[A/N - Quadruple update cuz I bet there are some weenies that skipped chapter 32 🤧]

"If I could turn back the clock, I'd make sure the light defeated the dark. I'd spend every hour, of every day keeping you safe."
~Calum Scott, 'You Are The Reason'

~~~

*Type's POV*

I get the strongest sense of deja-vu sitting next to Tharn in a room full of medical equipment.

It reminds me of when Thorn was attacked, and Tharn sat by his bedside for weeks.

Only now, it's Lhong on Thorn's bed, fighting for his life.

Although, I'm not sure how much he's really fighting. It's been three weeks, and he hasn't shown any signs of waking up. We had thought he might a little over a week ago when Thorn unfortunately hit his heat. Lhong began to stir, but he eventually settled back down as if it never happened.

We had to lock Thorn in his room during his heat, despite how much he screamed at us to let him out, to let him go to Lhong. But we couldn't risk his enhanced scent attracting an unmated wolf. Those three days were the hardest for all of us as Thorn sobbed behind his door.

After Tharn had told me to get his father when we were outside the bowling alley, I ran as fast as I possibly could. I frantically relayed what was happening to Thanayong, who immediately shifted and barked orders for a group of warrior wolves to follow us.

Our wolves were able to overpower the Silver Sun wolves, as most of them had already turned their backs on Zen. Thanayong saw the damage Zen had done to his own son and took matters into his own hands, bringing Zen to a swift end.

I can't say I'm sorry, mainly because Zen creeped me out long before we found out how evil he was. The only thing I'm worried about is how Lhong will react when he wakes up.

....If he wakes up.

"Thorn," Ampha lightly shakes Thorn's shoulders as he stays slumped over on the bed, his hand tightly clasping Lhong's. "You need to eat something."

"I can't," Thorn rasps. "I need to be here. What if he wakes up and he's all alone? He'd be so scared and confused... I can't leave him."

"Honey, you really need to eat," Ampha pushes. "It's not good if you're weak too. You need to stay strong for Lhong. He wouldn't want you to neglect yourself."

"No!" Thorn shouts, tears springing to his eyes. "I'm not leaving him alone!"

Ampha looks over at me and Tharn with pleading eyes.

"We'll stay with him," I tell Thorn. "He won't be alone. We'll be here. We were friends for years. He'll be safe with us. I promise. Go eat and get some rest. I'll let you know the second anything changes."

Thorn glances at his mate on the bed, his expression torn. I understand. If I were in his place, I wouldn't want to leave either.

Ampha squeezes his hand, making Thorn release a shaky breath and he nods his head. He stands up, wobbling a moment before regaining his balance and following his mom downstairs to the kitchen.

Tharn has been silent, sitting back in the chair with his eyes locked on Lhong. Though his face remains blank, his pain is clearly communicated through our bond. Tharn and Lhong may have a rocky history, but that doesn't change the fact that they're friends. Tharn cares about Lhong, as his friend and as his brother's mate.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly. Tharn breaks his stare and turns his attention towards me.

"Huh?" He says dumbly before blinking and shaking his head. "Oh yeah, I'm okay. I think. This is just... a lot."

"I know," I murmur, taking his hand in mine.

We sit in silence for a while, monitoring Lhong as he remains in a slumber-like state. His wounds were too severe to close on their own, and required the intervention of our pack doctors. He's mostly healed now, save for the scars in the shape of large claws on his throat.

Tum and Tar had returned to the Silver Sun Pack shortly after our showdown with Zen. Tum informed their pack of what had happened, including the previous attack on Thorn and the recent one on his own son. The wolves were stunned to say the least, but most of them are now showing their support for Lhong, waiting for him to wake up and take his rightful place as their leader.

Tharn stands and heads for the window, pulling back the curtains and opening the blinds.

"What are you doing?" I ask curiously.

"There's a full moon tonight," Tharn answers. "Maybe... maybe the Moon will give him the extra strength he needs to finally wake up."

"Do you really think that will help?"

"I'm not positive, but it doesn't hurt to try," Tharn sighs.

He sits back down next to me, taking my hand in his. His thumb strokes my knuckles soothingly. I rest my head on his shoulder, breathing in his calming scent.

An hour barely passes before Thorn returns, taking his place by Lhong's side.

"I thought you were going to rest after you ate," I note aloud.

"I did," Thorn response flatly. "I ate in under five minutes and took a longer nap than I wanted. But now I'm back, so you guys don't have to stay here."

"Thorn," Tharn says. "We're not here because we have to be. We're here because we want to be. We want to be here for you and Lhong. You're both important to us."

Thorn's expression softened as exhaustion floods his face. "I know. I'm sorry for snapping. But... can I have some time alone with him? Please?"

I stand without argument and tug Tharn's hand. He studies Thorn for a second longer before standing and following me out the door. We head next door to our house, immediately going to the bedroom and flopping together on the bed.

