Chapter 12: Between Awakenings

The Elder departed. The Alpha remained. The pack held its breath. The Luna began to stir. And beneath the silence, destiny waited to rise. Luca woke up the next day, which was Monday. He realised that his mate had already been there for a week, and that Gabriel was leaving after breakfast to go home. After grabbing a change of clothes and taking a shower, Luca went to the bathroom. He then came out dressed and ready for the day. He went to Rosa's bed, kissed her forehead, and said, "Good morning." After spending some time with his mate, Luca headed to the packhouse for breakfast and a meeting afterwards. He arrived about ten minutes later and entered the dining room, where everyone was seated at the table, including Gabriel, the guest of honour. Luca greeted everyone, and they returned his greeting. He then reminded those present about the pack meetings scheduled after breakfast. They responded, "Yes, Alpha!" The kitchen staff served the food fifteen minutes later. Luca allowed Gabriel to serve himself first, then it was his turn, followed by Stefano and Constantino. Afterwards, the rest of the pack members helped themselves. Everyone chatted and ate quietly. Once everyone finished, Luca dismissed them, but only after they expressed their gratitude to the kitchen staff for the lovely meal. Luca and the others were still finishing their own food. When they finally finished, they headed to the meeting hall for the meeting and to say goodbye to the Elder. They arrived at the meeting hall five minutes late. Everyone else was already seated and waiting for the meeting to start. Stefano, Constantino, Giovanni, Lorenzo, Tommaso, and the twins, Riccardo and Dominic Vittori, stood behind their Alpha, with Gabriel seated on the podium. Luca said, "Welcome, everyone. I called this meeting to say farewell to Elder Gabriel as he returns home. We wish him a safe journey," and his pack members clapped and cheered. Luca continues, "Gabriel will be back when our Luna has fully recovered and needs to help her adjust and add more information about our way of life when she finally wakes up. Please put your hands together in thanks for Elder Gabriel Lombardi," he asks his pack members, who get to their feet, clap, and cheer even louder. Gabriel says, "Thank you, Luca, for those kind words; even though I'm leaving today, you will all be in my thoughts and prayers, especially your precious Luna, whom I hope recovers quickly. Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for your hospitality; you made me feel at home, and I truly appreciate it. As your Alpha said, I will be back and will keep you updated on Luna's recovery. I'm not saying goodbye, but I will see you all later, as I will be returning. Thanks," he said to them. Luca then informs the pack that Gabriel will see their Luna before leaving. One senior member rises and says to the Elder, "Elder Gabriel, my name is Marcos Caruso. We wish you a safe journey home on behalf of the pack and me. Is it alright with our Alpha?" He looks over at Luca, who nods in agreement. He continues, "You would like to think of this pack as your second home. Please call me Marco," he asks the Elder while holding his breath and waiting for the Elder's reply. Gabriel responded to him and the pack members by saying, "Marco and the Ferrera Pack, it would be my honour to make this pack my second home, as you made me feel like I am already home. Thank you; I am grateful for the kind words," he said to them. They all clapped and cheered. Luca replied to the pack members, "If that's everything, then you can get on with your duties," he told them. The pack left the meeting hall, but not before saying farewell to Elder Gabriel, who farewelled them. Luca then took Gabriel to the pack hospital to say farewell to Rosa and the two doctors. They arrived at the hospital ten minutes later. As they entered Rosa's room through the door, they found the two doctors waiting for them. The Elder asked, "How is she?" Cristian replied, "She's doing great, Gabriel and Luca; it shouldn't be much longer before her scent comes through once the scent blockers wear off and are out of her system," he explained. Gabriel replied, "That's good to hear," he said. Arianna told him, "We hope you've enjoyed your stay even under the circumstances and would like to return," she asked him. Gabriel answered, "Yes, I've enjoyed my time here even under the circumstances and will be back. You made this pack my second home, as you made me feel like I was home." They both extended their hands to shake with the Elder, who then shook theirs in return as they farewelled each other and left the room, leaving the Elder and Luca alone with Luna. Gabriel then turned to Luca and said, "Well, I'd better get moving," he said. Luca replied, "Okay, let me see you out." Gabriel responded, "Thanks, I appreciate it." Luca said, "No worries," as they walked out of the room, but not before Gabriel took one last look at Rosa. Then, they both left. As Luca walked with the Elder, he asked, "I forgot to ask you how you got