Midnight Mate

Glow

Katya POV

Maeve guided me towards the car, its windows shattered still.. As she opened the door, I noticed the absence of the glass that had once covered the backseat, now meticulously cleaned away. I hurriedly climbed inside, followed closely by Maeve, while Nate settled into the driver's seat.

Confusion filled my mind, and I couldn't help but ask, "What's happening? Where are we going?"

"It's not safe here right now. Falcon has requested that we take you to a place unknown even to his father." Nate explained.

“Why isn't Falcon coming with us?" I questioned.

"Kingdom warriors have arrived on the pack lands, and he needs to confront them," Nate explained. "He will join us when he can."

Though a sense of unease settled in me, I had seen Falcon's strength and trust in his abilities. Reluctant to challenge his decision, I knew it was best to comply and not worsen the situation. Nate accelerated, the car racing faster than I was accustomed to.

"Falcon will meet us, Katya. I promise. I would stand by your side and fight, even against his orders, if I doubted his capability." Maeve promised.

"Are the warriors here because of me?" I asked.

"Possibly. Falcon defied his father, making it seem like we were merely leaving early. But in reality, he went against the king's command. Even as the prince, he must always follow his father's orders," Maeve explained.

Fear for Falcon gripped me, and I pressed, "And what about Tom?"

"He's with Falcon, supporting him. As of now, we can assume that we have all rebelled against the Kingdom. It will undoubtedly pose more challenges for us. But Maeve, Tom, and I will always stand by Falcon. He's already our king, as far as we're concerned," Nate assured me.

The weight of the situation sank in, and I questioned, "So, by leaving now, we're essentially considered criminals?"

"Yes," Maeve confirmed.

My mind raced with the implications, and I finally asked, "What happens if the kingdom warriors catch us?"

"To defy the kingdom often leads to death, or if you're lucky, a life of servitude as a pack slave. Either way, you'll be stripped of any title or position," Maeve explained grimly.

"I can't do this to you guys," I admitted, my voice filled with a mix of fear and concern. "I can't have you risking your life."

"Katya, you are our Luna," Nate said. "We will always fight for you. We are happy to follow you, and we are very much willing to take this risk."

I sighed, feeling the weight of their loyalty pressing down on me. "I'm just a human," I confessed, my voice tinged with guilt. "I feel bad. I mean, from what I have at least witnessed, isn't a Luna supposed to protect, just as an Alpha?"

"Being human does not make you weak, Katya," Maeve reassured me. "The moon goddess bound you to Falcon. That means she was confident you were meant to be a Luna. I also don't really think you are just human."

Nate shot a quick glance at Maeve, his eyes filled with warning, before refocusing on the road ahead. It was clear she was not supposed to say that to me.

"What do you," I started to ask as I heard Nate's curse pierce the air, the sound blending with the roar of the engine as the car accelerated, pushing us forward even faster. The sudden increase in speed made my heart race in my chest, pounding like a wild animal trying to break free. I glanced out the back window, my eyes widening at the sight of a car looming not far behind us.

If they were chasing after us, what did that mean for Falcon? Was he okay? I desperately tried to establish a mental connection with him, but my words seemed to dissipate into thin air, leaving me with a hollow silence. Uncertainty gnawed at my gut, intensifying the cramps that had plagued me earlier. The stress and fear were taking their toll, causing waves of discomfort to ripple through my body making my period worse.

"Katya, are you okay?" Maeve's voice cut through the chaos, concern lacing her words. I mustered a weak smile, trying to be honest with her, though the concept of cramps might be foreign to her. "I'm okay, just cramps," I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of pain.

"Falcon warned me," Maeve interjected. I needed to adjust to the fact that Falcon seemed to share everything with Maeve and Nate through their mental connection.

"I can feel when Falcon is in pain. Does that mean he may feel my pain right now?" I asked.

"Possibly," Maeve responded, her voice filled with empathy. "But Falcon is strong. I've seen him endure unimaginable pain after battles and still come out strong." The thought of Falcon battered and hurt tugged at my heartstrings, filling me with a sense of helplessness.

Nate abruptly took a sharp turn, causing the car to jerk violently, my body swaying with the force. The screeching of tires filled the air as we raced down another road, followed by yet another sharp turn. The car pursuing us was no longer in sight, but Nate's warning reminded us that the danger had not passed.

"We are not safe yet," Nate cautioned, his voice tinged with urgency, as he skillfully maneuvered the car through a maze of different turns. I tried to remain as calm as possible, despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins, knowing that I had to stay focused.

