Luna's Rejected Vengeful Mate
Luna’s Rejected Vengeful Mate Chapter 57

Italy

Massimo

After finalising the details of my trip I informed my parents of my departure, not telling them that I had found Elisa’s whereabouts. I didn’t want to worry them since Elisa was in danger.

I gave Lucas my last instructions, asked him to take good care of my parents in my absence and left for the airport with Fabrizio.

I knew that Elisa would be upset when she saw me. How long had she been gone? Her pregnancy should be evident by now. How did she manage as a human carrying a werewolf’s baby? I racked my brain to think of ways to apologise to her for my previous behaviour. Would she accept my apology and help, though?

Elisa was a strong-willed and independent woman. Fabrizio’s description of her in the beginning was correct. She had proven that to me when she disappeared without a trace. When Fabrizio told me she had decided to keep the baby at any cost, my respect for her rose to the highest level.

“Let’s hope she will accept us, Massimo. It’s not a bad idea to have a Luna so strong and decisive,” Onyx interrupted my thoughts.

“So, now she would make a good choice for us, Onyx? What happened to we don’t want anything to do with another human? Do you realise that your first statement after I met with Elisa was one of the reasons I treated her that way?” I confronted my wolf.

“Don’t put all the blame on me, Massimo. We were both negative at first. So, part of Elisa’s escape is your fault,” Onyx grumpily replied and blocked me.

I couldn’t blame my wolf. He knew me better than anyone else and he had spoken the truth. My pained experience made me reject any kind of bond with human females.

Sensing my worries, Fabrizio patted my shoulder and smiled.

“She won’t make it easy on you, Massimo. Be honest with her and tell her how you feel. She needs to trust you, my boy. If Elisa believes in your words, she will cooperate, enabling you to protect her from those who want to harm her.”

He talked as if he were talking about a stranger, not his daughter. I admired his strength. I knew that deep down; he felt hurt and devastated by his daughter’s deception and cruelty.

We boarded the plane and after taking our seats I closed my eyes. I hadn’t slept since we visited Teresa’s apartment. The long journey would be a good chance for me to sleep and recharge my batteries. I needed all the strength I could get.

Elisa was not my only concern. I had to confront Teresa, whom I had thought dead for so many years. And I had to stop her from harming Elisa and my baby. I planned to do that with Blake in her father’s presence. Hell, even if I was a ruthless Alpha, that hurt my feelings. I was unsure how Fabrizio would react in the end. What if he chose to support Teresa in the end? How would I react?

“Stop thinking so much, Massimo. Get some rest. Once the game of survival begins, no one can stop its course,” Onyx advised me and I followed my wolf’s suggestion.

I slept the whole time and woke up by the pilot’s announcement that we had landed. Following Fabrizio out of the plane, we headed to the airport exit. Lucas, Blake’s Beta, waited there to pick us up.

After the formalities, we enter Luca’s car and headed to Blake’s pack.

“How is everything?” was my first question, and Lucas cast a glance at me through the rear-view mirror.

“Everything is fine. Elisa is with our Luna in the packhouse. They haven’t left since Luna and our Alpha returned from downtown today, informing me of the situation and explaining their plan to me.”

“Their plan?” Fabrizio asked, but Lucas didn’t reply.

“Alpha Hunter will inform you of everything once we get to the packhouse,” was the only answer he gave Fabrizio, and he then drove in silence.

I knew Lucas was a reliable Beta, and I smiled at his reaction. I expected nothing less from him.

We arrived in the Dark Moon pack, and Lucas took us to Blake’s office. My friend and associate had been waiting for us there. As soon as we entered, he left his seat and came to greet us.

“Was the flight all right?” he asked after we took our seats.

“Yeah, it was okay. Did you replace anything?” I cut to the chase, keeping Lucas’s words in mind.

“Yes, I did.” Blake hesitated, glancing at Fabrizio.

