The Lost Werewolf's Mate

Flashback.

Once his parents left, Gabriel led the she-wolf down the hallway to one of the guest bedrooms. His heart raced as he stood in the doorway, watching Lila take in her surroundings. He couldn’t deny his pull towards her, the electric tension between them. “This is where you’ll be staying for now, if that’s OK with you, unless...” He trailed off, suddenly hesitant to offer his bedroom to her.

Lila picked up on his hesitation, and that made her curious. “Unless?” she prompted softly, her eyes locked on his. She wanted him to ask her, yet she didn’t know how she would answer his invitation.

Gabriel swallowed hard, feeling a rush of heat coursing through his veins. “Nothing, I just got lost in my thoughts,” he stammered. “If you need anything, just call out for me. I’ll be in the bedroom across the hall.”

Lila nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. She couldn’t help but feel excited at the thought of being so close to him. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Gabriel made a bold move. He peeled off his t-shirt, revealing his sculpted form and an intricate tribal tattoo on his right pectoral. “Here,” he said, holding out the shirt towards her. “It’s said that mates who find each other have difficulty sleeping apart. I don’t want to impose anything you’re not ready for. Maybe my scent on this t-shirt will help you.”

Lila’s jaw dropped as her eyes roamed over his chiselled physique. He was like a god in human form, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away. Gabriel chuckled, a hint of lust glinting in his eyes. “My eyes are up here, pretty one,” he teased, his voice low and husky. He couldn’t deny the thrill of Lila checking him out.

Lila blushed, taking the t-shirt and hijacking herself into the bedroom, embarrassed about how she reacted to Gabriel taking off his t-shirt. But Moon Goddess, those abs… She changed out of her clothes and into Gabriel’s t-shirt. It smelled like him, and it was indeed comforting.

As she drifted off to sleep, she couldn’t help but wonder what her life would be like now. She had never imagined herself being taken care of by anyone, let alone finding a mate so handsome and caring. Gabriel made her feel safe, and she knew deep down that she could trust him.

He finally found HIS mate, his Luna. On that thought, he tried to sleep, knowing too well that sleep would elude him with his mate across the hall. The night’s event replayed in his mind.

He awoke abruptly, hearing a woman screaming, “No, no, please don’t kill me.” He quickly realized Lila was the one screaming. He rushed to her bedroom and entered. She was having a nightmare. She was all sweaty and breathing loudly.

Gabriel sat on Lila’s bed beside her, whispering, “You can wake up, pretty one. I’m here”. He was rubbing her arm to comfort her.

Zeus was going crazy angry at the thought of someone harming his mate.

Slowly, Lila woke up. When she saw Gabriel, she lunged towards him, embracing and nestling in his chest. She was still sobbing.

He took in her smell, trying to calm himself and Zeus. Letting Lila feel her emotions. After a while, she looked up at him… and whispered, “I remember…”

Gabriel held on to Lila. He was letting her calm down. He sat her on his lap and cuddled her. He said calmly, “Walk me through what you remember. Take your time. There’s no rush”.

Lila looked up at him and stated, “Tomorrow,” then she paused. “For now, please, just hold me and let’s sleep.”

He placed Lila in her bed and lay beside her. Content to be her protector and to help her get some much-deserved sleep.

************

Lila woke up. She was next to Gabriel. Well, almost on top of him. She had practically crawled over him during the time they slept. She didn’t quite know what to do. The warmth of his body felt so nice. She felt tingles all over. She breathed in his scent. It was intoxicating. She never thought Patchouli would smell so good, but it did.

He lifted his head and gave her a knowing grin when he felt her move. He revelled in her beauty, and she smelt so divine. The waiting for his mate and Luna was well worth it. She was everything he could have imagined and so much more. His mate… finally…

“Good morning, pretty one,” he said. He gave her a small kiss on her head. “How are you feeling?”

She wanted to hide. The shame she felt when she woke up almost on him was unbearable. She repositioned herself to be next to him on her forearms. This allowed her to look up at him. “Thank you for staying with me,” she started shyly. “I don’t think I could have slept without the warmth of your body and soothing scent.”

