20

Chapter 20 – Mine
Diesel’s POV
I pulled her out of the water and dropped her before me using a water bubble. She looked up at me with the most unique amber colored eyes that ignited a fire within me. Her face held fear and she uttered “Ranger,” before she fainted.
Did she think I was Ranger? How did she know Ranger? I wondered if she was from Dark Moon, and why she would be so far north.
“Turn around!” I growled at the warriors. She was naked and I didn’t want anyone looking at her. I mind linked my Gamma, Zeke, to bring me some clothes.
I walked over to her and held her to my chest to keep her warm and so I could inhale her scent, it was sweet lavender and vanilla. The most amazing thing I’ve ever smelled. Her skin was sending tingling sparks through mine and Duke immediately recognized her as our mate.
I brushed her long wet hair away from her face, she was a beautiful little thing. Zeke’s wolf appeared behind me and had some clothes in his mouth. “Thanks Zeke.” I said as I took the clothes.
I slipped a long shirt over her head and some shorts on myself. She was elemental and had used a fire wall. I moved her long dark brown hair to the side and saw the same Crescent Moon tattoo I had on the back of my neck. She was light as a feather, I held her tight to me and ran back to the castle. I mind linked Dr. Ross to expect me with a patient. I then linked my father to meet me in the infirmary. If she knows Ranger, my father might recognize her.
I ran up the stone stairs and through the double wooden doors of the castle. I raced to the back of the south wing and into the infirmary. I placed her on a bed and Dr. Ross started examining her. Duke was possessive and didn’t want anyone touching his mate. I stood at the foot of the bed closely watching everything Dr. Ross did. Even though he was a mated male, Duke wanted to rip his throat out for touching our mate.
My father arrived and instantly recognized her. “Lucy! That’s Lucy Michaels, Peter’s daughter. What’s she doing so far from home?” He asked with concern in his eyes.
Dr. Ross was lifting her shirt off and bringing out the x-ray equipment, I let out a growl and Duke was on edge.
“Son, what’s wrong?” My father asked. “She’s my mate.” I told him.
“That’s wonderful! About time you found your Luna.” He smiled and gave me a proud congratulatory hug. “What happened to her?”
I explained what happened with the rogues her use of elemental fire and her fear of Ranger when she saw me. I know my older brother and I have a close resemblance but I’m nothing like him. He’s always been a self- absorbed ass.
“She used elemental fire? Her mother, Alice, also had the gift.” He said with surprise in his voice.
“Dad, why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was so long ago, and she passed away shortly after Lucy was born.” He told me. “Peter later found his second chance mate and married Ursa.”
“Her shoulder is broken and has started healing; I need to reset it and then you can take her Alpha. She’s going to need rest for a few days and food.” Dr. Ross instructed.
My dad placed his hand on my shoulder. “It’s a good thing you found her today, there’s one hell of a snowstorm coming in tonight.”
“Let’s make sure Ranger doesn’t find out she’s here yet, there’s a reason she was running and afraid.” I told my dad and he nodded his head.
An hour later, I was carrying Lucy up the stairs of the north wing to my room. “Mate is so beautiful.” Duke sounded like a lovesick puppy.
I gently placed her in my bed and covered her up. I considered lighting a fire in the fireplace to make sure she was warm, but decided against it, in case she freaks out and can’t control her element. I added an extra blanket on top of her and sat a while studying her beautiful face. She had long thick eyelashes, a cute little nose and full cherry lips. I could hardly wait to taste those lips.
She would probably sleep for a few hours, so I went down to my office to do a little research. I filled Payton in on the news and she was beyond thrilled to finally have a Luna and sister. I asked Payton to check in on Lucy frequently and let me know when she was awake.
I was back in the library looking for a particular book and thinking about Lucy. I was getting ready to return upstairs to my room and check on her. She must have been exhausted because she’s been sleeping for six hours now. Duke was also getting anxious to see her again.
Payton mind linked my dad and I. “She’s awake.”
When I reached the door, I realized my sister and father were already in there with her. Her eyes glistened with tears and she looked me over. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever set my eyes on. I could feel Duke pushing me to hold and comfort her.
“Lucy, this is my youngest son, Diesel LaRue, Alpha of Crescent Moon pack.” My father told her.
“Crescent Moon Pack? We’re in Canada?” She asked.
“Yes, and yes. This is Crescent Castle.” My sister told her and introduced herself, then she offered her something to eat.
