Chapter 32
Lauren watched her kids as they laid side by side on the hospital bed.
Harry transferred Dahlia beside Damon when die started mumbling her brother’s name while sleeping.
Her heart ached and clenched when Dahlia started sobbing g. She was having nightmares of the attack
If only she kept her eyes on them. She should never have let her distractions get to her. Let alone thoughts of the man she should have already forgotten about
“You did well, Lauren Harry spoke beside her. They had kept quiet for a while after their conversation.
d had his
In fact, she was able to sleep a bit. She just woke up, still leaning her head on Harry who never complained. He was reading a newspaper and I reading glasses on when she woke up
“Quit blaming yourself. There are just some things that are out of our control.”
Lauren inhaled deeply and nodded, letting herself absorb Harry’s words. She knew she had to take his advice. The man has always been wise.
And she knew she couldn’t let her emotions lead her train of thoughts. Or else, she’d always end up crying, being the loser.
“I just couldn’t help remembering the times I had to fight for them. For their safety. For their health. I know I couldn’t turn back time, but I wish I had protected them better. They’re my everything, Harry.”
Her father–figure tapped her head. She instinctively leaned towards the man again and settled in his warmth and protection.
“Tell me about it” She glanced at
him
He put down his newspaper and coffee on the table and focused on her. There was genuine curiosity in his blue eyes that made Lauren feel comfortable sharing.
“Tell me all about your struggles. Your highs and lows. I’ll be listening.”
Lauren felt herself smiling a little as she nodded like a child at the man. She knew Harry as her father’s best friend since she was a child. She couldn’t remember ever feeling like the man was a stranger to him.
“I gave birth to them all alone in the woods”
Harry blinked at her. Shock was apparent on his matured yet handsome face. His thick brows creased.
“Why? What happened!”
Lauren turned her attention towards the twins on the bed and reminisced that day.
She paused for a while, holding her emotions at bay.
“No pack wanted me in. You know, being a lone werewolf. Basically being a rogue. No one trusted me. No one trusted my story, that I came from Blue Mountains Pack. I never told anyone I was from Black Ridges.
“Why not?”
Lauren pursed her lips, Sadness creeping inside her chest once again.
But she released it through her breath. “I just didn’t want to narrate that entire story y to them.”
“And” Lauren wished Harry wasn’t so perceptive and observant. He caught when she decided not to add whatever she wanted to say.
“And I just didn’t want to stain your and Declan’s reputation. Declan would have been branded as some unfaithful mate. You’ve been an Alpha. You’ve always known how important having your Luna as your mate is. Marrying me would have been a scandal. I wasn’t his mate.” At that time, she wanted to add, but didn’t.
__“That’s why in some way, I didn’t complain when he kept us a secret. Because I understood.”
“I still can’t believe you let Deck step on you like that. Harry grumbled
Lauren couldn’t help but smile. Maybe because he was Declan’s father, he always made her feel like Declan was a nobody. That he wasn’t as strong. powerful and smart as everyone thought he was. He has always made her feel like Declan was the one who was lucky to have her, not the other way
around
“I also didn’t want to be traced by anyone so I kept that a secret. They might report me to Decian, or a word might get out that this great Alpha’s ex was in their pack. I didn’t want that. So I didn’t tell anyone”
10:14 AM
Chapter 32
Harry nodded, understanding. Lauren continued.
“But when I had my cramps and knew that I was in labor, 1 wished I told anyone I was bearing the child of an Ivanov. So somebody might help me. But more than that, I wished Declan was with me. I wished he’d magically come and have saved me from the pain and fear that ate me up at that time. I had my attacks that night”
Whether by instinct, Lauren grabbed on tightly on Harry’s arm, seeking comfort from the fear that washed over her due to the memory. It was the first time she was telling this to someone.