"Falcon and Tom are fighting against the kingdom warriors, they will make a run for it when the opportunity arises. Despite being outnumbered,Falcon said they will be fine. 'I'm afraid that's all he could tell me for now,” Maeve explained, her voice competing with the thumping of the car as it jolted through a gaping hole in the road, causing me to let out an involuntary yelp. I quickly covered my mouth, embarrassed by my display of weakness. “We're all scared, it's natural,” Maeve reassured me, attempting to ease my anxiety.

As we pressed on, the car eventually pulled up to what appeared to be a desolate gas station. “I think we've lost them, but I'll take us through a few more turns before we head to the safe house,” Nate said, swiftly exiting the vehicle.

Curiosity gnawed at me, and I couldn't help but question Maeve, “Why does Falcon have a secret house unknown to his father?”

“Protection,” Maeve replied. “It's not that Falcon didn't trust his father in the past, but he's always been extra cautious. Only Nate and I know the location, along with Falcon. We've often wondered why he felt the need for a safe house, but I guess he had a feeling he may need one in his future. Turns out, he was right.”

Concerned about Falcon's well-being, I asked Maeve if she had received any updates from him. “Not yet,”she replied. “But perhaps it's a good sign that you're not experiencing any additional pain besides the cramps.”

Hours passed, and still no word from Falcon. The tension in the car was palpable, yet Maeve and Nate remained tight-lipped. Finally, we arrived at what appeared to be a dilapidated garage. Nate parked the car and declared, “Well, we're here.”

Maeve guided me out of the car, and confusion washed over me as I surveyed the seemingly ordinary garage. But then, she led me to a shelf, which she pushed aside to reveal a hidden door on the floor. Opening it, she beckoned me to descend a staircase into an underground chamber. A flick of a switch illuminated a surprisingly well-furnished and spacious room. I couldn't help but be taken aback by the fact that such a place existed beneath the ground.

“There are a few rooms and preserved food, so this place should be good for now.” Maeve explained as Nate joined us. Despite the layer of dust, the place was in good condition.

"This place, it is far from where we were, isn't it? I mean, I know we were driving for several hours, but a lot of it was just to lose those following us," I asked.

"It is a good distance," Nate admitted, his voice steady.

"That means it will take Falcon some time to get here. And if he no longer has the car, how will he even get here?" I asked, anxiety creeping into my words.

"He will run. He can travel fast in wolf form. He is faster than most. But yes, to be honest, it could be some time, possibly hours or days, depending on his situation," Nate responded.

The thought of being separated for days, not knowing how he was, made me feel a wave of horror and anxiousness crash over me. "I'm sure you're starving, so let's see what is here, and then we all need to try our best to wait patiently," Maeve suggested.

"I doubt I can eat," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.

"I know. I doubt any of us can. But I know Falcon would want you to try and relax. We all have to trust in him. He said he would be fine," Maeve stated, her words soothing.

As I sat on the couch, I bit my lip and stared into space. All I could think of was Falcon. I desperately wanted to know that he was okay. His image kept flashing in my mind, a constant reminder of how many times he had saved me, how he had always been there for me when I needed him. I wanted to be there for him now. I desperately wanted to help him.

Lost in my thoughts, I felt a strange sensation rushing through me once again. It was as if an electric charge was flowing through my veins, causing all my senses to heighten. "Katya," Maeve gasped, her voice filled with surprise.

My eyes snapped open, and I realized my hands were glowing. "W-what's happening?" I stammered, my voice filled with confusion.

I felt a buzzing sensation, almost overwhelming. It was the same feeling I had experienced in the car, like I was a ticking time bomb about to explode. This can't be good. What was wrong with me? Why was this happening?

"Take deep breaths, Katya. We need you to calm down," Nate demanded, his voice urgent. I felt his hand on my arm, grounding me.

I tried my best, taking several deep breaths, feeling the air fill my lungs. As I did, the soft glow of light around my hands slowly vanished."W-whats wrong with me?" I stammered, my voice trembling in fear.

Maeve shook her head, her expression filled with confusion. "You're special, Katya. Clearly, you have a hidden power, but it's uncontrolled. Were you thinking of Falcon?" she asked.

I nodded, admitting, "Yes."

"I think your fear for his well-being is triggering it. For now, we need to keep you calm until we understand your true capabilities." Maeve admitted.

I nodded again, trying to stand, but a wave of exhaustion crashed over me. I couldn't tell if it was a result of the strange rush of power or something else within me. My body felt warm, and I could feel a light sheen of sweat forming on my forehead.

Maeve's concerned eyes met mine as she placed her hand gently on my head. "You have a fever. I need you to lie down for me," she said softly.

Frustration welled up inside me. Why was all of this happening to me? Instead of being helpful, I was just causing more trouble.

