Midnight Luna
Chapter Forty Three

Hailey’s POV

The room echoed with the beeps from the machine. It was the only proof I had that he was alive. His face was calm and serene like he was in deep sleep. I watched the movement of his chest, with no emotion on my face. I felt dull and helpless, like my body was now an empty void and nothing in this world can fill it except him. Here in this small room, was the love of my life, lying there with no indication of ever waking up. I desperately needed him to open his eyes, those love filled grey orbs. The war kept filling inmy mind and I growled every time I thought of Logan, causing my blood to boil. He was still out there. I had to find him; he deserved to suffer like all those he tortured. I wanted get up right now and round up a group to track him down. But I couldn’t move from this seat. Leaving the room was the last of my plans. I can’t leave him; I won’t be able to function. A huge part of me was scared that if I leave, he would never wake up.

Suddenly I felt a gentle kick and laid my hand on my enlarged tummy. He was happy to be near his father. He always kicked when I sat here with Zach. “I know you miss your dad. I promise he will be fine.” I cooed and smiled feeling the kick again. I looked at Zach’s handsome face and cupped his cheeks. I still remember when the pack doctor gave me the news. I was hospitalized for few days because Logan’s experiment had taken a lot of blood from me. I was afraid that my child must have been harmed in the process but he assured me that my power unknowingly created a cocoon around my uterus and kept the baby away from harm. At first it was too much too handle. Zach wasn’t responding, I was pregnant and my arch enemy was still alive. I was scared that bring my child in a world full of hate and destruction was a curse for him. But my wolf had fallen in love with her offspring and promised me we’d do everything to keep him safe. I was overjoyed when the information settled; I was carrying his baby in me. I for a second I thought if I told Zach the news, he’d get up and yell in joy. But unfortunately that didn’t happen.

“You’re son can’t wait to come into this world. But I need you to be there when he does. I deserve it; you have to be next to me.” I ordered, but he didn’t move an inch. Tears fell from my eyes and I wept for him. The past seven months were a living hell. I was angry, irritated and annoyed every second of the day. No one would dare speak to me in fear of my reaction. Only people I interacted were Hayden and Erick. Erick came as soon as we had got back from the war. He was the only one who could have a civilized conversation with me. My raging hormones made me wild and pissed every second of the day.

The only time I was calm and happy was when I spent time in his room. Just watching him sleep made me contented. I was in love with him and every fiber of my being wanted to just hide back in depression. But the life in me stopped me from doing it. This small bundle of joy was everything I ever wanted; carrying his child in me was the best gift he could ever bestow on me. This baby was ours and I would not let any harm to come to him. And when he woke up, he will love this baby forever.

“Hailey.” Hayden called from behind. I turned and gave him an annoyed looked. He knew better than to disturb me. “I am sorry but the scouts want to speak to you.” He said, his faced showed sadness and pity. His eyes fell on Zach andI could see the pain and hurt in there, watching his best friend lying there. Everyone felt broken and numb from the absence of their alpha. Many spoke of leaving but I fought them, forcing them to stand by their alpha in the time of need, just like he was there when they needed him. I would die then let the pack he helped build fall apart. I was his Luna and it was my duty to hold the pack together.

I’ll be there.” I said and turned back to holding his hand and staring at his face. I got up and put his hand on my baby bump. My baby kicked and I smiled believing he felt it. “You’re son loves you, Zach. Please come back to me.” I whispered, my tears falling on his hand. I leaned ahead and place a kiss on his dry and chapped lips, yet it was perfect against mine. A loud sob left my lips and rested my forehead on his chest, his beating heart made me quiet down a little.

“I’ll be back soon. I love you baby.” I said, giving him a last look and then leaving the room. On the way everyone passed me, bowing their head in respect. I nodded at them, but didn’t stop to talk. I could see the pity in their eyes, I didn’t need it. I was fine. Zach will be fine. We were fine and pitying us was not necessary. My wolf was quiet most of the time. She was always with the child. I could feel her love for our child. She would just be with him and find peace. She didn’t accept Zach’s condition, arguing that she could feel his wolf. But I knew she didn’t. His wolf was not responsive and that was eating her alive. She kept strong for our child. But I on the other hand couldn’t stop the emptiness from growing inside me each day. I dreaded the day it would completely consume me and leave behind a lifeless Hailey.

