Eighth-Born Luna (Emily and Nathan) novel Chapter 29

Nathan’s POV

We were still in the command tent. It had been over a day since we got to Crystal Waters, and our scouts had checked every inch of the ruined pack’s land. They found nothing. No scent, no tracks, not even a broken branch to show where the rogues went. It was like they had disappeared without a trace.

Each time a scout came back with nothing, the mood in the tent got worse. Everyone else was frustrated, but for me, it was torture. Emily was awake at Blackwood, and I was stuck here, far from her, listening to another scout say they found nothing in the north.

My patience finally snapped. I turned to my father. “We need to return to Blackwood.”

Several Alphas looked over. My father’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The search isn’t finished.”

“No,” I agreed. “But we don’t need all of us standing here while the scouts search empty woods. Leave a mobile unit in charge. Marcus can stay and coordinate the reports.”

Marcus arched a brow at me. “Can I?”

“You’re already doing it.” Liam gave a quiet snort beside me.

My father studied me for several seconds. I knew he saw through me. He knew this had less to do with strategy and more to do with the girl lying in our clinic. But he also knew I was right. Finally, he nodded.

“Fine. We return to Blackwood. Marcus, you remain here and send updates every three hours.”

Marcus gave a short nod. “Understood.”

Five hours later, our car stopped in front of the clinic. I got out as soon as it did, with Liam right behind me. I didn’t wait for anyone and went straight inside, heading down the hall to Emily’s patient room.

I stopped outside her door. Through a small gap in the blinds, I could see her sleeping. She looked peaceful, but too pale, with a few healing scratches on her face and hands. Seeing her so fragile made a knot form in my gut, and I hated that feeling.

Asher pressed against my mind. “Closer.”

I barely managed to ignore him.

Liam stood beside me, unusually quiet. “At least she’s awake now,” he said softly.

I didn’t answer. Because awake wasn’t enough. Safe wasn’t enough, not anymore.

I forced myself away from the window and walked into Doctor Reed’s office. The doctor rose as soon as he saw me. “Alpha Nathan.”

“How is she?”

Reed opened her file. “Emily is recovering well. Better than expected.”

My shoulders eased a fraction.

“She has very strong regeneration,” he continued, frowning slightly as he flipped through the papers. “If I didn’t know her history, I would say her healing rate is close to yours.”

Liam blinked. “To his?”

Reed nodded. “Or your father’s.”

That made both of us go still.

My mind stuck on one thing: when Doctor Reed examined her, he had touched her. He lifted her shirt, checked her ribs, and pressed his hands to her skin.

A dark, possessive feeling twisted inside me. I stayed silent, but Asher spoke up.

“Mine.” The growl echoed through my skull. “Mate.”

Reed suddenly carefully asked, “Alpha Nathan… is Emily your mate?”

Liam went completely still beside me. I gave one sharp nod.

Reed simply exhaled like something had finally made sense.

“That may explain part of it.”

My eyes narrowed. “Explain what?”

He sat back in his chair. “This is only a theory, but it’s possible your bond is affecting her recovery.”

“Impossible,” I said. “I was miles away from her.”

“Distance doesn’t always matter with true mates.” My jaw tightened as Reed continued carefully. “We don’t fully understand all the gifts given by the Moon Goddess. Some mate bonds are ordinary. Some are stronger. Some behave in ways we can’t explain.” He studied me. “Did you feel anything while you were away? Weakness? Pain? A headache?”

I looked away. “I felt pain.”

Liam’s head snapped toward me. “When?”

“When she fell. I felt it, not fully, not as clearly as she must have, but enough.” My hand curled into a fist. “Like something slammed into me.”

Reed’s expression changed to a mix of concern and confirmation. “That means the bond is strengthening.”

I didn’t like the way he said it, as if Emily and I were a medical case.

“As for whether your strength is helping her heal…” Reed tapped the file thoughtfully. “We’ll need to observe it.”

“No,” I said. Both men looked at me. “I don’t want experiments done on her.”

Reed raised his hands. “I didn’t mean it like that, Alpha. I only meant we should monitor her progress.”

I forced myself to calm down. “What happens next?”

“She should stay here under observation for at least several more days.”

“No,” I repeated. “She isn’t staying here.”

Liam slowly turned his head toward me. “Nathan…”

I ignored him. Reed frowned. “Alpha, she still needs medical care.”

“She’ll have it.”

“Here at the clinic,” the doctor insisted.

Emily’s POV

I tried to sit up, but pain pulled at my ribs. Meredyth moved closer. “Careful.”

“I’m okay,” I whispered. It wasn’t entirely true, but I had been worse before.

Doctor Reed looked at his notes, then at me. “Emily, I would prefer to keep you in the clinic for a few more days.”

My heart sank. More days in this room with white walls, medical smells, and beeping machines? Please, no.

“But,” Liam cut in with an easy smile, stopping me before I could spiral, “how do you feel about recovering somewhere that doesn’t smell like bleach?”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“A home,” Meredyth said softly. “Real walls, warm blankets, and better food than whatever Reed tries to call soup.”

Doctor Reed gave them an offended look, but Meredyth and Liam ignored him.

“Sometimes a peaceful room helps more than a hospital bed,” she added.

I nodded quickly. “Yes.”

Both of them looked at me, and my cheeks warmed. “I mean… yes, please.”

Meredyth’s expression softened with understanding. I didn’t explain why I hated hospitals, or tell them about the accident, about waking up after my parents died, surrounded by the smell of blood and strangers saying I was lucky to be alive. I didn’t need to; Meredyth seemed to understand anyway.

“Then it’s settled,” Liam declared, clapping his hands together.

Doctor Reed sighed but didn’t argue. A short while later, they helped me dress and carefully placed me in the back seat of a black SUV. Meredyth sat beside me the entire time, while Liam took the front passenger seat.

“You don’t have to be nervous,” she said.

I looked out the window. “I’m not.”

She smiled. “Of course not.”

The drive wasn’t long, but it led farther into the Blackwood pack than I had ever been before. The trees grew thicker, the road became smoother, and the guards became more frequent.

Then the SUV slowed in front of a large mansion with white stone walls, tall windows, and wide steps leading to the double doors. A fountain sparkled in front of the entrance, and behind it all, the forest rose like a dark wall, with mountains far in the distance.

My mouth fell open. “Um…”

Meredyth looked amused. “Yes?”

“I think we’re in the wrong place. This isn’t a packhouse.”

She laughed softly. “No, sweetheart. This is the royal residence.”

Liam turned around in his seat, flashing a grin. “Which means you’re living here with us now.”

Nyx’s voice purred in my head. “Which means we’ll be closer to our mate.”