Chapter 11: Departure
1082words
Derek emerged from the bathroom with only a towel around his waist, water droplets sliding down his perfect muscle lines. He noticed my gaze, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly. "Good morning, Luna."
"Don't call me that," I pretended to complain, though my lips curved upward involuntarily. "It feels too formal."
He walked to the bedside, bending to kiss my forehead, his movement carrying a possessive tenderness. "You are my mate, Luna of the Silver Moon Pack. Get used to it." His fingers gently caressed my cheek, his eyes flashing with the heat of last night.
The door was gently knocked, and Owen entered, carrying a steaming cup of tea. Unlike Derek's assertiveness, his movements were always more cautious, as if ready to retreat at any moment. "I made your favorite jasmine tea," he smiled, his eyes warm and intelligent behind his glasses. "With a touch of honey, just as you like it."
"Thank you," I took the teacup, our fingers briefly touching, that electric feeling still making my heart race. "Where's Lillian?"
"Playing in the garden with the other children," Owen sat on the edge of the bed, maintaining a subtle distance from Derek. "She's adapting well, seems to have finally found a sense of belonging."
Derek walked to the window, muscles gleaming in the sunlight. "She's a child of the dual moon. This is her home." His voice carried an Alpha's pride, but his gaze softly fell on me. "Your home."
I sipped my tea, observing these two very different men. Derek, strong and protective, with hidden tenderness deep inside; Owen, outwardly gentle and rational, with steel-like persistence. Over these three days, I had witnessed how they both worked for this relationship, carefully seeking balance in each other's territory.
Suddenly, an alarm broke the peace. Derek immediately tensed, danger flashing in his eyes. "Blood Moon Pack."
Owen quickly stood up. "They can't attack again so soon."
We hurriedly dressed and rushed to the manor's great hall. Pack members had already assembled, and Derek immediately took charge, issuing a series of short, powerful commands. Owen went to find Lillian, ensuring her safety.
"Bella," Derek turned to me, his eyes showing unprecedented seriousness. "Take Lillian to the safe room. Don't come out until either Owen or I come for you."
I nodded, but my inner wolf had awakened. "I can fight too, Derek. I'm no longer that human girl who needs protection."
His expression softened for a moment, his fingers lightly touching my cheek. "I know you're strong, but Lillian needs you. Please, for her."
I reluctantly agreed. After finding Owen and Lillian, we headed toward the safe room. On the way, a group of Blood Moon werewolves suddenly attacked from the flank, clearly targeting Lillian.
Owen unhesitatingly pushed Lillian toward me, turning to face the enemy. "Go!" he shouted, his voice carrying a command I'd never heard before.
I picked up Lillian and ran, but couldn't help looking back. Owen's fighting style was completely different from Derek's—not overwhelming force, but precise calculation and agile movements. However, the enemy's numerical advantage was obvious, and one Blood Moon werewolf circled behind him, claws aimed at his back.
"Owen!" I screamed, but it was too late.
Owen turned at the last moment, blocking the fatal strike, but claws deeply embedded in his chest. He staggered but stood firm, his eyes flashing with resolute light. "Keep running, Bella! Protect Lillian!"
I forced myself to turn away, tears blurring my vision. As the safe room door closed behind us, I heard Derek's angry roar and the sounds of battle.
Hours later, Derek came for us, his clothes torn, bearing marks of battle, but his eyes held only the light of victory. "It's over. They've retreated."
"Owen?" I asked anxiously, my heart racing.
Derek's expression turned serious. "He's injured, badly. But the doctors say he'll live."
In the days that followed, we took turns keeping vigil at Owen's bedside. His recovery speed was amazing—an Alpha's privilege—but still needed time. Lillian brought him a flower every day, sitting by the bed telling him her adventure stories.
A week later, Owen was finally able to get out of bed. I found him standing on the manor's balcony, looking into the distance, his expression thoughtful.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" I walked to his side, asking directly.
He smiled slightly, but his eyes held determination. "You've always been so perceptive."
"Why?" I asked, though my heart already vaguely knew the answer.
Owen turned to me, his eyes filled with a peace I'd never seen before. "Because it's the right thing to do. Derek is your true mate, Bella. I'm just... a complicating factor."
"That's not true," I countered, my voice trembling with emotion. "The Dual Mark is real. The connection between the three of us is real."
"Perhaps," he said softly, his fingers lightly touching my cheek. "But I owe you both too much. My mistakes caused you to be separated for eight years. This is my atonement."
"Owen..."
"I'll come back," he promised, his eyes flashing with sincerity. "When I feel I deserve you and Lillian."
The next morning, Owen left, leaving only a brief note. Lillian didn't understand what had happened, constantly asking where her "other daddy" had gone.
"He has important work to do," Derek patiently explained, though I could see he was equally confused by his brother's decision. "He'll be back soon."
A week later, I took Lillian to the park, watching her swing back and forth. Derek tried his best to fill Owen's absence, but we all felt the void.
"Mom," Lillian suddenly asked, her eyes carrying a child's directness. "Do you miss Daddy Owen?"
I was surprised by her insight, nodding slightly. "Yes, baby. I do."
"Daddy Derek misses him too," she said innocently. "I heard him talking to Daddy Owen's picture at night."
I looked into the distance, my heart filled with mixed emotions. Over these days, I had gradually realized a fact: I not only loved Derek but had also fallen in love with the reformed Owen. They occupied different but equally important places in my heart.
Our family was missing an important puzzle piece, and I decided not to let this state continue for too long.