I entered Zach’s office and saw three wolves standing next to the desk in attention. I walked to the table and settled down in the chair behind it, my bump was in front for all to see. The entire time they stared at me in a hostile manner, waiting for me to break. I had to be strong no matter how much I was hurting inside. This pack was equally mine and will strive to make sure nothing happens to them. A knock on the door was followed by Hayden poking his head in. I nodded and he entered, closing the door behind him.

“Luna, we are here to give you the details of our search in Mexico.” One of the three wolves spoke. He looked around twenty and had those cute boyish features. His face held much lost innocence and that made me sad. We all had aged a lot after that horrible night. So many families lost their sons and daughters. I thanked them profoundly for their sacrifice but I knew no matter what, that loss can’t just go away in one night. The emptiness they leave behind just keeps opening those floodgates, filling the soul with grief all over again. No one can ever say when that ache will stop; all we could do was to wait for it to slowly fade away. I looked at him and willed him to continue, he nodded and stepped a little ahead.

“Our best scouts had discovered Logan and the human were hiding in Mexico after they left San Francisco. But when we reached there, for five months we tracked them by asking around and planning stake outs in most likely places. But just last month the witch with them became extremely powerful, because before that we didn’t sense her energy. So she blocked our path and covered their scents, leaving us with nothing to go ahead. We still searched but even then it was futile as they had skipped the country.” He reported monotonously and then waited for me to say something.

“So we have no idea where he is?” I confirmed, my hopes sunk but I didn’t show it. He nodded sadly. I looked at Hayden and he had the same clueless face. This was insane. I thought we would at least get his location. My blood boiled wanting to see his corpse beneath my feet. Lydia. Her small scared face floated through my head. The time I had spent with her in that small room was all a lie. I still didn’t know why she did what she did. I was such a fool to have trusted her, but she looked so genuine and kind. Her betrayal hurt even though I barely knew. I had connected with her as a witch, but that was me being naive.

“Okay. Leave me now. I’ll think about what to do further. Until then,” I looked at Hayden. “Double the patrol and put a strict curfew on the members, especially the young. I don’t want any more surprises.” I ordered and saw them bow their heads in respect. As I spoke I felt a wired sensation on my mates mark. Their respect sparked the wolf in me and I could feel this sudden power in my veins, wanting to burst out. And just then my baby kicked me painful and I winced. ”What are you doing, huh kid? Playing with my insides?" I said in my mind. I was replied by another small kick. I smiled and looked up. All four of them had amused looks on their faces. I glared at them, “What are you still doing in here?” I growled. They scurried away but not before Hayden sent me a wink. I could feel a smile form again and a light blush colored my cheeks.

I sat there for awhile, gazing out the French windows, watching trees cast an eerie shadow, shaking a familiar fear in me. The pack house was no longer that happy place, with little wolves running around, playing and laughing with no worry. It was a portray of loss and death. Every member wallowed in sadness and I couldn’t do anything to help because I was doing the same. Zach was my anchor and without him I was a ship lost at sea with never ever finding a path to return. Feeling alone, I got up and left the office to go back to my haven. His scent was all I needed right now.

As I walked the deserted corridor, I saw the pack doctor turn the corner and when he saw me he marched quickly to me. He covered the distance between as in few steps before I could even take two. I was like a big sack of potatoes. I giggled at my own joke, rubbing my belly absentmindedly. “Luna, how are you doing?” He inquired politely. I smiled at him, “He kicks a lot, I guess.” I chuckled. He sent me a grin, his face lit up with fine wrinkles, yet he still had that handsome features. He was forty old year old man yet the wolf gene kept his youth well intact.

“Good kicking is a good sigh.” He assured me. I looked at him and asked the question I always asked him. “Will he be fine?” he glanced at me in sadness. “Luna I have done everything I could. But the poison in the bullet was a foreign substance mixed with a large portion of wolfsbayne. It has hurt him a lot and waking up depends solely on his wolf. Something needs to trigger for him to awake, so until then all we can do is wait. He has to fight it.” He said, his voice was low and filled with uncertainty.

“Don’t worry doc. I know my Zach. He will do anything; fight anything to be with me.” I smiled widely. He looked at me in fear that I had lost my head. I knew I was speaking like a lunatic but thinking of anything else felt wrong. Optimism was all that I had to stay sane. So I will hold on to that till the end. He shook his head, unsure of what to say, so he excused himself. I watched his retracing form disappear in the corner. Turning around I hobbled slowly to his room. As I reached the door, I noticed the one person I thought I’d never see again.

