The Waning Moon Of Pain

Chapter Two:

Ulric and the others returned to the front sitting area after they were told Diana would be fine, she just needed to rest, something just made her go into shock suddenly. Her father didn't want to leave her side, but he needed to figure out what happened in that room, why Alpha Ulric suddenly called her his, when he caught her.

Freya sat in his lap, needing to hold her to help keep his wolf calm. Blake wanted to be next to his other mate, to see her wake up. This second mate bound was strong already and she's only been here an hour. He tries to focus on Freya's scent with Diana's still lingering in air and on him from holding her.

They give Ulric time to collect his thoughts before he starts to speak to talk about what just happened,

"Uncle Max, have you ever heard of someone having two mates?" Ulric asks him, looking him in the eyes.

Max thinks a moment, then softly shakes his head, "No. It's unheard of. Is that what happened? Did you and Diana trigger a mate bond?" He carefully asks what everyone wants to know.

Ulric takes in a breath to calm this deep confusion inside him. He silents his whining wolf in his head to try and think straight.

"It seems so. I don't understand though. I have my mate, right here, sitting in my lap with my pups and wearing her mark as she wears mine. How can I have a second mate? Didn't she have a mate that she lost a year ago? How can an already mated wolf get a second chance mate, that's also very unheard of." He growls frustrated with these split feelings inside him.

Freya gently runs her fingers through his thick jet black hair, kissing his forehead to help ease his struggling emotions that she can feel with them being connected. He smiles, giving her a sweet kiss as a thank you for staying by him.

Jack leans forward sighing, resting his elbows on his knees,

"This is not what she needs. I brought her here to help find her peace, to find purpose to live and be happy again. She doesn't need this, this will crush her. What are you going to do, Alpha Ulric? If you reject my daughter she will not survive. It hasn't been easy for me to get her this far."

Ulric let's out a deep growl through the room, making Jack go silent and stiffen at his side. He is just deeply worried for his daughter, he can't lose her.

"I will not reject her. She is my mate, she is mine." He growls as his wolf pushes through for a moment, enraged he would think Ulric would do such a thing.

He suddenly feels a sharp pain of jealousy go through him, but it wasn't from him, it was from his mate Freya. He sighs, calming down, rubbing her back, looking up at her, seeing her eyes sadden at this news.

"I'm sorry baby. Blake pushed through, but he's right. I can't reject her. There has to be a reason why the moon goddess has given me a second mate and her a second chance mate. Plus it's unfair to her to lose her life. You saw how frail she is right now, rejecting will kill her, I will not be the one to end her life."

Freya sighs, nodding, understanding. Surprisingly her wolf Sue agrees with Blake and Ulric. She can't explain it, but this is something that needs to happen for them both. Sue is worried for her partner's new mate.

"I understand Ulric. I'm sorry, I'm just confused. Sue is also saying that Diana is supposed to be part of our family and is worried for her, but doesn't know why."

Ulric smiles and relaxes again, giving her a heart warming kiss, " Thank you baby. I love you."

"I know, I love you too. I will try my best to help you and her, but give me time to process this okay?"

" Of course, I think I need time to process this as well. I'm sure Diana will need to too." Ulric says and looks over at Jack at his side.

"Do not worry Alpha Jack. We will help your daughter the best we can through this and we will figure out all together why the moon goddess has given us this gift."

" Thank you Alpha Ulric. If it's alright, I wish to see my daughter. Excuse me." Jack says standing.

" Please have someone contact me when she wakes." Ulric calls after him.

He waves his hand letting him know he will, disappearing to the left wing of the mansion. Ulric looks at his lovely mate in his arms and smiles. He stands holding her bridal style in his arms,

"Let's go rest for a bit. I'll rub your feet, you have been walking a lot today." Ulric sweetly says to her carrying her out of the room up to theirs.

Diana wakes five hours later to the soft beeping of the machine she is hooked up too. She feels someone softly holding her hand in theirs. Opening her heavy eyelids, feeling drained more than normal. She looks up at the white ceiling letting her eyes to focus. Her father stands hovering over her, coming into view, his large hand resting on her cheek.

"Hey princess. How are you feeling?"

She swallows, her throat is really dry.

" W-ater." She softly whispers.

He nods, quickly getting her a glass of water from the pitcher nearby. Helping her sit up, holding the glass to her lips, she slowly drinks down the soothing cool water feeling like she hasn't had water in days. It helped wake her up a bit more, finding some strength to sit up. Her dad hits a button nearby to call the nurse to check on her now that she is awake.