“Blake, you can speak freely, son. I know that what my daughter is planning is hideous and I would never allow her to harm Elisa and the baby. You and Massimo have my full support,” Fabrizio told Blake and his voice was full of determination.

Blake and I exchanged glances, and he nodded in acknowledgement.

“We found where Teresa lives and who she is working with,” he replied and gave us a rundown of the situation. Fabrizio got paler as Blake continued to relay Natalia’s plan for us.

“I disagreed with my wife at first, but the more I think about it, it’s best for us to keep an eye on Teresa’s movements. While Drake and Natalia handle Teresa, we can focus on Ace and his actions. I called Dylan and he is on his way here as we speak. He will supply us with the antidote for wolfsbane and silver. We all need to take it before taking any action,” Blake explained.

“Antidote?” Fabrizio seemed lost and Blake smiled at him.

“Wolfsbane and silver are used to take us werewolves down in a battle, Fabrizio. The antidote will protect us in case Ace wants to use it on any of us,” he explained and Fabrizio nodded.

“Blake, I need to talk to Elisa. I have to clear the misunderstanding between us,” I told my friend.

“I can call her to my office. It’s best if you solve your issues before dinner, Massimo. She should be in her room resting. I know, because Natalia is still asleep. Elisa and my wife need the extra sleep in their situation,” he explained.

His eyes changed colour. He had been mind-linking with someone. A few minutes later, his eyes went back to normal.

“She is awake. She should be here in a while,” he informed me.

“Blake, can you and Fabrizio stay with us? Until she gets over the first shock, I mean?” I felt nervous facing the mother of my child after the way I had treated her.

“Sure, no problem,” Blake replied, smiling.

I walked to the balcony door and stepped outside. I needed some fresh air to clear my mind and fill my empty lungs. I had the feeling that I had exhaled all the air in them.

A knock on the door made me turn and face the pregnant Elisa. Her rounded tummy was big and made Elisa walk funnily, trying to stabilise her weight. I smiled at the thought.

I looked up at her glowing face. She was more beautiful than I remembered; pregnancy suited her.

Elisa didn’t notice my presence. When she saw Fabrizio, she screamed in joy and rushed to his arms.

“Fabbi, I missed you so much. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” she said, tears of joy running down her face.

Fabrizio held her in his arms, caressing her hair in a fatherly way. My eyes filled with tears knowing the battle raging inside him.

“I didn’t want to miss this,” he teased her and patted her back.

“Come, sit here with me, Lisa. How have you been?” he asked her while leading her to the sofa. I realised his intention. We wanted her near him when she saw me. He was worried about her reaction when she laid eyes on me. Fabrizio was once again protecting Elisa.

“I am relaxed, Fabbi. Coming with Natalia was the best decision I ever made after getting pregnant. And I got Luna Alison’s help with the baby. So, everything is going well,” Elisa replied. If someone had punched me with all his strength, the pain in my chest would be less than what I felt at that moment. Someone else had helped her to get over her pregnancy difficulties instead of me, her baby’s father.

“Lisa, I didn’t come alone, cara,” Fabrizio said and she looked at him curiously.

“Who came with you?” she asked and I entered the room.

“Hello, Elisa,” I said and she paled.

“Massimo?” her voice came out as a whisper and Fabrizio held her in his arms, preventing her from jumping up.

“Lisa, Massimo and you should talk, sweetie. Blake and I will leave you two alone. Is that okay?” Fabrizio asked and Elisa nodded not looking at me.

An awkward silence followed Blake’s and Fabrizio’s departure. Elisa sat there, her hands on her round belly in a protective way. I walked over and took the opposite seat. It was best to keep a distance from her until we cleared things between us.

“Don’t scare her off, Massimo. She needs to trust us. I can feel the baby’s heartbeat. It has accelerated because the mother is upset,” Onyx warned me.

“What are you doing here, Massimo?” Elisa was upset and wasn’t hiding it.

“I wanted to see you, Elisa. I looked everywhere for you after I came back from my trip to the U.S. Fabrizio kept your location a secret from me. As soon as I knew where you were, I rushed to you,” I replied calmly, my eyes not leaving hers.

