Overnight
1177 Words
Lara POV
It was a rough night — the kind that makes your bones feel heavy and your eyes burn. But Lucky was… well, lucky.
He made it through.
By sunrise he was actually holding food down, and his little aura, once flickering painfully, now pulsed stronger, steadier. I almost cried from relief.
“Good boy,” I whispered, stroking the tiny head through the incubator. “Keep going, okay? I’m doing my best to keep you. Just get better so we can figure out the rest.”
I already knew I wasn’t allowed pets where I lived. But that didn’t stop the thought:
If I can find a better place… if I can somehow afford it… maybe he can come home with me.
Saturday.
No classes.
Thank the stars.
My body screamed for sleep.
Lucas POV
I tried. I really tried to stay outside like a sane, controlled, fully grown Alpha King.
That… lasted three minutes.
I slipped inside through the back entrance, silent as a shadow, staying far enough that she couldn’t notice my presence — but close enough that I could protect her. My senses were sharp; I could hear every shift of her breath.
She stayed awake for hours, whispering to the pup, comforting him, encouraging him. She didn’t leave his side until exhaustion forced her down. When she fell asleep, curled on the hard floor, my entire chest tightened.
She named him Lucky.
Of course she did.
“She’ll make a good Luna,” Lex murmured proudly.
Our Luna.
Anyone who loved this fiercely… would love her people the same way.
And yes, she wants to keep the pup?
Fine.
He’s coming home with us.
I should have been working. I had meetings. Pack matters. Alpha matters. King matters.
But I couldn’t leave until Dr V returned. My instincts refused.
She is my world now.
The sun, the moon, the oxygen in the air.
That fast.
That absolute.
I need to speak to my siblings.
Jacqui will help me.
Eric will protect her — he’s my Beta, so he belongs to her just as much now.
And Liam…
I rubbed my temples.
Liam will need to keep his damn hands to himself.
If he so much as looks at her sideways, I might tear him apart. Mate or not, I’ll end him if he threatens her in any way.
A car approached. Dr V.
I left immediately — no need to create more questions.
“Dr V,” I greeted him before he even stepped out.
“My King,” he bowed, startled I hadn’t left.
“I have to go home. Keep her safe. And keep this secret. No one must know she’s my mate yet.”
I didn’t wait for a reply.
If I turned around, I wouldn’t be able to walk away.
Dr V POV
Lucas is a good man.
Hard. Scarred. Lonely.
But good.
The Moon Goddess has finally given him his mate. And she… well, she’s sunshine he doesn’t realize he needs yet.
I hope he’s prepared. Lara is stubborn. Guarded. Independent to a fault. But she’s exactly what his soul requires.
The moon does not make mistakes.
I unlocked the clinic door and stepped inside.
“Morning, Lara. How did it go?”
She was stretching, stiff from sleeping on the hard floor, her makeshift pillow a folded blanket. Her hair was a mess, her clothes wrinkled from yesterday.
She still smiled at the puppy before she smiled at me.
“Thank you for staying,” I told her, meaning every word. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I’m okay,” she yawned. “Just tired. I’ll come back later to check on him.”
She grabbed her things and vanished through the door before I could try to make her rest.
Stubborn girl.
Lara POV
I need sleep.
Two hours. Just two hours, then homework, then errands, then life continues.
But as I drove home…
that feeling started.
The one that slithered down your spine.
That prickled at your neck.
The feeling of eyes on you.
Ridiculous. I was just exhausted.
Probably hallucinating.
I hurried inside, locked the door behind me, and collapsed on my bed fully clothed. I didn’t even care. The club outfit wasn’t exactly glamorous — jeans and a neat black top — nothing fancy.
Sleep hit me like a truck.
Few hours later…
I walked into the grocery store, rubbing my eyes. My list was short — too short — but my wallet had even less in it.
I started counting coins quietly.
“Okay… if I get the cheap pasta… and no coffee this week… and maybe just one pack of chicken…”
I hated living like this.
But just a few more months.
Just until I can save up.
Just until I can maybe move somewhere better.
That feeling crept up again — like someone watching.
But when I turned around, no one was there.
Lucas POV
I can’t focus.
I can’t breathe right.
Every instinct screams for her.
It’s been hours but it feels like days. I need to see her. I need to know she’s safe. I need to talk to her, touch her, hear her voice, see her eyes—
I mind-linked Eric.
“Eric.”
“Everything okay?” he asked immediately. Loyal. Solid. My Beta.
“Where is she?”
“She’s at the shops,” he said.
My wolf perked up instantly.
Eric hesitated.
I felt my temper spike.
“What is it, Eric?”
Silence.
“Eric,” my voice dropped, Alpha deep, “spit it out.”
“Well… she doesn’t… have a lot of money,” he said awkwardly. “She’s counting every cent. Even talking to herself quietly while she buys food.”
I stopped breathing.
My wolf slammed against my chest so hard I saw stars.
She is struggling.
My mate.
Struggling for food.
“Lucas,” Eric rushed out, “this is why I didn’t want to tell you. We can’t go buy her groceries or hand her money. She’d take it badly. She’s independent. She’ll think we’re weird. Or insulting.”
I growled so loudly the windows rattled.
I slammed my fist into the wall — bone cracked, blood splattered, but the pain was nothing compared to the fury boiling in my veins.
My mate should never have to count coins.
Never have to worry.
Never go hungry.
I leaned my forehead against the wall, trying to breathe.
Then an idea hit.
A good one.
A brilliant one.
“She works for Dr V,” I said slowly.
“Yes?”
“Tell him to give her a bonus. And a raise. Effective immediately.”
Eric exhaled in relief.
Smart.
Logical.
Not suspicious.
And it would help her without overwhelming her.
“I need to talk to her today,” I said, dropping the link. “I can’t wait anymore.”
Now I just needed to figure out how to approach her…
without scaring her away.
My wolf purred.
Soon.
- Writer
