One Girl Two Mates
Chapter 28

When I opened my eyes I was shocked to see the forest around me. It was like everything was glowing. As I slowly sat up I took in my surroundings. There were birds singing, deer grazing in the grass. An overwhelming amount of peace seeped into my bones. This

place was like nowhere I'd ever been to before. I smiled as a group of monarch butterflies flew around me.

"Are you having fun, Liliana?" I heard a woman speak, her voice was so musical and so familiar. I turned to see a woman with long silver hair that fell down to her knees. Her skin was as pale as the moon and her dress was a beautiful, rich blue color. Her eyes were silver like her hair, they held such warmth and care.

"Goddess..." I mumbled, staring at her in awe.

"You may call me Selene, my child." She said, smiling down at me.

"Where am I?" I asked as I looked around at the beautiful forest.

"You're in my realm." She frowned slightly and slowly the memories came back. I held my hand up to my chest, remembering Gwen stabbing me.

"I died..." I mumbled, but instead of grief, I felt peace.

"That you did, but it's not your time, my child." She smiled as she came to sit beside me. She looked so elegant and regal.

"What does that mean?" My brows furrowed at her words.

"You will live a long, happy life." She gently ran her fingers through my hair, like a mother would.

"But I'm here, I died." Her words were confusing me.

"And I'm going to send you back, but first your spirit must rest awhile. You need to recharge."

"What about Marjorie?" I asked, hope blooming in my chest.

"Marjorie is not my child, I believe it was her time to go." She gave me a sad smile as she stroked my cheek. I felt such warmth and peace being in this place. "What if I stayed?" I asked tentatively.

"Then your children wouldn't be born." I gasped as I looked up at her.

"Am I pregnant?" I asked, cupping my flat tummy, but she shook her head.

"Not right now, but you will give birth to two beautiful girls that will go on to do important things for your world." Her words were cryptic, but her shining eyes held honesty. "Rest now, my child." She said to me, I relaxed into her hold, letting her play with my hair and just enjoying the atmosphere. RAFAEL POV

"LILIANA." Diego and I screamed in unison. I surged forward, towards my mate and the redheaded girl who stabbed her. I gently lifted Lili into my lap, brushing her hair out of her face. The redheaded girl had pulled the knife back out causing blood to pool out of my mate. A roar tore from my chest, the forest floor shook with my grief. I watched barely aware of Diego killing the rouge and the redhead. I didn't even lift my eyes as he dropped to the floor next to us.

"She looks so peaceful." His voice shook as he spoke.

"Like she's just sleeping." I finished his sentence. The feeling of the severed mate bond throbbed in my chest. I now know how my dad felt when my mom was killed. If it wasn't for Diego I'd take that silver blade and ram it into my own chest. I couldn't do that, I had to stay alive for him. He felt my emotions and sought out my hand to interlock our fingers. I barely noticed the tears that streamed down my face or the sobs that rocked my body. "She didn't deserve this." I choked on the words.

"She was sweet and kind and innocent." Diego's hold on my hand tightened at my words.

"She was innocent!" I roared loudly, the ground shaking beneath us once again. Diego and I stayed rooted in place as the clearing filled with wolves. Both of our Betas and Gammas took control on cleaning up the bodies. They barked out orders and people moved around us, but the three of us were frozen. I barely heard Edith's whimpers as they took away Marjorie's body to prepare for a ceremony. Soon it was just Diego and I with Lili across our laps. Her eyes were closed and lips slightly parted, dried blood clung to her lips. I finally looked up when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Rafael, it's time." I growled as I stared deep into Diego's golden eyes.

"I know, but we have to." He placed his hand over my heart, his eyes were red rimmed and swollen. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying and failing to catch hints of her scent. Her beautiful minty garden scent no longer clung to her body. I clenched my teeth, trying to fight back the fresh wave of tears. Just as I was about to lay Lili onto the stretcher they had prepared for her, her entire body started to glow. Her body gently lifted out of my hold, levitating three feet off of the forest floor. Diego and I briefly shared a look of confusion before we turned our attention back to our mate. We watched in shock as the wound on her chest closed itself. She levitated for a while and we held our breaths waiting for what would happen next. A choked noise left Diego's lips when the most beautiful sound filled our ears, Lili's heartbeat. She slowly drifted back down to my lap, a sigh escaped her lips. "Someone get a doctor!" Diego yelled as he started barking out orders.

"It wasn't my time." The words spilled out of her red stained lips and I was never so happy in my life. I wished I could kiss the Goddess myself for the beautiful gift she granted me.

"Thank you, my Goddess, thank you." I choked out as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. Lili tried speaking again, but it just turned into a coughing fit.

"Shh baby, don't talk, we'll get you some help." As I spoke the words, medical staff arrived at our side. I watched as they gently loaded Lili up on a gurney.

"Rafael, Diego..." She called out with her hand outstretched. Diego was still barking out orders and directing people.

"I'm here baby, he's here too." I said soothingly as I took her hand in mine.

"Diego, she needs us." I called out over my shoulder, he gave me a nod as he finished up what he was doing. He jogged towards us, taking her other hand in his. We loaded up in the ambulance and headed to Diego's pack since it was closer. Feeling the reformed bond sent tingles across my body and I knew Diego was feeling the same. It's going to be okay, my Lili is back.

LILIANA POV

I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes. I flinched as the bright, fluorescent lights blinded me. My head was pounding with the worst headache I've ever felt. My body ached all over, especially in the center of my chest. There was a strange beeping sound coming from my side. I felt warmth and tingles in both of my hands.

"Lili?" I heard a deep rumbling voice say.

"Rafael?" I choked out, my throat felt dry and scratchy.

"Mi amor, we're here." I heard from my left side.

"Diego?" Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.

"It's so bright." I groaned. The warmth in my right hand disappeared for a moment and the lights went out.

"Is that better, baby?" Rafael asked and I hummed in response. My eyes slowly peeled open, struggling to adjust to the room around me. Diego and Rafael's concerned, but smiling faces greeted my vision.

"Water, please." I rasped out and the warmth in my left hand disappeared. Soon I felt a cool glass press against my chapped lips. The cold water running down my sore throat felt amazing. "Thank you." I whispered in a low voice.

"Where am I?" I asked, squeezing their hands.

"You're in the hospital, mi amor." Diego replied, running his fingers through my hair.

"How are you feeling?" Rafael asked, stroking my cheek.

"Sleepy." I hummed, my eyes suddenly felt heavy.

"Go ahead and sleep, mi amor." Diego said, brushing his lips against my hand. I felt a smile tug at my lips as I slowly drifted off again.