Harry just continued listening to her silently
“But I went through that alone. Now that I think about it, I am very proud of myself to be able to do that. It’s crazy how my adrenaline worked. I managed to walk so far and find an empty cave. I laid as many clothes as I could and basically made a nest inside that place and gave birth to them.”
She paused as she remembered some details during that night,
“The Moon Goddess must have been with me at that time because she gave me all the survival instinct I needed to do that. And when I woke up. I realized that someone must have helped me at some point when I lost consciousness, because Damon and Dahlia were already wrapped properly with my clothes. They were kept warm all throughout the night”
that
“But I was scared. So scared and stupidly cried for Declan again and again. In some way, chanting his name became like a comfort to me at time. It brought me a sense of hope that maybe he’d come and I’d be saved from the predicament. That I just had to endure for a bit more because It least for our children, he’d show up”
Lauren shrugged, trying to downplay the familiar emotions swarming in her chest
It’s been years yet she’s just realizing now that she only was able to put some band–aids on that huge gash of wound in her heart
“But of course that didn’t happen.”
“I’m
sorry” Harry suddenly said.
Lauren glanced at him, almost forgetting that she was actually telling this to the father of the man she’s been brokenhearted for since forever.
“It’s okay, Harry. And I’m sorry for saying this, you’re still Declan’s father. I just always feel like you’re my real Dad, that I can share anything with you
Lauren tried laughing, but that laugh came out sounding like a choke when a wave of emotion washed over her. She realized she sounded pathetic.
was truly pathetic.
But it was real. She was tr
Whenever she was scared of anything, or needed help about anything, her mouth would always say his name as if he was the solution to every problem.
Years ago, he always came before that marriage happened. When they were kids he always came to her rescue. But since she was no longer just Lauren Williams and became an Ivanov, she could feel the hate reeking out of Declan whenever she called his name for comfort or help.
As if her voice repelled hims
“Sorry,” she repeated and sat up properly. She had to know her limits. Harry was still Declan’s father, no nutter what
But the ma
man never ceased shocking her. He shook his head.
“Don’t be. He should have come when you called his name. You never should have even been in that place when you gave birth. You should have been in the comfort and safety of the hospital, or your home. That predicament was his fault.” Harry seethed, clenching his fist
Lauren saw his clenched fists and she suddenly fell guilty. She didn’t want Harry to be mad at Declan. She didn’t want to be the reason if ever they fought.
“Well to be fair, he didn’t know I was pregnant when I left. So, that way also on me.”
Harry turned to her She saw how serious his blue eyes were.
“You, defending that prick, just makes me want to bash his head even more.”
“Harry” she whined. She held on to his arm again and leaned her head back on his thick shoulders.
A small smile appeared on her face, realizing how much she missed the feeling of someone willing to protect her.
let you meet your grandchildren for so long”
“Limissed you, Harry. I’m sorry I didn’t keep any communication with you. I’m sorry I didn’t le
Harry sighed and hugged his other arm towards Lauren’s side.
“He’s been with Lauren since the day she was born. He treated her as las oil as he’s always also wanted a daughter. But Theresa couldn’t birth
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Chapter 32
another child after Declan anymore. She had major health problems which also led her to be taken away earlier from them
But Lauren filled that longing in his heart, Especially when she grew close to his son. He always just knew that Lauren was going to be a part of their family
But some things just take time to happen.
“I missed you, too, my dear. Don’t worry, as long as I am here, keep in mind that there will always be someone to help you and will always come when you call. I will do my best to protect you. Or your father will come for me.”
Lauren chuckled, but her eyes quickly felt hot. Tears sprang from her eyes She hugged Harry, which he immediately received and reciprocated
“Thanks, Dad.” she mumbled on his chest.
Harry just hummed and tapped her head and arm, as if she was a child and he was coaxing her to sleep.
And just like a child, indeed, her lids closed and she felt at peace. For the first time, feeling like she was protected and safe, Safe anything around her, including her own mind.
e from the horrors of