“Mate looks so distressed.” Duke was pacing in my mind.
“Please, I can’t go back to Dark Moon pack. I’m not the Luna and I don’t belong with Ranger.” She cried.
I let out a low growl. Why the fuck would she belong with Ranger? She’s MINE, I thought to myself.
“Calm down son, don’t scare her. We need to find out what happened to her.” My father said through the mind linked. “Lucy, when did you leave Dark Moon?” He asked her.
“About two days ago.” She said.
I linked the others, “There’s no way to run that in under three days even in the best of weather.” I started pacing, my mind was racing.
“That was fast.” Payton said. “It’s typically a three to four day trek.” “Maybe she’s confused or lost track of time.” My dad linked us back.
“Why would she leave the pack with winter in the air to be a rogue?” Payton asked through the mind link.
“You’re no longer a pack member of Dark Moon Lucy. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to be a rogue? Why did you leave the pack?” Dad asked.
“A-After you left Sir, Ursa moved me out of the room you gave me and into the laundry room. I’ve lived down there for four years, sleeping on a dog bed next to the laundry sink and doing everyone’s laundry. I became the pack slave and wasn’t even allowed to train.”
“RANGER ALLOWED IT?” Payton growled and mind linked us. “I’m going to put him in a cell and make him sleep on a damn dog bed!”
Lucy’s voice was shaking. “After four years of being starved and beaten, I finally turned eighteen and shifted, so I decided to leave.”
“SHE WAS BEATEN AND STARVED! WHAT KIND OF SHIT IS
GOING ON AT DARK MOON?” I linked the others. I swear to the Goddess, I’m going to punish everyone who laid a finger on her.
“Who beat you?” I wanted to know, trying to control my anger.
“A few other pack members, Miranda, Beth, Grace, Steven and of course Ursa. Alpha Ranger thought I was weak; he beat me and threw me in the hole for six days.” She let out a few more sobs.
I let out a growl, “HE PUT HER IN THE HOLE! IM GOING TO
FUCKING PUT HIM IN A HOLE!” I linked the others.
“Son control yourself; you’re scaring her. We’ll deal with Ranger later.” My dad linked me back. Duke was snarling and raging, I tried to calm him down as well.
Then I heard her say, “Beta Max was nice to me and became my only friend. He started sneaking me food daily because Ursa only gave me table scraps a few times a week. One night, after Alpha whipped me in front of the pack—”
Another growl escaped me, I was livid and wanted to whip Ranger myself. He was a sorry excuse for an Alpha! My father built that pack up and all he did was bring it down. My friend had to sneak her food for crying out loud.
“— after the whipping, Dr. Baker had to stitch up some wounds on my back. Max had carried me back and stayed with me while she treated me. He noticed a mark on the nape of my neck in the Crescent Moon shape. He was the only one that figured out I was an elemental wolf.”
“Which element do you have Lucy?” Payton asked.
“FIRE!” I said. She’s the opposite of my element and a perfect balance for me.
She told us how Max helped her plan the escape and sent her north for my help.
“Does Ranger know about your element Lucy?” My dad asked her. “No Sir.”
“Do you believe Ranger will be looking for you?” Payton asked. ”P-please, please don’t s-send me back.” She cried.
“Lucy, what happened?” Payton tried to get more. I had a feeling there was a whole lot more going on here.
“Ranger is going to punish me. He can’t shift, Rex has blocked him out, an- and it’s all my fault.”
“Well there’s some karma for you.” Payton linked me. “Why is it your fault Lucy?” Dad asked.
“Be-because he rejected me for being weak and I accepted his r-rejection.” She was sobbing and struggling to breathe.
“She was his mate and he rejected her for being weak? Is he stupid?” Payton said through the link.
“NO! YOU ARE NOT HIS MATE LUCY! HE DOESN’T DESERVE
YOU!” I told her and moved closer to the bed.
She looked up at me with those beautiful amber eyes, tears streaming down her face. I wanted to kiss her, hold her and never let her go. Ranger was an idiot and now she’s mine. Mine to love, mine to protect and mine to cherish. I was her second chance mate and I will not let her down.
Duke couldn’t stand it anymore and we sat on the bed to hold our mate. She took a deep breath and relaxed in my arms, sobbing into my chest. The Moon Goddess had given her to me, and I was going to protect her and love her.
“MINE!” I instinctively growled. She was MINE.