“Lily?” Martha’s voice broke through the silence, followed by a gasp. “Oh, thank the Moon Goddess! You’re awake!”
Martha rushed to Lily’s bedside, tears welling in her eyes. She took her hand gently, her weathered fingers trembling slightly. She waited for a response from Lily, but only got silence in return.
Lily’s eyes were vacant, unblinking. She was physically there, but her mind was a million miles away.
“Seven days,” Martha whispered, her voice cracking. “You’ve been unconscious for seven whole days. Ragnar and I were so afraid we might lose you.”
Lily tried to sit up but winced as pain shot through her body. Martha quickly placed pillows behind her back, helping her into a more comfortable position.
“Don’t push yourself,” Martha warned, adjusting the blankets around Lily. “Your body is still recovering.”
Lily’s eyes met Martha’s, a vacant, distant look in them. She raised her hands weakly, signing a simple ‘Thank you’.
Martha wiped away her tears and busied herself pouring water into a glass.
“Here, drink this. You must be parched.”
Lily took small sips, the cool water soothing her dry throat. When she finished, she handed the glass back to Martha and signed again.
‘Could you bring me something?’ Her fingers moved slowly, still weak from disuse.
“Anything, child. What do you need?” Martha replied eagerly, relieved to see Lily communicating.
Martha froze, the empty glass nearly slipping from her fingers. “Moonchild Tea? But that’s...”
Lily nodded, her expression unchanging.
“But that’s... that’s for women trying to...” Martha couldn’t finish her sentence, her face paling as realization dawned. “Lily, what happened–”
Lily’s hands moved again, her signs deliberate and clear despite her weakness. ‘I wish to fulfill my duty to the pack as their Luna. Sire an heir for their Alpha.’
Martha sat heavily on the edge of the bed, shock evident on her face. “Lily, you don’t have to do this. After what he’d done to you–”
A sharp knock on the door cut through their conversation. Lily flinched, her body tensing as she instinctively pulled the covers up to her chin, eyes wide with fear.
The door opened to reveal Ezra. He peered into the room from the doorway.
“Luna Lily,” he said formally, his eyes taking in her frightened posture. “Alpha Zayn requests your presence in his study room immediately.”
Lily’s hands began to shake uncontrollably. She shook her head frantically, shrinking further into the bed.
Ezra stepped forward with a frown, entering the room. “This isn’t optional.”
When Lily didn’t move, he reached for her arm, “I will escort you—”
“That won’t be necessary, Ezra.”
Zayn’s deep voice from the hallway made everyone freeze. He appeared behind Ezra, his large frame dominating the doorway. His cold eyes settled on Lily, who had pulled the covers up to her eyes, trembling visibly.
Martha immediately positioned herself between Zayn and the bed. “Alpha Zayn, please. She just woke up. She’s still recovering and isn’t strong enough to—”
“I can see that,” Zayn interrupted, his expression darkening. He made no move to enter the room further, instead remaining at the doorway. “We’ll be moving out of this packhouse in three days. The new packhouse is nearly complete.”
Zayn quickly glanced at Lily, who was now peeking over the edge of the blanket. But his eyes remained transfixed on Martha.
“As the Luna, it’s Lily’s responsibility to catalog all the items for the move. Every piece of furniture, every book, every item of value must be accounted for.”
Lily’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of her duties.
He continued, “If she’s not up for the task, I’ll have Victoria handle it.”
Zayn’s mention of Victoria made Lily stiffen. She quickly gestured for Martha to come closer.
“Lily says she’ll do it,” Martha translated after Lily frantically signed to her.
Martha furrowed her brows, mouthing the word ‘why’ to Lily. Lily, with a look of determination, signed. ‘It’s my duty as a Luna. I must do this.’
Zayn studied Lily for a moment, his expression unreadable.
“Good,” he finally said before turning to leave with Ezra tailing behind.
Once they were gone, Martha turned back to Lily with concern. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. He can’t force you.”
Lily shook her head firmly, her hands moving to form words. ‘I must. It’s all that I have left.’
Martha sighed, “Very well, I’ll get you that tea you’ve requested as well,” she conceded. “But first, let me help you get ready for the day.”
Just as she was about to leave her bedside, Lily tugged on Martha’s dress. fre.ewebnov el.com
“Hmm? Do you need something?” Martha asked as she turned back around.
Lily looked down at her hands, fidgeting with them for a moment before she began to sign. ‘I want to restore my voice. Could you find someone who can help?” fre ewebno(v)e\l.(c)om
Martha’s eyes softened. “Of course, dear. I’ll ask around, dear. There might be healers who know of ways.”
“I can help with that, too,” Ragnar offered from his position by the door, making both women turn in surprise. “I know some wolves from the other packs. One of them might know of someone who can help.”
Lily nodded gratefully, then signed. ‘Where is Talia? I haven’t seen her.’
Martha’s expression fell slightly. “She had to leave the pack urgently for a while. Perhaps an emergency cropped up in her home pack.”
‘Does she know about what happened?’ Lily signed hesitantly.
Martha shook her head.
“After you... After we brought you back, I went to look for her. But she was already gone.”
Lily did her best to keep a straight face, nodding understandingly.
“Before I go, let’s get you dressed,” Martha said, changing the subject.
She got up to head to the dresser, pulling out a blue dress.
Lily tensed. She shook her head and signed, ‘Something with longer sleeves, please.’
Martha’s face fell as understanding dawned. She nodded and selected a different dress, one with sleeves that would cover Lily’s arms completely.
“Let me help you dress,” Martha offered, approaching the bed.
Lily shook her head. ‘I can do it myself.’
Martha hesitated, then nodded. “We’ll be just outside if you need us.”
After Martha and Ragnar left, Lily slowly pushed off the covers and got on her feet. They were weak and shaky from extended bed rest, but she pushed herself forward. Lily made her way to the full-length mirror in the corner of the room and removed her nightgown.
Her reflection stared back at her—a canvas of purple bruises and healing cuts. The silver burns around her neck had faded to pink scars. Her fingers traced the bite mark on her shoulder, the punctures from Zayn’s teeth still raw and tender.
Lily unwrapped the bandages Martha had carefully wrapped, revealing more wounds beneath. Her eyes traveled over every mark, every bruise, every evidence of that night.
She placed her palm against the cold surface of the mirror, meeting her own gaze. Her once timid eyes were now filled with strength. Her palm curled in a fist.
‘I must be strong,’ she mouthed silently to her reflection, a promise made in silence.
She will become stronger. She must.