I snuggle in close to Tharn's chest, wrapping my arms around him. He does the same to me, holding me close as if he's afraid I'll disappear.

"I don't know what I would do if I lost you," I sniffle into his shirt. Tharn's hand rubs up and down my back slowly, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head.

"You won't ever lose me," he promises. "News flash, but you're stuck with me for life. Deal with it."

I crack a smile and bury my face in the crook of his neck, breathing him in. We remain tangled together as we drift to sleep, thankful that we still have each other.

***

"What the fuck, why?" I groan in annoyance when the blare of a cellphone wakes me up.

It's dark, so I know several hours have passed since we fell asleep. I check the time and see that it's just passed one o'clock in the morning.

"Type, answer your fucking phone," Tharn grumbles, his face buried in his pillow.

"It's your phone, asshole," I retort, shoving the device in his hands.

Tharn pulls himself up, his hair sticking in every direction. He rubs his sleepy eyes before reading the caller ID. Confusion replaces sleepiness as he answers his phone.

"Mom? What is it?"

He silently listens as Ampha rambles frantically over the other line. Tharn's eyes widen, now fully awake.

"We'll be right there," he says before hanging up the call.

"What's going on?" I ask as Tharn climbs out of bed to get dressed.

"It's Lhong. He's awake."

***

We rush upstairs to Thorn's room, finding the door already open and Tharn's parents waiting inside. Thorn is sitting on the bed next to Lhong, who is propped up with countless pillows. He sees us walking in, and he weakly smiles. Relief floods both of us at the sight of Lhong awake and alert.

"Hey—" Lhong starts in a hoarse voice before coughing. Thorn scrambles to hand him a glass of water and pats his back.

"Don't try to talk just yet," Thorn tells him. "Just take it easy for now."

Lhong nods, slowly sipping on his glass of water. He opens his mouth again to speak, but stops himself. An idea pops into my head, and I jog down to Tharn's office to grab a blank notebook and a pen. I head back to the room, handing the supplies to Lhong. He smiles gratefully at me before writing in the notebook.

How long was I out? Lhong writes.

"Three weeks," Thorn answers, and Lhong's eyes widen. "Tum told your pack everything that happened. The pack is waiting for you to return and lead them as their Alpha."

Gold flashes in Lhong's eyes before returning to normal. He flips the page of the notebook and starts writing again.

What happened? He asks this time.

The five of us exchange nervous glances, feeling hesitant to tell Lhong about his father when he just woke up. Lhong senses our concern and his frown deepens.

Just tell me. Is it about my dad? He writes.

Thanayong nods at Thorn, who takes a shaky breath and asks Lhong if he remembers what happened that day at the bowling alley. Lhong remembers his dad being there, and nearly ripping his throat out, but that's it. He wrote down that he faintly recalls his dad shouting, although he's unsure what it was about.

Thorn takes both of Lhong's hands in his before delivering the news: his father was killed by Thanayong after Zen tried to kill him.

Lhong's pales, and his hands begin to shake. Thorn tightens his hold on Lhong's hands in an attempt to steady him.

"It's okay," Thorn says softly. "It's okay to be sad. Zen was a horrible, mean person that did nothing but hurt those around him, but he was still your dad. Don't feel bad for grieving him."

The dam breaks as tears flood down Lhong's face. He wraps his arms around Thorn's waist and buries his face in his mate's chest. Thorn embraces Lhong, using one hand to rub his back and the other to pet his hair. Thorn rocks Lhong back and forth as he cries softly.

I nudge Tharn, suggesting that we give them privacy. Tharn and his parents follow me out into the hall, and we softly close the door behind us.

"How did he finally wake up?" Tharn asks once we're back downstairs.

"I'm unsure," Thanayong answers. "We didn't see any changes in him up until now, so I don't know what was different about tonight."

"Full moon," I say, making everyone look at me. "Tharn said tonight was a full moon. He could've drawn extra strength from the Moon Goddess, enough to wake him up."

Tharn smiles at me, touched that I agree with his theory.

"That's very possible," Thanayong agrees with a nod. "You two should get some more rest. It's been an exhausting several weeks."

Not feeling up to arguing, we bid goodbye to his parents before heading back home. Tharn scoops me up in his arms when we reach the door, and I automatically wrap my arms around his neck.

He carries me inside before gently setting me on the bed, crawling in behind me and snuggling me close.

"I love you, Type," he murmurs sleepily in my ear.

"I love you, Tharn. Forever."

~~~

Not the last chapter, but getting closer!
Still got some more smut and a cute little surprise! (Not mpreg so don't even go there lol. Yeah that's right, I see your comments 👁)

After this book is done, I'm going to write extras for each couple with their stories. Kinda like a one shot for each couple

Comment next to each couple to let me know who's point of view you'd prefer. I'll take it into consideration, but the decision is ultimately mine

Thorn & Lhong

Tum & Tar

Team & Champ

Vote it up! Thanks guys!
-Gumbie