#12 The Triplets of Emerald Forest

Harlow

I’m not sure what freaked me out more. The fact that Canyon was calling me mommy, the fact that I heard him in dreamland, or the fact that neither one of those things bothered me as much as they probably should have. Something in my heart fluttered when that little voice called me mommy and it was like a missing piece had fallen into place. The most terrifying thought of all? I wanted to be those kids mommy.

“What happened?” I asked, struggling to talk with my dry, scratchy throat.

“You don’t need to worry about that right now, angel.” Griffin said as his fingers lightly brushed against my cheek.

“Griffin.” I groaned and he chuckled at me.

“Fine. Ric took care of Christopher but Cairo got away. Gabe is on his trail right now. Their rogue followers have been dealt with, permanently.” Griffin said with a dark look. I grabbed his hand and tugged him towards me. He greedily stuffed his face in my neck and kissed my sensitive marking spot.

“Hello, Luna, I’m glad to see you awake.” A nurse smiled as she entered the room, “I’m Nurse Hailey.”

“Hi.” I winced.

Godric moved around the nurse to give me a glass of water with a straw. I eagerly chugged down the entire class. He sat on the other side of my bed and both Alphas refused to move out of the way. Nurse Hailey sighed and worked around them.

“How are you feeling?” She asked as she checked my vitals.

She made me sit up so she could listen to my lungs and heart. It felt like my entire body was on fire as I struggled to sit. The brothers instantly realized I was in pain and helped hold me in the sitting position.

“Sore.” I admitted between gritted teeth.

“That’s to be expected, Luna. You broke several ribs, your jaw and nose. You also had a collapsed lung and a severe concussion. Honestly, I’m surprised at how fast you’re healing.”

I immediately thought back to my dream with the Moon Goddess, but I said nothing.

“Everything looks good. I’ll get the doctor, I’m sure she’ll want to run some tests to see what’s going on inside.” Nurse Hailey said before leaving the room.

“I want to leave.” I pouted once Godric and Griffin helped me to lay back down.

“You need to get those tests, precious. When the doctor says you’re ready, we’ll take you back to the packhouse.” Godric insisted.

“When will Gabriel be back?” I asked.

“I’m not sure. Is something wrong?” Griffin cocked his head to the side.

“I had another dream with the Moon Goddess and there are some things that I need to tell you.” I confessed.

“You can tell us now, angel, and we’ll bring Gabe up to speed later.” Griffin said, holding my hand tightly. I bit my bottom lip, unsure about not telling all three of them at once.

“He won’t be upset, Harlow.” Godric assured me, sensing my nerves.

I sighed loudly,

“Fine.” I conceded. I went on to tell Godric and Griffin everything the Moon Goddess told me.

“Dragons?” Godric looked like he didn’t believe me.

“You hit your head really hard, angel.” Griffin looked skeptical.

“No shit. I’m just now getting on board with the fact that this isn’t all one big hallucination so don’t start doubting me now.” I snapped at them.

Godric instantly started running his fingers through my hair like he was trying to comfort me.

“We’d never doubt you, precious. If you say that’s what happened, then that’s what happened. It’s just, dragons are considered folklore to us.” Godric said,

“Oh, so vampires, witches, and fairies, no problem, but you draw the line at dragons?” I snorted.

“Everyone has their campfire stories, angel.” Griffin chuckled, “But, if we all exist, then why not dragons?”

“It would explain how you’re healing so quickly.” Godric pointed out. It didn’t feel like I was healing quickly but I guess the nurse knew better than me.

“And, after we mark you, I guess we’ll know for sure if you suddenly sprout wings or something.” Griffin teased me. I shot him a glare that told him to shut up,

“She said I wouldn’t do that.” I said defensively.

“No, but she did say you’d have some unique abilities so we’ll find out if it’s really the truth or not then.” Godric said, ignoring his brother’s jokes.

“That’s true, I guess.” I was kind of dreading coming into whatever these unique abilities were, but I knew I had to get on board at some point.

“Don’t be scared, precious. Nothing can hurt as long as we’re alive.” Godric smiled at me before leaning down and claiming my lips.

I didn’t last long as my lungs were still struggling to breathe. When he pulled away, Griffin was in my face also demanding a kiss. I laughed at him and reached forward, planting a passionate kiss on his mouth.

“I love you, angel.” Griffin said,

“I love you, precious.” Godric added.

“I love you both.” I grinned, feeling over the moon with their affection. If only Gabriel was here, too, I’d be complete.

“I’m so sorry that you were taken, Harlow.” Godric said, grabbing my face in his hands and looking at me seriously.