Ever since I arrived here, it felt like the majority of my time was spent sleeping.

I could barely keep my eyes open right now, feeling a heavy fatigue weighing me down. Suddenly, I sensed something cold pressed against my head.

I'm pretty sure Maeve thought I was asleep now. I could hear the soft rustling of her voice as she whispered to Nate, her words barely reaching my ears.

"Just as I said in the car, there is no way she is completely human," Maeve whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of awe and concern. I could sense the weight of her words, as if they carried a hidden truth.

Nate's voice joined in, a low murmur. "Now that I witnessed it, I believe you. Whatever power that is inside of her, it is strong. My wolf was whimpering inside of me, as if being suppressed. I doubt I would have been able to shift."

Worry laced Nate's words as he questioned Maeve, his tone filled with a hint of unease. "Are we certain she is oblivious to her true nature? What if she is playing Falcon? That power of hers could really hurt him."

"She has no clue, Nate. You saw her reaction, and not just that, you can tell how worried she is for Falcon. She has no clue, and I bet she is terrified. She is trying to act strong, I think she is worried fear is a sign of weakness. If I were in her shoes, in a new world, I would be petrified. I admire how fast she has been able to adjust here and how accepting she has been of our Alpha Prince." Maeve responded.

Maeve's words carried a sense of admiration and relief. "I'll be honest, I've always worried about what Falcon's mate may be like because of his title and simply because I knew his true self. Although many only see his tough exterior, you and I know what is behind it and how he is probably one of the most gentle and caring Wolves you will ever meet. I worried when the time came, he would end up with a mate that came from another Alpha, one that was tough and well possibly stuck up, one that may not accept Falcon's true self. Yet, the goddess was kind and gave him Katya, his perfect match. I don't think she realizes it yet, how much she helps him and is perfect for him. I have not seen a true smile on him like I do now in years."

Nate's agreement held a note of realization. "You are right. It would seem having her here has also opened his eyes to much he did not want to believe. He has always followed every request of him without question, but you and I even noticed something was amiss. You and I have questioned our king for some time. We need Falcon as our king, for he is the one who can save us all from what is going on."

Maeve's concern deepened as she spoke softly. "I just hope he is okay, for his sake and Katya's. He is completely silent, and it has been some time. I worry Katya's fever is linked to this strange power of hers. Perhaps it's awakening because of Falcon's mark or something else, yet she is still human in so many ways."

The room felt heavy with anticipation, the air thick with unanswered questions.

She removed the damp cloth from my head. As she brushed her hand against my skin once again, I could feel her gentle touch. "She's still burning up, even more than a few minutes ago," Maeve said, concern evident in her voice. "Nate, can you carry her to one of the beds? We need to do everything we can to lower her fever and make her comfortable. I'll continue trying to link with Falcon."

I slowly cracked my eyes open, greeted by Maeve's worried face. "Good, you're awake, Katya. How are you feeling?" she asked.

I admitted honestly, "Sore." The fever was taking its toll on me, and my cramps were relentless.

"Where's the bathroom here?" I inquired. Maeve offered to take me, and with her support, I managed to sit up.

"Nate, can you bring the bag with Katya and Falcon's stuff to the bathroom?" Maeve asked, and he promptly obeyed. As we made our way to the bathroom, she unzipped the bag and handed me the products they had thoughtfully gathered for me, as if she had read my mind.

"Can I come in with you? I'll look the other way. I just don't want you to pass out with your fever," Maeve offered.

Grateful for her concern, I agreed, "Yes, you can." We entered the bathroom, and she closed the door behind us. Thankfully, I hadn't started bleeding yet, so I finished quickly.

"Thanks, Maeve," I expressed my gratitude after washing my hands and brushing my teeth. "Thanks for being a friend to me and looking out for me. Having you here right now while Falcon is gone really helps."

She wrapped her arms around me, offering comfort and support. "I'm happy to have you in my life, Katya. Now, let's get you in bed so you can rest. We'll try to bring down your fever, and hopefully, Falcon will be here soon," she reassured me.

Nate had already prepared a cold towel and a bottle of water for me. "Thanks," I said to him, and he nodded in response. Maeve guided me to one of the beds, helping me settle in.

She caught me off guard by silently slipping in next to me, the soft rustle of the bedsheet accompanying her movement. Patting the bed gently, she gestured for Nate to join us. "We may not be Falcon, but the three of us stick together until you're better," Maeve whispered, her voice laced with a small smile. It's funny how their presence in the bed actually made me feel better. I could sense their unwavering support, their watchful eyes guarding over me. As I closed my eyes once more, a wave of comfort washed over me. "Falcon, please be safe and return fast," I wished silently, the words echoing in my mind.