Marking

Drake's POV:

I stood at the threshold of the cottage, my thoughts swirling in a storm of confusion and guilt. The weight of the decision I'd just made pressed heavily on my shoulders, making it difficult to breathe. I couldn't tear my mind away from the image of Leila lying on that bed, her body trembling from the effects of the heat coursing through her veins. But the knowledge that Nelly was in labor, about to bring my child into the world, kept pulling me back to the pack house, demanding my presence.

"Goddess," I whispered, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "What the hell am I supposed to do?"

Gile, my wolf, was pacing restlessly in my mind, his agitation mirroring my own. He was conflicted, torn between the primal urge to protect and comfort our mate and the deep-rooted instinct to ensure the safety of our offspring. His growls echoed in my head, a constant reminder of the turmoil we were both facing.