He also repositioned himself on his side. He kissed the top of her head again. His feelings were multiplying. He felt consumed. He wanted to take care of her. He wanted her safe.

“Do you want to grab a bite to eat, and then, maybe… if you’re up for it, you can tell me what you remember?” He asked her tentatively.

Her stomach grumbled, answering the question. Gabriel got up. He was only wearing sports shorts. Moon Goddess, he was a sight to behold. He caught her eyeing him and snickered. He mentioned nothing, not wanting to embarrass her. But how he loved how she reacted to him.

Gabriel prepared them a light snack. It was mid-day, after all, some toast and scrambled eggs with coffee and orange juice. They sat at the dining table to eat and chat.

Lila was absently stirring her coffee as she stared out the window.

Gabriel sat across from her, sipping his coffee and watching her closely.

Lila sighed and set her spoon down, shaking her head. “I don’t know where to start,” she breathed. “I’m still trying to process everything that I remembered.”

Gabriel nodded understandingly. He knew better than to push or scare her, but he also knew she needed to confront her memories to move forward. “Take your time,” he said. “I’m here to support you in whatever way you need.”

Lila took in a deep breath. “My heart was pounding as I ran through the dark forest. The trees loomed overhead, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. The only sound was the thumping of my footsteps and my heart pounding. I knew I needed to find my mother, and I needed to find her fast.

Suddenly, I heard a low growl coming from behind me. I turned around and saw a pair of glowing eyes in the darkness. The eyes belonged to a wolf, and it was not alone. I could hear multiple wolves approaching me, their feet thudding against the ground.

My heart raced faster as I ran again, hoping to outrun the wolves. But they were faster than I was, and soon they were right behind me.

I could feel their hot breath on my heels, and I knew I was running out of time. I turned my head to look behind me, and I could see the wolves closing in.

I heard a familiar voice calling my name as I was about to give up hope. “Lila! Lila, where are you?” Relief flooded through me as I recognized my mother’s voice and saw her running towards me. She wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace.”

Lila shuddered. Gabriel picked her up and sat her on his lap. He and Zeus were fuming, hunting a mother and daughter who would do such a thing.

“Our hope of surviving was short-lived as the wolves gained on us. My mother quickly scooped me up and tried to run in the opposite direction, hoping to escape from the wolves. But they were already circling us.

My mother knew she had to fight, even if it meant risking her own life.”

Lila leaned into Gabriel. He hugged her even tighter. “You can stop. You don’t have to torture yourself, pretty one.” He looked at her with worried eyes. He took her hands in his own.

“Gabriel, I need you to know me.” She whispered, then continued.

“The wolves attacked, but my mother fought back with all her might. She punched and kicked, using every ounce of strength she had. I watched in awe as my mother fought bravely, but I knew we were outnumbered and outmatched.

Eventually, my mother was overpowered and defeated. One wolf shifted back to his human form. He picked me up bridal style to bring me to the pack. He left my mother lying on the ground to die.

The werewolves walked for a while until we reached a village.

I remember being carried by a man. He knocked on the door, and a kind-looking older lady answered, whom he called “Ms. Vicky.”

He explained to her how he found me alone, wandering in the woods. He wanted her to take care of me. When she asked me my name, I lied. I was just 15, but I knew I was better off if they didn’t know my true identity. I told her my name was Valerie.

As Ms. Vicky tended to me, I couldn’t help but wonder about the man who brought me here. I knew he was not to be trusted, and I could sense that there was more to this story than met the eye.

But for now, I focused on staying safe and finding my way back to my mother, father, and step-brother.”

Lila took a long breath. Gabriel prompted her to sit on his lap. She hugged Gabriel and nestled her nose in the crook of his neck. One day, she was sure, he would bear her mark, and she would bear his. That thought gave her strength she didn’t know she had.

Gabriel softly rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head.

“Gabriel, I remember. I remember probably everything, or almost but I can’t remember my mom’s face. That is blurry,” she said, out of breath, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Don’t worry, pretty one, you are safe. You are mine. I will always be there for you. We’ll figure it out together.” Zeus was raging, but he couldn’t let her know. They both agreed they would do anything to keep their mate safe. They would find out who did this to her and make them pay with their lives.