“It’s not your fault, any of you.” I said, looking sideways at Griffin, “You saved me, that’s all that mattress.”

“Not soon enough.” Godric growled low from his chest, his eyes dark.

I wondered if they had been green since I was taken. I touched his cheek and he instantly relaxed, his black eyes conceding to his green orbs.

“Do not, for one second, blame yourself. Either one of you. I will kill you if you even think about it for a second longer. You saved me and that’s all I could ever expect. I’m okay, I’m safe, and that’s all that matters.” I spoke passionately to Godric and Griffin, giving them both a stern look.

“Whatever you say, angel.” Griffin chuckled, kissing my cheek from the side while I retained eye contact with Godric. When I was satisfied that he and Quill were finally calm, I looked away.

“Is everyone else okay? Where’s Waylon?” I suddenly remembered the condition of the pack when I was taken and panic seized my heart.

The door banged open and Waylon was grinning widely in front of me.

“Right here, Luna.” He smirked, stepping up to the bed and offering me a fist bump.

“I saw you laying there unconscious and I was afraid….” I gulped.

“I’m all good. I’m just sorry that I let you out of my sight.” Waylon’s cheeky grin faltered.

I reached out towards him, wiggling my fingers. Griffin gave up his side of the bed momentarily so Waylon could grasp my hand. I yanked him down for a quick hug, shooing Godric away when I heard him growl.

“Don’t be sorry. I’m just glad you’re okay.” I told him, patting his back before I released him.

“It won’t ever happen again, Luna, on my honor.” He said with a fierce expression.

“Get out of here, you goof.” I smashed my hand into his stupid serious face and pushed him away. He immediately broke into a grin, laughing as he left the room.

“I know there were losses. I saw bodies when I was being taken.” I said, turning back to Griffin who had returned to my side.

“Yes, we had losses. They’ve all been honored properly.” Griffin said, kissing my hand and pressing it to his warm cheek.

“Everyone was so worried about you, angel. The pack will be so happy to know that you’re awake. They love their Luna so much already. You should have seen the support and loyalty they showed you when you were taken.” Griffin said with a proud smile.

“You don’t have to decide now, precious, but we really want to have a Luna ceremony for you, soon. The pack is eager to have you connected to them.” Godric said and my head snapped in his direction.

“What’s that?” I was nervous but I felt a responsibility to the pack and I knew I had to show them my gratitude somehow.

“It’s really just a big ol’ party that has a small ceremony at the beginning. An elder comes up and says a few words, we as the Alphas accept you into the pack, we mix our blood together in a fancy cup, and then the pack accepts you as their Luna. Done and done. You don’t need to be marked for the ceremony to happen.” Godric explained, trying to lighten the seriousness of it.

“You’ll get to wear a pretty dress, there’ll be decorations, food, music. You can plan it however you want. I’m sure the girls would love to help and I know you won’t be able to tear my mother away from helping.” Griffin smiled at me lovingly.

I could tell how much they wanted this to happen. When Griffin brought up his mother I had a flashback to the confession Christopher made to me about the involvement of her brother, Daniel. I knew I had to tell them but I desperately wanted to avoid it for as long as possible.

“I want to hear that Gabriel wants this to happen too, and then I’ll agree.” I finally said.

Griffin and Godric grinned and folded me in their arms for a group hug.

“He’ll 100% agree, angel. Thank you so much.” Griffin purred into my neck.

“Oh, speaking of Gabe.” Godric stiffened up and his face went blank.

I looked at Griffin who was in the same condition. I grumbled with impatience as they stayed frozen for what seemed like an hour.

“Gabriel! What is going on?” I finally let out a frustrated shout and Godric locked eyes with me, laughing.

“Impatient little thing.” He smirked, tickling my sides. I shoved him away angrily.

“I think Gabe might’ve actually heard you.” Griffin said with a puzzled expression, “He told me to go answer our mate.”

“Really?” I cocked an eyebrow and Griffin shrugged, “What’s going on?”

“Gabe tracked Ciaro’s scent to a fresh camp. He wasn’t there, but his scent was and he’s not alone. There’s quite a few rogues still with him. The fire was still warm so they hadn’t gotten far. He’s sending the trackers after him but he’s coming home to you, precious.” Godric said,

“Good. He’d better.” I said with a pout.

Griffin and Godric laughed at me before Dr. Mollie came in and insisted I get some X-rays done. She wanted to check on my ribs and lung, to make sure that it was healing correctly. She also ordered an MRI for my head. She said, if the tests all came back good, she would send me home by the end of the day. With that news, I was eager to get the tests all wrapped up.