Healing Hearts

C H A P T E R | 31

The next morning was unusual, especially since Luna Denice showed up. Melissa, of course, welcomed her inside. Gabby visible glared at her as she entered; in her own defense, she had been awoken up by the door bell and wasn't in the mood to act friendly.

Layla and Marley were leaving the room, walking down the hallway.

"Luna Denice?" Marley caught sight of the woman first, as Layla and Gabby started to stick their tongues out at each other.

Layla quickly snapped her gaze towards her ex-best friend, a frown taking over her features. In all honestly, she wanted nothing to do with her. The Head Doctor wasn't pleased with how the Luna handled things in the court room.

"Hi, Marley," Denice greeted, a warm smile on her face. She turned to Layla, her smile falling at the look she was receiving, "I wanted to talk to you."

Layla shook her head as she tensed her jaw. Marley felt the grip on her hand tightened.

Denice recognized that Layla wasn't going to answer, she quickly started. "I'm sorry about what happened in the court room," she whispered. "I told you I would be by your side, and I did a very bad job at it."

Gabby looked between the group of three before she complained, "Why didn't anyone tell me about the court case?"

Layla paused for a moment, realizing that Gabby wasn't there, "There was a court case." It was hard to believe Gabby wasn't there, and maybe that's way she depended so much on Denice at the time. She was desperate, and she was planning on forgiving Denice and moving on.

Gabby rolled her eyes, "That really helps."

The Luna sighed, not liking how they were getting off topic, "I'm also sorry for a lot of other reasons like how our friendship ended; I acted terrible and unreasonable. There are no excuses for my actions."

Layla closed her eyes, unconsciously pulling Marley closer to her. The young mate had no discomfort, sensing the pain and hurt through the bound. She had many questions, but she knew this wasn't a good time to ask.

"I'm pregnant."

Everyone is the house froze at the Luna's voice.

The Luna smiled, "I'm pregnant, and I don't know if you remembered-"

Gabby stood up, shaking her head, "You have no right asking that." Melissa stopped making breakfast, coming out of the kitchen.

She stood proudly, "Luna, congratulations. The pack will be thrilled; however, I'm not pleased with what is happening here."

"When we were eight," Denice rushed out, scared that someone would interrupt her, "we promised to be-"

"Each other kids'," Layla finished for her, "godmother."

"Yeah," Denice smiled. "I know it's a lot to think about, but can you please consider?"

Both Gabby and Melissa went to say something, but Marley surprised everyone when she spoke inside. "She'll think about it, but I think it's best if you leave."

Luna Denice was shocked by Marley, but she quickly agreed, saying her goodbyes before she left the building as fast as she could. The Luna took a deep breath, placing her hand where her growing pup was before getting into the car and driving home.

Layla stared at her mate. She smiled, "There really is an Alpha inside of you." The Doctor glanced at the door, biting her lip before she heard a car leave the driveway.

"Alpha?" Melissa asked, her eyes not leaving her future daughter-in-law. "You're an Alpha?"

Marley nodded sheepishly, "Yeah, I am. The the next Alpha for the Healing Moon Pack."

Marley's mate's mother quicker bowed in respect, but Marley shook her head, "Please don't. Really, aren't we family?"

Layla beamed happily at her mate, kissing her hairline. "Mom," she giggled, "how about you and I cook breakfast?" The doctor pulled her mother into the kitchen, who quickly started to ask questions about Marley.

Gabby snickered as she moved towards Marley, in a better mood than she was before. She rested her arm over the taller girl's shoulder — only struggling a little. She smiled softly, after the two giggled at each other, "I told you it was going to be ok."

Marley nodded her head, "Yeah, it is. I'm sorry I ran away."

Gabby waved her off, "Nonsense, I would had ran away too. Werewolves can get PTSD, you know. I know it's hard.

"Plus, I think we need to start focusing on saving your family. More packs are going to come to fight, and we will bring those rogues down."

Marley nodded her head, before she thought of a question, "Layla?" She called out, moving towards the kitchen, "What happened to the Beta and Jasmine?"

"Jasmine got away," Melissa answered, her wolf whining for the lost members of the pack.

"And the Beta?"

Layla mumbled, "He's still alive — locked up in the Pack's Dungeons."

"I need to speak with Alpha Joey," Marley added out of the blue. "I should be more engaged with these plans. He deserves to know the truth about his parents and about the family he doesn't know about."

Melissa look as if she wanted to start a conversation, but she stayed silent when her daughter laid a hand on her shoulder. Layla nodded her head, "We'll go see the Alpha after breakfast."

Marley opened her mouth to argue, but with her mate's stern look, she closed her mouth before going to take a seat at the dinning room table. Layla shook her head, licking her lips as she turned back around.

Gabby stood in the kitchen, "Melissa, this is a very important question." Melissa turned around, raising her eyebrow as she tried to think what Gabby could be asking. "How much did Layla help you because she is a terrible, I mean, terrible cook?"

Layla quickly flicked some pancake patter at her friend, "Well, that was rude, Gabby, and I thought we were friends."

Gabby was too late to duck, getting hit on the chin, "Friends don't attack each other!" She teased back, rubbing her face.

———— A U T H O R  N O T E | 33 ————

Sorry that I didn't update on Halloween — kinda got food poisoning. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Tell me what you think!

QQ (#38): What is something you want to be when you grow up?