A nurse comes in with the doctor giving Diana a warm smile,

"Hello Diana, I'm Dr. Howard. How are you feeling?" He calmly asks her while gently checking her vitals and her reactions.

"Better I think. What happened?" She asks, clearing her throat with it still slightly dry.

" You fainted princess." Her father tells her gently resting his hand back over hers.

" Everything seems to be okay now, just rest and take your time before getting up. I would like it if you start taking these supplements. It will help give you the natural energy your body is lacking to give you right now." The doctor tells her, handing her a bottle of vitamins.

" Take them twice a day with a full meal and water."

She takes them, nodding, " Thank you doctor."

"You're welcome. Let me know if there is anything else you need. You are free to go when you are ready." He tells them and shakes her father's hand leaving with the nurse close behind him.

Setting the pills beside her, she turns her attention back to her father, "Dad, you said I fainted? The last thing I remember was...that scent, it got stronger and then suddenly Rin… she was whimpering in my head, I swear she said mate. I also remember these beautiful blue eyes…" she says mumbling over her words to try to make sense of this.

Taking his seat next to her bed again, he sighs nodding, gently holding her hand rubbing her boney fingers,

"Yes...I am not sure how to say this, but I'm just going to say it and please stay calm okay? Alpha Ulric returned with his Luna, when he entered the room. You two locked eyes and then you fainted. It turns out Alpha Ulric is your second chance mate."

Her green eyes become wide as saucers, her mouth dropping open. The machine tracking her heart starts to beat faster. Her father quickly stands trying sooth her,

"Easy Princess. Breathe, please stay calm."

She squeezes her eyes shut putting a hand over her overworked heart. Taking slow deep breaths,

"What do you mean Ulric is my second chance mate? He has a mate, Freya. She is his Luna, how can I be his mate as well? Then there is the fact I've already been mated and lost that mate! I can't have a second one!" She screeches.

" I know, we don't understand why either, but please don't get yourself worked up again. We will figure this out together. He wishes to talk with you, will you be okay with that?"

She nibbles on her lower lip when she is nervous and unsure of something. This felt wrong, really wrong. How can she have a second chance mate, no one could ever replace her Darius, no one could ever compare to him. Her heart twists in pain, making her droop back into the bed. She looks up at her father when he tells her Ulric wishes to speak with her.

"Uh...I don't know. This is just...a lot to take in right now." She groans, putting a hand to her head, she has a headache now.

" It will just be for a few minutes. If you are at all uncomfortable, you can tell us and he will go. Just hear him out princess, can you do that for me?"

She sighs, what does she have to lose? She has questions of her own as well and her wolf is silent again, not helping her figure out what she should do like always. She nods softly giving her father a small smile,

"Okay dad, I'll talk with him, just a little while." She says sweetly. She can see a bit of light in those big green grey eyes of his. For her to get a second chance mate like this is the miracle he was hoping for her from the moon goddess.

Her father smiles, gives her head a kiss and leaves the room to ask someone to tell Alpha Ulric she is awake and willing to speak with him. He returns a minute later and sits with her, getting her another glass of water with her still really thirsty.

Alpha Ulric hurried down to the clinic the second he got word of her awake. His Luna is resting now, so he will be seeing her alone. He hasn't felt this excitement in a long time. It's like he's seeing Freya for the first time all over again, but this time is someone else. He can't ignore the mating bond, but he will be patient with Diana. Even if he is just her friend, he will be okay with that, but he will not reject her or leave her.

Reaching the room, he slows his steps, taking a second to calm his nerves. He could smell her sweet strawberry and lavender scent through the door. Going to the door, he gently knocks and walks in. His blue eyes instantly lock with her beautiful emeralds. He freezes in between the door for a second, then calmly walks the rest of the way into the room.

They didn't look away from each other. Her father stands, giving him his seat to sit next to her. He looks between them and smiles a little. Seeing his princess's cheek turn a shade of pink to the heart monitor giving away her racing heart to Ulric sitting closer, but Ulric didn't seem to notice.

They both silently look each other over. Diana has never seen such amazing blue eyes before. She hasn't seen him since her mother's funeral. He was thirteen at the time, she was eight. He has grown so much since then. His jet black hair thick in a wave pushed back, strong sharp jawline with a bit of a five o'clock shadow, which she thought that gave him this sexy rough look. He is bigger than her father, at least six five tall, sculpted muscles for days. He was breathtaking.

