Page 4 of Return to the Pack

Everyone is focused on Axel.

Luna…

What? I move my lips silently, mouthing the word.

Luna…

I think Axel’s the one saying my name.

As activity continues all around me, I fell into a semi-trance.

Axel’s got a hold on me, more potent than our previous True Mate ritual bond.

The ferocity of the bond scares me. And yet, it draws me like a moth to a flame. I seem bound to follow it, even if I burn to a crisp in the fire.

Chapter Two

Luna

It takes a few days of constant care to keep Axel from falling over the edge into the unknown world of death to join Mama. I don’t think I could take losing another person I love. Luckily Callan’s been in and out of Axel’s room every few hours over the last few days, changing bandages, applying some gooey salve to Axel’s scrapes and bruises.

Sometimes I clean Axel with a basin of warm water and a washcloth, lovingly caressing his ravaged body with the cloth. But for the most part, I watch over him to make sure he still breathes.

Outside, the wind still howls and constant rain drenches the land.

Callan, Ethan, Warrick, and I barely say a word to one another as day falls into night and night yields to dawn. If I eat, I don’t remember eating. If I sleep, I barely track it—I’m too caught up in this strange connection I share with Axel. Nevertheless, his whispers continue to fill my head.

Don’t leave me, Luna. Never leave.

I won’t, Axel. That’s the past.

I don’t think I’m gonna make it… The void is calling to me.

No, Axel, you can’t leave us! You have four wolves waiting for you and an entire pack to lead. And me…

I cuddle into him and hold him close.

Finally, at dawn after five days of rest, Axel rolls over, looks into my eyes, and smiles.

A flood of elation fills my heart. “Axel! You came back to us.”

His eyes drift closed, but the smile remains. He draws a trembling stroke along my cheek and down my neck. “You didn’t leave,” he says in a rasp.

“No,” I say, unable to think of anything clever to add. “I never will.”

Axel opens his eyes once more with a groan and pushes himself up to prop his torso on the headboard. “Well, fuck… That hurt.” He chuckles weakly. “Even laughing hurts. Did I break my ribs?”

“A few. And you broke your femur and your tibia. I learned those words from Callan.” I beam proudly at my Alpha, and he nods, looking as proud as I feel.

“You’ll be a regular medic with him around.”

“You okay?” I ask, squeezing his hand.

“When the house came down all around me, I thought I was a goner, that’s for sure.” His eyelids drift closed again.

“Can I get you anything? Water? A beer?”

“‘A beer,’ she says… What a good nurse you are.” Axel chuckles again. Then, opening his eyes, he directs them at me. “I am hungry, in fact. Thirsty too. Can you fetch me some food and water?”