swore he had seen this scene before. As they were walking out, Thiago broke the silence and asked, “Are you happy, Kayla? Being Luna of this pack and a doctor at a small pack hospital? Not to mention a mate who has a son from a previous relationship?” Kayla gasped and her eyes widened in shock that Thiago knew about Jacob. “Sorry, I didn’t want to mention it but Leyton told me about what happened in the morning when I asked for you. I hope you don’t mind me prying but I care for you, Kayla. More than just as your teacher.” Thiago reached for one of Kayla’s hands and continued, “you’re too talented to be cooped up here and I don’t want you to come to regret this one day. You could do so much more and become a world-renowned doctor. Are you ready to give all of that up?”

            Confusion swirled in Kayla’s eyes as she realized that Thiago was right about one thing, she had her own dreams beyond the pack. When she was in medical school, she’d sometimes talk about going to less developed places with her classmates and Thiago to be a volunteer doctor. The world was so big and she was curious. At the same time, she wanted to help. Wasn’t that why she dreamed of becoming a doctor? She was not sure what her answer was but she was sure that she didn’t reciprocate Thiago’s feelings and she didn’t want to lead him on. Quickly, she snapped out of her own thoughts and smiled at Thiago. “Thank you for always thinking ahead for me, Thiago, and for showing me how big this world is. I’m not sure what the future holds but my place is here, beside my mate and my pack.” Thiago couldn’t hide the tinge of disappointment in his eyes as he nodded and gently kissed Kayla on the cheek before getting into his car.

~Two months later~

            Jacob’s operation was a huge success and everyone was relieved that the pup was finally going to be able to live a normal life. During these two months, Finn visited Jacob nearly every day and many times, Kayla would accompany him on these visits. Jacob had gotten used to having a father and a step-mom, especially because his mother had to return to their pack for some urgent business for a week. During this week, it was Kayla who had taken care of him, taking him outside to get some sun and reading him bedtime stories. He knew that Kayla was also a doctor and she was busy, but she’d always make time for him. That dispelled some of the fears that he had had before coming to the Gold Moon Pack. He remembered that his mom had told him to be on his best behavior as his father’s mate might not like him.