Ulric blue eyes softly trailed over her features. She has grown into a beautiful woman. Her lovely raven black hair like silk waves over her shoulders, her skin is pale but looked soft to the touch. He didn't like how thin she is, but it can't be helped until she gets the strength she needs again. He can't see much of the rest of her body being under the covers, but he can tell she has sexy curves just like his lovely Freya.

Snapping out of her trance checking him out, Diana turns red slightly looking down at her hands. What is wrong with her, she shouldn't be looking at him like that. She is Darius's, not his. Her heart aches for even falling into the trap of the mate bond. She felt her wolf stir a little, checking him out with her, but didn't say a word.

Seeing her get slightly flustered looking down at her hands, he rubs his hand fighting the urge to hold hers, wanting to touch her.

"How are you feeling Diana?" He calmly asks, he liked how her name felt on his tongue.

Slight goosebumps form on her arms at the sound of his deep voice, hearing her name pass his lips. She had to suppress a moan, what is happening to her, why does he have this strong of an affect on her already?

"I-im uh doing better Thank you. I'm sorry if I caused you to worry Alpha." She softly says finding her voice again to get control of herself.

Ulric adjusts in his seat slightly at the sweet sound of her angelic voice. He doesn't remember her being this shy. She was such a proud little thing, acting like one of the boys half the time, but still having that big kind caring heart. It breaks him seeing her like this, she has no light in those lovely green eyes any more. He glanced at her previous mate's mark on her neck, it looked like a faded scar now. He can't even imagine the thought of losing his dear mate. Diana is still strong though, that he still sees in her eyes.

"Please call me Ulric, you don't need to call me Alpha. I know this is a bit strange, for the both of us, but I just want you to know I am here for you. To be whatever you need me to be for you Diana. Freya as well." He says wanting to reassure her that she doesn't have to worry about being rejected.

She looks back at him, confusion on that sweet face of hers. He wishes he could see her smile, she had such a beautiful smile when she was younger.

"I can't...ask that of you. I mean...look at me, I would understand if you want to reject me Alpha. I am in no shape to be a Luna or even a mate for another. I don't want to get in between you and Freya…"

He growls, making her jump, gripping her hands, shaking slightly. He then looks at her apologetically not meaning to frighten her, he takes a breath to calm himself.

"No... Diana. I will not do that to you. The moon goddess has given you to me and I will cherish her gift. I will help you find the strength you need to stand again. Just as friends or whatever you wish." He says turning more to her, reaching his hand out, but stops seeing her flinch away from him. That hurts, but he will bear it, he just needs to be patient.

Hugging her arms around her, she keeps from looking at him. She didn't know what to feel right now. If she wanted to be his friend or more or what. All of this feels like a cruel joke. A gift from the goddess? Screw that b***h, she's taken everything from her, why would she keep torturing her like this.

Ulric sighs seeing her not wishing to say any more. He slowly stands gripping his hands, "I'll take my leave now. Let you rest. Take your time, do what you wish here. You both are free to go wherever you want. My pack is your pack. If either of you need anything, just ask, I want you to feel at home here. Like I planned for you in the first place Diana."

Diana glances at him, relaxing a little, she softly nods. " Thank you." She softly says.

He smiles looking at her for a long moment, then forces himself to leave without another word. He hurries to his room to be with Freya, he just needs her to hold him, to calm his raging wolf in his mind for not staying to comfort Diana.

Jack steps to her side, helping her as she moves her legs off the bed,

"Maybe you should rest a bit more princess."

" No, I need some air, please. Take me outside. You know I hate hospitals." She groans, ripping the wires off her, pulling out the iv needle. She lets her father pick her up and carry her out the back on the wide open patio. It was dark out now, she took in a big breath, smelling the sweet air of the trees and flowers nearby.

The sky is clear and bright tonight. Jack carries her over into the personal garden, finding a bench for them to sit and relax. Keeping a warm arm around her to protect her from the cold wind. He smiles looking at her, seeing her relax to the crisp fresh air.

"Will you give him a chance?" " He softly asks her.

She sighs and rests her head on his shoulder, looking out at the beautiful roses in front of them,

"I can't answer that right now dad. The thought of being with someone that is not Darius feels like I am betraying him. I don't know what to think or feel. Rin still won't speak to me, she stays silent, but she is curious about him. I don't want to be a burden to them, they have a happy family already, why is the goddess doing this to me.." she says, her eyes tearing up, hugging her father.

He embraces her, pulling her into his lap, gently rocking her and rubbing her back, "I don't know my princess. I just want you to do what makes you happy. I'm here for you, always."