Dr. Luna
Chapter 32

Tyler stood facing off with Drake at the entrance to the village. Cedric and Kade stood at his flank as Tyler growled again to Drake.

"You have my mate here. If you won't let me pass, then bring her to me." His eyes flickered wildly as he stared the centaur down. Somewhere in this encampment was Lilly.

It had taken them days to track her down. The trail was well disguised and there was no trace of her scent. If it wasn't for the guardian's network of information, he may not have been able to replace her. Tyler scowled, the damn guardian was supposed to meet them at the entrance, but Tyler could not wait any longer for him. Not when he knew that Lilly was there. It had been too long since he last saw her, since he last held her, since he last heard her voice. She was here and he needed to see her, now!

"I'm afraid I can't release her to you. She stays here with us." Drake stood in front; behind him a wall of centaurs was lined up to face the intruder.

"She's mine. My mate." Tyler growled as he paced side to side.

"I do not care who she WAS to you. She was out alone and unprotected. You do not deserve her. I am keeping her for myself." Drake stomped his hoof and stared back at Tyler.

His eyes widened with rage. "What do you mean keep her for yourself?" Tyler was all but snarling out.

"Now, I don't think werewolves are so dumb that you don't understand what I mean by that." Drake smirked as he provoked Tyler. He knew what he was doing. He was purposely provoking him, all but daring him to fight. Tyler roared angrily and narrowed his eyes onto Drake. He wanted to kill him.

Lilly heard another angry roar that came from Tyler. She couldn't just stand there. She needed to make sure there was no fighting. She needed to make sure he was okay. The need to see him was suddenly overwhelming. She glanced over the warriors in front of her. She took in a shaky breath and then bolted. She ran through a small opening and then dashed to where she heard Tyler's roars. The sound of hooves was close behind her. She pushed with everything she had. She needed to see him.

She rounded the bend and looked down into the small valley below her. She saw rows of centaurs and in front of them was Drake. Her breath caught and she felt a small whimper leave her throat. In front of Drake was Tyler, Cedric and Kade. She looked at Tyler, her mate. He only had a pair of shorts on, showing that he had been in werewolf form. He had come for her and she felt her heart fluttering in her chest. She had not sorted through all of her feelings yet. She was still upset over what happened just before she was taken. Still, she wanted to be closer, to see him closer.

The guards were almost on her, but she was so close. The hill was steep, but it didn't stop her. Without hesitation, she plunged forward. It was now or never. She had to get as close as the barrier would allow her. She was never able to go near the tunnel opening that led to the outside; they were just on the outer part of the tunnel. She could at least get that close. She felt herself losing her footing and was suddenly airborne. She never hit the ground though. One of the guards clamped on her wrist and pulled her into his

arms.

"Thanks for catching me. Would you put me down now please?" Lilly had to try being kind first. He had just caught her from falling. The centaur looked away from her not acknowledging her request. "PUT ME DOWN!" Lilly yelled as she struggled in his arms. "Please, let me go." Lilly whimpered as she wrestled herself free. She took a few steps backwards as she faced off with the guards that had circled her.

"LILLY!" Tyler yelled hearing her voice. He could not see her through the wall of bodies, but she was close.

Drake sighed in irritation and glanced behind him. He saw Lilly standing there facing off with his four guards who had surrounded her. She was definitely a handful.

"Can I at least go see her?" Cedric asked stepping forward. If they were going to allow anyone in, it would be someone who was part fairy.

Drake eyed him curiously for a moment. "Where do your loyalties lie?"

Cedric smiled. "I'm loyal to the princess of course."

"Even over your Alpha?" Drake knew that it was normal for wolves to remain loyal to their Alpha's to a fault.

Cedric chuckled. "Easily. Her safety and happiness are my number one priority."

This seemed to have appeased Drake. "You can enter, you two mutts cannot." Drake looked at Tyler and Kade and met their gaze with a challenge.

Cedric nodded to Tyler and then crept by the centaurs cautiously. Once he got past the small army, he saw where Lilly was being trapped by more centaurs. He felt his shoulders relax with relief. He had been tense ever since she vanished.

"Now this looks like just a bit much for just one girl!" He walked up through her guards and stood facing her. She looked well. He took in her attire and inwardly laughed. Tyler was not going to be happy seeing her in that.

"Cedric!" Lilly jumped into the familiar arms wrapping her arms around him, as he did the same to her. She buried her head into his chest. It felt wonderful being in familiar arms again, even if they weren't Tyler's.

"How are you doing princess?" Cedric rubbed her back soothingly. Her eyes looked up to his and she nodded she was okay.