He looked ten years older, with black circles around his dull brown eyes, those eyes that had always been full of life. He looked thin and weak. Pale white skin peeped from under his shirt and my heart reached out to him. I hopped faster wanting to be near him. He sensed me and turned, pain crossed his face and he ran to me, engulfing me in his arms. I held tightly silently letting him know I was always there for him. His body shook as he held onto me; wet tears fell on my neck. Tears came to my eyes and I let it fall, wishing I could take away some pain. Out of everyone out there he didn’t deserve this torture.

Hena was his mate. At first it was a shock to me but no one can question the fates. It was always meant to be. But she didn’t accept him as her soul mate. After that terrible night, she changed. Those witches did some harm to her because now she was a soulless person wondering the land. I had asked her why did she reject him and all she said was “I don’t feel anything for him. And if I do it will only be for Elijah.”

She was damaged and desperately needed to find herself but she didn’t let anyone near her. She stayed back for a month to physically heal and then one night she just got up and left without word. Liam searched for her high and low but she masked her scent, breaking his resolve and creating a shell of a man in front of me. I remember I had promised him all happiness he would get only from his mate, but now I regret ever saying that because now I couldn’t even see a glimpse of the old Liam. He had gone leaving a stranger behind.

He pulled away slowly and hastily wiped the tears away. I kept quiet, just studying every little line on his tried face. He shook his head at me, begging me to not bring it up. My mind filled with thoughts of Nate when he was rejected by Esther. Would Liam do something like that? The thought itself shook me to my core and I knew I couldn’t afford to lose him. He was equally important to me. He was someone I knew I would always love with all my heart. And when I had no one he was there. I vowed to myself to be there for him in these hard times just like he did for me. I would help him get through this and help him to track his estranged mate. I believed she just needs time to adjust. And I guess he knew it to.

“How is he?” He asked, turning towards the closed white door. I shrugged, not knowing what exactly the right answer to that question was. “He’s still the same.” I said nonchalantly, trying to stop the tears from coming. I hate being so helpless and alone. He saw right through me and entangled his hand with mine, pulling me slowly toward his room. He glanced at my bump and sent it a genuine smile. “How is Zach.Jr?” He chuckled at my fake glare. “He is busy plating footsie with my organs.” I grumbled earning snort from him. His smile returned a small amount of light to his face. I really missed my Liam.

When we were close to the door, a painful cramp formed on my belly. I groaned and bent down, holding it. I waited for it to subside but it didn’t stop, in fact another followed it immediately. Liam desperately tried to hold me up but the pain became extreme. “Arrrgg. Liam I think--,” I hadn’t even completed my sentence when I felta cold, slimy liquid trickle down my leg and pool around my ankles.

“My water broke.” I completed, all the while,groaning in pain. He stood there in confusion staring at my wet pant. He stood so clueless next to me that I wished to just walk up to him and smack his head. Oh gosh he was so dumb. Another wave of cramps hit me and I screamed. “God dammit Liam. Get the doctor.” I yelled likea mad woman. He shook out of his trance and turned to get him from the hospital wing. I rolled my eyes at him in frustration. “Liam. Take me with you. What will I do standing here?” I deadpanned. He turned back witha sheepish smile on his face and reached me. In a swift motion he picked me up bridal style and jogged to the hospital wing, like I didn’t weigh anything.

“Jeez Hailey, you’ve become so heavy.” He mumbled, grinning at me. I smacked his shoulder, feeling embarrassed. He laughed and I was about to join him but I got another contraction. We entered the white painted walls and the doctor stood up the minute he saw us.He quickly guided us to the nearby bed and Liam gently laid me down. I loudly groaned as the contractions attacked me one after the other with a few seconds gap. The doctor peered below and nodded to his assistant. After he had a small talk with her, he stood by my side.

“Luna, its time. Your son wants out.” He smiled. “We can’t wait?” I asked foolishly. He took my hand, “I am indeed sorry Hailey, any longer we wait it could harm your baby.” He said my name in sadness. I nodded through the pain. Liam stood on the right, holding my hand and squeezing it gently. But it felt so wrong. This was something Zach was supposed to do. My pain intensified as I thought of his sleeping figure. This was so wrong but even here I was helpless. In desperation I begged him in my mind. ”Zach if you are waiting for a right time to make your grand entrance, trust me nothing is more right and important than this.” I yelled.

