The Lost Werewolf's Mate

Floodgate of memories

Gabriel clasped Lila tightly to his chest, his arms a comforting haven as she sat on his lap. She couldn’t help but hold on to him with all her strength as tears streamed down her face, grief for her mother’s death overwhelming her. She cried for the years of freedom she had lost, for the pain and suffering she had endured. And she cried because she finally felt safe in Gabriel’s embrace.

Gabriel’s heart ached as he felt Lila’s tears soak his shirt, his emotions in turmoil. He rubbed her back soothingly, his lips peppering her with gentle kisses, trying to provide comfort while adding no pressure.

The tension in the air was palpable; the weight of Lila’s grief and pain was pressing down on them both. Gabriel wished he could remove her pain with a single touch.

Lila clung to Gabriel, finding solace in his embrace, feeling the warmth of his love and understanding. Lila clung to Gabriel, letting him envelop her in his presence and give her a sense of security she had never known. Her tears fell freely, her body trembling with the intensity of her emotions.

Gabriel got a mind link from Matthew. “Boss, what’s up? You haven’t come down for breakfast, and you missed lunch. And you were not at training this morning. What’s this slacking off? Have you taken a she-wolf along with you? You dog!”

Gabriel replied, his voice full of irritation. “Matthew, it’s a long story. I can’t talk now. Please take care of the pack’s business for me for now.” He closed the mind link. He didn’t want to be interrupted. He wanted to give all of his unwavering attention to Lila. She needed him.

Lila took in a deep breath with her last sob. Gabriel lifted her chin to look her in the eyes. “Do you want to take a break, my pretty one?”

“Although this is hard, it needs to happen… I need to get it out. I don’t want to make it last over several days.” She offered, determined to let him in.

“I remember the day when Ms. Vicky permitted me to go to the pack’s library. My heart leapt with joy as I ran out of the house, feeling the wind on my face and the sun on my skin.

I walked towards the library, a small building made of stone and wood. As I pushed open the door, the musty smell of old books wafted toward me. The quietness of the library was comforting, with rows and rows of bookshelves filled with leather-bound tomes and ancient scrolls. I ran my fingers over the spines of the books and lost myself in the stories and legends of the pack.

I took some back to the pack. I remember looking at the forest, at the pack border, but feeling somewhat repulsed by the idea of leaving. It was so weird that I didn’t feel a sense of wanting to leave the pack.”

“What do you mean?” Gabriel asked curiously.

“I don’t know. It’s peculiar. I somewhat remember when they brought me into the pack, I wanted to leave. At least, I saw it in the flashbacks. I think I wanted to find my mother. But that yearning disappeared. I don’t know when. I don’t know how. I wasn’t even drawn to visit outside the village. I was content just wandering close by to the Omega house.” She said, half to herself.

“That’s truly weird, Lila. Do you have other memories?” Gabriel was curious. He wanted to know more about her and her past. He wanted to know who would pay for what they did to her.

“I remember one day,” Lila’s voice trembled as she recounted the memory, her eyes distant and filled with sadness. “I opened my eyes groggily, feeling disoriented. But then I heard a soft voice whispering, ‘Happy birthday.’ That meant it was my 18th birthday. I had completely forgotten. I lost track of time somehow.”

Venus, who had been silent, perked up at the mention of her name, her ears pricking up and her eyes fixed on Lila with keen attention.

“I sat up in bed, feeling a surge of excitement and nervousness wash over me,” Lila continued, her voice catching. “I had wanted to meet my wolf for the longest time. However, when I asked her when we could shift, she didn’t want to discuss it. She said it wasn’t safe. She didn’t want to hear another word about it.”

Venus whimpered, her heart aching with guilt. She had never wanted to hurt Lila, only to protect her in her way.

“Lila, has Venus told you why she didn’t want to shift?” Gabriel asked, his tone gentle but his eyes piercing with concern. Lila looked up at him, tears glistening, and shook her head slowly. Her emotional state was palpable, the weight of her unfulfilled longing and unanswered questions bearing down on her. She felt a mixture of frustration, confusion, and a deep sense of yearning, unable to comprehend why her wolf, Venus, was keeping her from the truth.

“No. Honestly, she’s been giving me space to work through my emotions. We haven’t had a conversation. I was busy sleeping, then eating, and here we are now.” She replied, smiling shyly at him when remembering waking up so close to him, his warmth, his scent. She didn’t want to let herself go there just now.

Gabriel nodded, taking in Lila’s scent and noticing her reaction to remembering their morning. Zeus wanted to rip out of him. He wanted his mate, Venus. He tried to comfort her and understand why she didn’t let Lila shift.

Lila took in a deep breath. “I need you to stay calm, Gabriel.”

He looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “Why are you saying that?” He was already struggling to keep Zeus under control.

She cupped his face and pressed her forehead against his. “You won’t like the next memory. I fear sharing it with you. But… I need to. I need to know you’ll be there for me.”