"They wouldn't let me leave. I didn't know if anyone was coming for me... they wouldn't let me leave. They bound me to this place so I can't leave through the tunnels." Lilly sniffled as she felt herself feeling emotional.

"Don't worry. We are here to take you home. Everything is okay now. We are bringing you home." Cedric smiled at her as he took in her delicate face. His poor princess had been through so much and was worrying. "Lilly, know that I will always come for you. No matter where you are, I promise, I will come for you." No matter what happens in the future, he never wanted her to think that she wasn't being looked for. He would always come to her aid.

Lilly had so many things she wanted to say. She was happy to see him and was touched that they had come for her. Still, she did not know how they would be able to take her. Drake had made it clear that he was not going to allow her to leave. She glanced in the distance where she knew Tyler was, beyond the barrier of centaurs. She wanted to go to him. He was so close, but she was being blocked and not able to go near him. She felt her anger rising up inside of her. Was it really necessary to block him from seeing her? Even if they did plan to keep her, why couldn't she go to him?

"Drake! Is this really necessary?" Lilly shouted towards the group of centaurs in the distance. "This is ridiculous! I'm coming up there." Lilly furrowed her brows and pushed through the centaurs.

Drake chuckled as he turned his head to the fiery young lady. She was stomping her way up to them. Drake nodded for the guards to let her pass. He had other intentions in mind. He watched as she shoved through his warriors and as she drew closer, he reached his hand out and pulled her up to him.

Tyler growled loudly as he looked at the centaur holding onto Lilly. It was the first time he had seen her in days, and he wanted to hold her. As he looked her over his eyes went dark as he took in what she was wearing... or the lack of clothes she was wearing. He could feel his little control over his anger snapping.

"Drake! What are you doing? Let go of my arm. What sort of stunt are you trying to pull here?" Lilly pulled her hand back as she stared defiantly up at Drake. He looked down at her and smirked. It became clear what his intentions were. He was trying to get Tyler to lose his temper. He was purposely provoking him into a fight.

Drake pulled Lilly closer so that she was being held tightly in his arms. Lilly heard another growl rip through Tyler's throat; she knew he was fighting for control. She looked up at Drake and then whispered quietly. "Why are you being so disrespectful towards me?" The words pierced at his heart and immediately he ended the game he was playing. He dropped his hands from her side and looked at her with apologetic eyes.

"I'm sorry... please forgive me. I was testing his self-control; I did not mean to offend you though. Please don't be upset with me." Drake was remorseful. He did not want Lilly to hate him.

"I think this situation could have been handled more tastefully, don't you?" Lilly rubbed her head which was beginning to hurt again. Her headaches have been coming on more frequently. Finally, Lilly turned around to look at Tyler and Kade. They were just a few feet in front of her. She sighed as she looked them over seeing they were okay. There was an intense silence as she met with Tyler's eyes. When she had left, they were fighting, but he still came for her. She wanted to go into his arms and take in his intoxicating scent. She couldn't make it that easy for him, though. She wasn't some lovesick puppy that would just forget everything without an apology. And he owed her an apology and an explanation. Jessica was a problem for her, too. She wanted him to know that she would not compete with Jessica. If he couldn't keep a platonic relationship with her, then she would not stay there. After a few moments of quiet, Lilly was the first to break the silence.

"It took you long enough didn't it?" Lilly smirked as she taunted Tyler playfully.

He stared at Lilly wordlessly for a moment before allowing a tired smile to rest on his lips. He was finally able to see she was okay. A wave of worry left him in that moment. She looked well and her eyes still sparkled like the emeralds they were. He wanted to hold her in his arms and to carry her away from this place. He needed her with him.

"This wasn't exactly the easiest place to replace. It took a lot of effort in order to track down her location. My guess is that your friends here never planned on you being found." Kade looked up at Drake accusingly.

"Eh, guilty." Drake shrugged not denying that they purposefully tried to make sure she couldn't be found. "To be fair though, we were making sure that she stayed safe. If we allowed her trail to be noticeable, then she could have been in danger. I'm actually surprised you found us. How did you replace us without a guardian?"

A monstrous growl was heard through the tunnel. Then, after a moment, a figure began to pop out from the darkness. A large being stepped into the light and glared at Drake. Lilly stared up in shock and noticed Drake take a nervous step backwards. "Who said they didn't have the help of a guardian?" The voice boomed out as he glared at Drake. It was more than just an intimidating glare. It was more like an authoritative challenge that Drake lowered his eyes and submitted to. He then turned his attention to Lilly and pinned his gaze onto her.