A white nurse entered and made me comfortable on the bed. Everything happened quickly and before I knew the doctor was yelling to push. Everyone around kept telling me the same thing. I felt like my mind went numb when I took a deep breath and pushed letting out a loud scream as I felt pain exploded between my legs. It felt I was pulled apart, limp from limp. “Please Luna push.” He said loudly and I nodded, taking a deeper breath, and with all my energy I pushed with every fiber of my being. “I got him.” He said in victory. I felt it widen for a second and then I felt numb. After a few minutes I heard a small cry fill the air. I lifted my head and saw my baby in his arms. I cried, the tears followed profusely as I felt overwhelmed. My eyes lids grew heavy and I closed it. Before I lost my senses a small voice whispered in my head.

"Hailey.”

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

Zach’s POV

It was so cold in here. It felt like I was running around in circles with no sight of an escape. The maze was never ending and every turn I took was a dead end. My mind was frustrated because I just felt like an invisible being floating around aimlessly. It seemed like my mind was far away from my body but I don’t know the way to it. I needed to find it. But the darkness kept confusing me. What was going on, why I was feeling like this. What was this hellhole?

Suddenly my vision cleared a little when the sky erupted with electricity. Its light lit the boundaries of the maze, making my surrounding more visible. It looked creepy and dangerous. Was I dead? Is this hell? It sure felt like it. This place was a mystery and I didn’t have the faintest idea what I was doing here. I looked around, for someone or something to help me. The lighting appeared again this time thunderous sound followed it, shaking my bones in fear. This was utter madness. I couldn’t see my body and I felt empty, like a hollow abyss.

As I begged for someone to hear me, I heard a faint sound travel around me. I couldn’t define it and I thought I had imagined it. After few seconds I heard it again only this time it was louder as if pushing itself closer to me. It sounded like a scream. It came again and I knew it was a scream, a woman’s scream. She sounded like she was in pain and I felt sorry for that voice. Suddenly an echo boomed in the darkness. ”Trust me.” It said, as the words echoed louder and louder until in was a deafening scream. I knew that voice. I pressed myself to think harder but no matter what I couldn’t remember. There was something familiar about this woman yet I couldn’t put a finger to it.

The echoes grew distant and I needed to hear her voice again, so I willed myself to follow that sweet voice, wanting to trust it wholeheartedly. It created a path and as I ran after it the path lit up in silver light. The path glowed and I pushed my senses to go faster, afraid that I would lose it. Just that instant the path ended into nothing, In front of me was a pitch black hole and I couldn’t see a bottom. “No please don’t leave me.” I begged to no one.

"Trust me.” it said again. The voice came from inside the hole. I wanted to follow it but the blackness terrified me. This is insane. I was actually following a voice that asked me to jump into a pit with no idea what was at the bottom. Suddenly her voices blared around me. ”Trust me nothing is more right." The voice yelled and I shivered with anticipation and fear. I peered into the pit and thought of the possibilities. Closing my eyes I took a deep breath and readied myself.

“Ok.” I whispered and pushed my mind into the pit. Blackness engulfed me. As I feel further pain shot through my mind and it ran down below. The pain grew and grew, eating and burning me. I felt I was being roasted alive and my flesh was ripped out. I held it all in, bearing the pain so that I may not fall to my impending end. The air around thickened I was swirled around. Holding on for a second longer I knew it was now or never. I screamed and jerked my eyes open ready to face death.

White. That’s what I saw. Just a white sheet. As the pain subsided the air thinned and filled with a wired scent. The pain was there but it was an ache that I willed myself to ignore. I blinked yet the whiteness shined brighter, blinding me. ”Zach.” I heard her voice again. I growled and forced my eyes to see through the white sheet, wanting to see the girl behind that voice. The urge to see her face grew and I desperately scratched the surface. I yelled pushing the sheet away mentally. As it slowly faded my senses returned and I felt whole again. And without thinking I whispered the word that felt right on my lips as if my lips were working on its own.

"Hailey.” And just like that, a jolt of power surged through my veins as life filled me.

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