here. Did you drive, or were you driven?" Gabriel replied, "No, I drove here; why?" Luca said, "Nothing, just wondered, that's all," he added. Gabriel replied, "I don't like to put anyone out. I prefer to drive myself. I can still drive." Luca responded, "No, it's good that you can still get around on your own; you like being independent, and I'm hoping that I will be independent when I reach a certain age," he said cheekily. Gabriel laughed at that, and so did Luca. As they walked back to the front of the packhouse, the pack members came over and shook his hand, wishing him a safe journey home and an early return. Gabriel thanked them for their kind words and said he would be back soon. They kept walking until they reached the Elder's car, which was packed and parked in front of the packhouse. Gabriel shook hands with Stefano, his brother Constantino, Giovanni, Lorenzo, and Tommaso, thanking them for their quick thinking and for helping Luna after the attack. Giovanni replied, "It was an honour to help our Luna, and we will continue to be for our Luna." He said this on behalf of the others, who nodded in agreement. Luca was so proud of all his pack members. Gabriel then turned to Luca as Luca held out his hand to shake the Elder's hand, but pulled him in for a hug and then said, "Hang in there, Luca won't be long now," to him. Luca answered, "I will, Gabriel." After they finished hugging, the Elder headed towards his car. He opened the door, got in, and closed it behind him. Then he rolled down the window and said to Luca, "I will be back after I hear from you about your mate's condition. No matter what time of day or night, I am here." Luca responded, "Thanks, Gabriel," as the Elder began starting his car. "No worries, Luca," he replied while they shook hands through the car window. "I'll see you all soon," he told the pack, and the Elder responded, "Yes, we will see you soon." Then, the Elder drove away from the pack grounds while Luca and the others waved goodbye. Gabriel extended his arm out of the car window and waved back. They watched his car go down the driveway, disappearing around the corner and out of their sight. Luca then turned around and told the others it was time to get back to their duties. They replied, "Yes, Alpha!" Luca informed them he would be with his mate until lunchtime and headed toward the hospital. He arrived twenty minutes later, went to Rosa's room, and started on the paperwork on his table. The day went quickly, and it was time for lunch. Luca stopped at some paperwork, then went to the packhouse and the dining room. He washed his hands in the extra sink in the mudroom before heading into the dining room, where everyone else sat at the table. The kitchen staff served the food fifteen minutes later. Luca, Stefano, and Constantino served themselves first, then everyone else helped themselves with a plate of food. After everyone finished eating, they spent their time fulfilling their duties before the afternoon training session. When dinnertime came around, Luca had completed his first pile of paperwork—three hours later, which seemed to grow bigger each day. As Luca headed towards the training grounds, he saw that everyone was already there, with both trainers and their teams just starting their training session. Luca joined in and had a great time, enjoying himself with his pack members. After practice, they all went to shower and change for dinner. Once cleaned up, they headed to the dining room for dinner within ten minutes. Everyone served themselves after Luca, Stefano, and Constantino made their plates. After dinner, everyone went their separate ways before settling in for the night. In contrast, Luca and the others went to his office to catch up on paperwork. Luca and the others entered his office and sat down on the leather chairs around the desk as they discussed the pending matters that needed attention. Two hours later, they finished their discussion. Stefano and Constantino then bid him goodnight, and Luca responds in kind. They leave Luca's office while he returns to the hospital. When he arrives, he sees both doctors checking on Rosa. They had finished their rounds and came to check on Luna. As they examined Luna Rosa, Luca went into the bathroom and changed, getting ready for bed. Once he had changed, he exited the bathroom and sat on his bed, waiting for them to finish. Arianna told him she was doing well and shouldn't wait much longer. Luca thanked the doctors, and Cristian agreed as she wrote their notes in her chart. Arianna told him they would see him the next day when they checked on her again. Luca then thanks them and wishes them both a good night. The doctors both say the same thing to him and leave the room. Luca then went over to her bed and kissed her cheek while caressing her other cheek. Then, she said goodnight. After spending five minutes with Rosa, he returned to his bed and slipped between the sheets. As he got comfortable on the bed, he thanked the Moon Goddess. Luca fell into a gentle sleep, drifting off as his head hit the pillow with a big smile.