Chapter 43 Recognizing Mirrors

~Anna~

He settled his head at the crook of my neck and inhaled my scent. It sent shivers down my spine and his teasing soft lips on my skin made me smile.

“We have to shower again,” I said, giggling.

“We can shower later,” he whispered as he trailed kisses along my jaw.

Sighing, I turned to my side to face him. I traced a finger on his stubble, rough and prickly. “Aren’t you hungry?”

“We can eat later,” he said, taking my finger into his mouth and sucking it. This man was dangerously seductive; I could feel my core ache for him, again.

I took my finger off his mouth and sat up, sheets covering me.

“I have to check up on them, Liam. They didn’t come by today.”

“Aren’t you glad they didn’t?” he asked, smirking.

“Come on. Help me out of this. Get up,” I urged before he managed to change my mind, again. I pulled the sheets from him to force him to get up, but he pulled them back to him.

“Oh no, you didn’t-“I said, gasping.

“Yes, I did.”

I was rolled on my side of the sheets but he was just on top of me.

“Get up, now,” I said firmly.

He laid back with both hands behind his head.

Mm… Anna likes.

“I know. You can’t resist me,” he whispered.

“Watch me,” I replied, rolling on the bed to get the sheet off. Just as I reached the edge, he caught me with an arm around my stomach. His chest pressed on my back and… something else.

“Liam, I need a break.” As much as my body wanted him, I was getting worried as to why neither Lexy nor Gale came to check on him, especially since Liam just expelled the poison yesterday. He was in excellent condition, too good actually, but I couldn’t help but feel something was wrong with those guys.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, sounding concerned. “Did I upset you? I’m sorry. You’re right. Here, we’ll take a shower and then we’ll eat, and then we’ll see those two. I’m coming with you. That cheap half-naked stripper might try something when you’re alone.”

I burst out laughing at how ridiculous that sounded!

“Liam… did you just… aha… call you're… haha… Gamma…”

“Show off your mark. That’ll tell him to back off. Or don’t. Either way, you smell like me now.”

I suddenly stopped and blushed. That came off a bit strong, but I liked it.

Goddess, I love this man.

“Carry me to the bathroom, one who rubbed his scent all over me.”

“You could be so dramatic,” he said, carrying me bridal style. I couldn’t even grab onto the sheets, so I was keeping his eyes fixed in front by pushing up on his jaw.

He strained to talk. “I’ve already… seen you… and more.”

“Doesn’t mean I can just let you see me naked!” I gasped.

“We’re about to… shower together.” He reasoned. Good point, but still!

After shower, breakfast, and resistance, I finally got him out of the room. Holding his hand, we went out together, and into Lexy’s. I wasn’t going to bother her or anybody else, I just wanted to see how we were doing for ourselves – I had a feeling they weren’t telling me everything. The warriors that passed us by recognized their Alpha and stopped for a moment to greet him and me. They called me Luna…

A glimmer of hope shone in their eyes when they saw him, but one look with mine shared a piece of disappointing news, one that snatched that light. My stomach tightened every time, and I found myself asking if it would really be alright even if he didn’t remember. The pack needed him, now more than ever.

As we spotted the facility, I froze. Men carrying an unconscious warrior arrived at almost the same time. It hadn’t been five minutes yet when the doors opened and they went out and headed back to where they came from, hurrying.

“Are you alright? Anna, you’re shaking.”

I hadn’t realized it until he pointed it out. My hands visibly shook, and I couldn’t get them to stop. My throat felt dry. I licked my lips before responding.

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look –“

“I said ‘I’m fine!” I snapped, shocking him. “I’m sorry. I… It’s just that… I was reminded of something.”

He rubbed small circles on my hand with his thumb.

“Do you still want to go?”

I nodded.

We were almost at the doors when two more men, carrying someone on a stretcher, emerged from the woods. A bloody arm hanging from one side; his comrades had stern looks on their faces. My eyes widened when they got closer and I finally recognized who it was – Rigel!

They looked shocked when they saw us but immediately headed inside, with the two of us following them. A wave of antiseptic, metal, and death crashed through me upon entering. Medics paced back and forth; patients lined in the waiting room.

Spotting Rigel, I dragged Liam across the busy floor into the hallways, which was worse than the waiting area. Thankfully, although it was crowded, everyone made way for the medics who were rushing to get Rigel in the… emergency room.

“Send me anyone available,” said a familiar voice.