“See me for what? To ask me to abort the baby? Too late for that, Massimo. The baby is growing just fine without your help so there’s no need for you to worry. You can keep living your life. My baby and I won’t disturb you,” she said stubbornly.

I stood up. Keeping my distance was not a good idea after all. I sat close to her and held her hands in mine. Elisa tried to resist my hold, but she was no match for my strength. I pulled her into my arms and whispered in her ear, breathing the sweet scent of her hair.

“I just want to talk to you, Lisa. I need to explain. I would never ask you to abort our baby. Never. Your pregnancy took me by surprise and the way I reacted was foolish. I admit it. I meant to clear things up with you after I returned from the U.S. but you were already gone, Elisa. I asked you to wait for me, didn’t I?”

I could feel her heartbeat accelerate. She trembled in my arms. Holding her tighter, I rubbed her back in circular movements and kept whispering.

“I don’t know when, but I fell in love with you, Lisa. and that was before I knew you were pregnant with my baby. I was just too stupid to admit it. I let my previous fears overcome my feelings for you and I am sorry. You are a strong woman and I admire that. You would make a great Luna, Elisa. My Luna. Would you give me the chance to prove my love to you?” There! I finally said it.

I waited for Elisa’s reply or at least a reaction on her behalf, but nothing came in response. Her hair hid her face as I looked at her. I let my fingers run through her silky, dark long hair and removed it to see her face. My fingers were wet. Elisa had been crying silently the whole time I talked to her.

“Elisa?” I called her name, wiping her teary face. She looked up, her eyes full of complaint.

“f**k!” I cursed kissing her teary eyes.

“Baby, I am sorry! Can you forgive this a*****e and give him another chance? Please!” I begged her, holding her tighter.

“You are a prick, Massimo, do you know that?” she cursed me through her tears.

“Did I have to fly to California for you to admit your feelings for me? I left everything behind. My house, my job, my family, Massimo. Everything,” she accused.

“I know, Lisa. I know how wrong I was. If I could turn back time I would do things differently, believe me,” I begged, holding her in my arms.

“Please forgive me, sweetie. I promise to never make you cry again,” I whispered, kissing her forehead and placing my hand on her swollen belly. The baby kicked my hand and I pulled back, surprised, my hand in the air. My reaction was so funny that Elisa started laughing between her tears.

“Daddy is here baby,” she whispered placing my hand back on her belly and smiling at me.

“One more chance, Massimo. If you mess up, you can forget about me and our baby,” she threatened and I pulled her in my arms, capturing her lips with a k**s, tasting her sweetness. It felt so right for me. It felt like home.

I pushed her back on the sofa and kissed her hungrily, trying not to hurt her. She seemed fragile, but she was strong. I knew that well. Still, I was afraid of hurting her or the baby.

A knock on the door interrupted us and looking up, I saw Blake at the door.

“Have you lovebirds patched things up?” he teased, seeing Elisa in my arms and I smiled.

“Good. Natalia and Fabrizio are in the dining room waiting for us. Shall we join them?” he asked, and I helped Elisa up, holding her hand.

We followed Blake and soon we entered a spacious room, where Fabrizio and a pregnant woman, Natalia, had been standing by the window, talking.

The scent of vanilla filled my nostrils and cold sweat run down my body. I started breathing heavily and Onyx growled inside my mind, trying to come out.

Still holding Elisa’s hand, a loud growl escaped my mouth.

“Mate!”

Both Fabrizio and Natalia looked up and I saw terror in Natalia’s eyes before she said “Mate” as well.

A louder growl behind me had me turn that way and Blake’s punch hit my face, throwing me to the floor.

“She is MINE,” he growled and came my way, his fist ready to punch me again.

“I guess my great-grandmother is in the mood to play again,” I heard Dylan say before jumping between me and Blake to separate us.

What the f**k did he mean? I thought before Blake’s fist landed on my face again.