Chapter 23

Xander's POV.

The moon was shining at its brightest now and seeing my Avery sprawled on the floor made my whole being quiver with fear... What's wrong with Avery?

I rushed to her and quickly bent over her, I checked her pulse rate and I had a sign of relief when I felt that she was still breathing.

"Avery?"I called out to her in a hushed tone.

"Avery, are you okay?" I questioned her but she remained motionless.

I was scared out of my wits, my wolf became restless and I had no idea what to do.

‘we need to leave the opening, let's take her somewhere more concealing.’ Declan suggested and I know he was right, this place is very dangerous and it's best I find a place to conceal her from danger.

I carried her up, her scent was intoxicating me and drawing me deep, but safety first. How can anyone smell so good?

I found a nice place and we stayed there, the cold was banging my skin hard but my priority is to wake Avery up. I'll deal with the nakedness later.

"Avery, please wake up. We're far from home Avery. I can't believe you're so stubborn-headed to the extent that you came into this dangerous wood at such an odd hour. God forbid, what if something had happened to you? How will I live." I said, trying to wake her up, her hair is damp and her body is as cold as ice.

"Why do you have to be so strong headed Avery? We could have shared the pain." I kept muttering to her.

I don't know what to do, I should probably take her back home because the weather here is very unfavorable, but I'm afraid of attacks from nemesis. Rogue wolves are unfriendly and very bitter, they exist for themselves and don't care about other wolves. They live on their own accord and don't bend to any rule.

Avery's unconsciousness is a big disadvantage and I can't risk her safety for anything. The rogue wolves or any enemy would take on us if they discovered that she's the Luna, things won't turn out well, no matter how I'll try.

I looked at the moon, shining in its outermost beauty, and prayed for the moon goddess protection on Avery.

Avery has become my life, I've always hoped to be with her, and now that the moon goddess has faithed us together, I can't allow anything to hurt her. I'll always protect her at any cost.

I rested her head on my lap and began stroking her head, constantly checking her vitals.

She breathed in and out peacefully, she's the most beautiful woman to me, everything about her was just beautiful and perfect; her perfect nose, those succulent lips I'm longing for.

Her eyes were the most beautiful, and I wish to see them staring at me and making me turn wild for her. ’Wake up soon, please' Declan whimpered and I could feel his worries, he was bound to be worried, I'm a mess of worry myself.

As if she was hearing our thoughts and gibberish, she began to move her delicate body.

Her eyes began to flutter, just like butterfly wings, and I thanked the heavens when she opened her eyes.

"Xander?"She called, looking up at my joyous worried face.

"Stop smiling too much or your face would begin to hurt."She said, seeing the wide smile on my face.

"What's wrong? What are you doing here at this time?"She asked me with a puzzled expression.

She's asking me silly questions, she's also here along with me.

I stood her up and asked, "Are you alright, Love."

"I'm fine. How come your body is deprived of clothes, I told you I'll be fine."She stated with a baby-like voice evident with concern.

"Why did you come alone into the woods? Do you know how dangerous this might be?"

"I'm fine. I just wanted to be alone."She said, pain evident in her voice.

Unknown feelings of agony sprung in me from hearing her pained-filled voice.

"You'll be fine Avery, you just need to be alright. No matter the number of tears we shed for them, we can't undo what's already done. Take heart, Love."

I draw her close to me and hug her tight. She is going through a lot and I wish I can share in her pain.

"We can't be here Xander, danger lurks around In every corner."She said, becoming alerted suddenly.

I was so lost in her scent and company that nothing in the world matters to me again except her company.

"What's happening? Why do you look so worried? I know it's quite dangerous staying here, but you need to rest."

I'm worried about her, her face seems alarmed and I immediately shifted and made a mind link with her.

‘don't you think it would be much better if you can shift, it's more comfortable in this freezing weather?’

‘I'm fine Xander, but the scent I'm getting is making me queasy. ’ she said, as she immediately shifted, growling.

My scent picked up something and I became quite uncomfortable, Avery is still in need of observations.

'This isn't good, I think it's rogue wolves, they're the ones with such a horrible scent.'

Suddenly we heard growling sounds around us and I knew we were in for trouble, the rogue wolves are merciless when they want to be.

I tried to move out of our current location to a much safer place, but three hefty dark-looking wolves jumped up in our frontage.

They blocked our way, snarling at us. I looked around for an alternative route to escape, but the wolves seemed very difficult to evade.

‘What do you suggest? My head isn't thinking straight, we have to get out of here before something tragic happens.’

I nodded in agreement and we both decided to run away from the bloodthirsty rogues.

We took a high leap over their heads and began to run towards home. I let Avery lead the way home, she seems to know the forest better than I do.

A figure showed up in our path and we made a sudden halt.

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Avery's POV.

As I lost consciousness due to the moon dust sprinkled on me.

I was transported back to where the moon goddess had found me. My nose immediately got the scent of Xander.

"He's coming for me, Kira. The thought of not being able to spend my life with him is sickening. He's so kind and caring for me and yet I'm going to leave him incomplete once my mission is done."I lamented and Kira made a whimpering sound.

‘I know it's a sad one. But we can't stand in the way of destiny, the moon goddess was kind enough to give us a second chance and such an amazing mate. We should make the best use of our time.’She comforted me and I felt good a little.

Xander was getting closer, so I lay low and pretended to be unconscious.

I heard everything he was muttering to me and my heart was in pain for him.

How can fate be so cruel to me?

My first mate was a hypocrite, a deceiver, and a murderer. He and evil go hand in hand, he'd shorten my lifespan, killing me in a cruel painful way.

And then, in my second life, I found a mate who took me as everything and, I can't even stay with him for long.

I could feel his gentle caresses on my body and I longed to be with him, but yet I fear.

If I give myself to him, he'd suffer when I'm gone.

I can't be so cruel to him, I have to be careful when I'm with him.

My whole being begged to be with him but I have to control myself.

‘Avery..... ’ Kira called cooly.

‘Hmmm... Kira, I know what you're going to say but we can't take those chances. He'd be broken once we're gone, how do I provide solace to him when I don't have solitude? With every step we take, we'd have to be careful with him. I don't wish to hurt him.’

She didn't talk to me again and when I tried to call out to her, she remained silent.

I know she's angry and confused at the same time, but the right things had to be done, no matter how painful or unbearable it might seem. It has to be done for the safety of others.

I didn't want to stop my act of being unconscious but the place we are in is very dangerous and his fears for my life increase every second.

‘How can anyone be so caring.’I asked, expecting Kira to chip in as usual but she remained quiet.

He was truly relieved when I woke up, he was angry and caring at the same time.

What a wolf! What a mate!

I smelled danger all around us suddenly, I knew the rogue wolf we were running away from had something in stock for us.

And my suspicion was confirmed.

They were not the only ones!

Our run came to a halt when they blocked our path home.

There's going to be a fight here, I know that already, we have to fight our way home.