Lexy was walking towards us, surprised that we were there. I must’ve looked like I’d seen a ghost seeing as how deep she frowned.

“We’ll do what we can,” she said, before pushing the doors open.

“Alpha, Luna, we are from the Head Gamma’s team,” said one of the men who carried him here. He looked to be a teenager, tall and lanky. If appearances were the criteria for a warrior, he wouldn’t cut.

His hands balled into fists, and he blinked rapidly to hold back tears. “Gamma Rigel saved our lives. We… I… I promise I’d get stronger. I promise I’d get stronger and surpass even you…,” he said aloud, pointing at Liam.

His companion, bulkier with heavyset muscles, and three small X scars right under his left eye, nudged his side and forced him to lower his hand.

“…then I’d kill off all those rogues in the blink of an eye that he wouldn’t have to risk his life for me.”

The tears fell. He covered his eyes with his forearm, shoulders shaking as tears streamed down his cheeks.

His companion looked at us with a passive face.

“I apologize for my friend here,” he said as he smacked his back sharply. “We’d best be going back to the borders. Please take care of Rigel.”

He spun the teenager around, guiding him back.

“I’m sorry,” Liam said suddenly, his voice clear and loud like he was addressing everyone present.

Alpha voice.

They stopped what they were doing, and all heads turned to him. I looked up at him, mouth gaping, and eyes wide.

“I’m sorry it took me this long. You all did your best up until now. Please let me handle things from here onwards.”

His face was stern, shoulders tense, anger rolling off him in waves.

“Yes, Alpha!” they all answered, eyes hopeful, and furious.

He looked down at me and his eyes softened. He smiled a little, then cupped my face. It took me a while, but I found my voice.

“Wh-When did you… re-rem-“

He kissed my forehead and my mouth shut.

“We’ll talk when I get back. Trust me.”

I remained frozen on my spot as I watched his back disappear into the crowd. The loud thumping of fists on chests bounced off the walls, ceding only when he was gone. My mind was a mess of questions that demanded answers, and undiscernible emotions swirled in my heart.

Rigel was fighting for his life. Liam was heading to the frontlines. And here I was, rooted in place, unable to move my legs. Unable to catch up to him… hold on to his shirt and beg him to stay…

I was rooted in place just like that day when I couldn’t run to save myself. When Head Gamma Aiden turned his back to me for the last time, and the last I saw was the fleeing figure of Alpha Fraser’s wolf.

I was rooted in place, clutching at the vial that hung in my neck, my mind blank and the world fading…

I’m still the same Anna as back then…

I don’t know how I found myself back at the mansion, in our room. Night had already fallen and he still hadn’t returned.

I bit on my nails, hands shaking, and an uncomfortable knot in my stomach. My nerves were on edge, my mind an anxious mess. There were so many things I wanted to tell him, ask him; I was beyond furious that he kept this from me but also worried that I wouldn’t get a chance to. The lights turned off, and the absence of it from outside worsened my agitation.

Howls came from all directions. They had been for hours on end, suddenly disappearing only for me to hear them again after a few minutes of intervals. Every time, my heart shrank, for it could be his howl that was suddenly cut off.

How long had it been? My swollen eyes stung, and his pillow was drenched. I hugged it tightly to my chest, letting his scent cloud my mind to distract me.

Not another one…

I pleaded with the Goddess to watch over him, although I wasn’t entirely sure she would be with the new moon. Clouds blocked the stars tonight. Nothing was helping…

I needed him - his breathing, physical presence beside me. I needed his warmth to engulf me, for him to whisper that it was alright. It made me hate myself more. He was risking his life… everyone was risking their lives… and all I could do was sit on my butt and cry and worry. My fingers brushed past his mark – I shouldn’t have let him mark me. He was a strong Alpha; he led a strong pack. Gale, Lexy, Rigel… everyone.

I was a useless Luna. I didn’t deserve his mark. I shouldn’t have marked him. He deserved someone else’s mark. Someone stronger, someone who had a wolf, someone who could help him lead, and fight. That wasn’t me. I was nothing but a scared human who didn’t belong. Baggage to everyone here.

Salina was right. She was right about everything. I could never measure up to her sister.

The door swung open, ever so slowly. He stood there with the light behind him casting a long silhouette. His breathing ragged and his scent instantly filling the room but with a tinge of blood. Scrambling out of the bed, I ran towards him.