Shattered Bonds: A Second Chance Mate - Chapter 61: Chapter 61

The late morning sun cast golden hues across the garden, shimmering through the dew-speckled petals of the rare blue roses. It had been days since I was strong enough to walk this far, but today, I finally stepped into the garden again with Francesco by my side.
His warm hand rested gently on my back, guiding me slowly across the stone path. My legs still felt a little weak, but the fresh air and sweet scent of flowers helped clear the lingering fog in my head.
"Mario's here?" I asked, frowning.
Francesco gave a slight nod. "We can't take a chance they get to him first."
I paused for a second, heart tightening at the thought. "He mentioned his family..."
"Yeah," Francesco sighed, his tone heavy. "His little brother and sister were kidnapped. He said they were all he had left. The rogues used that against him."
My fists clenched involuntarily. "Cowards."
"That's Luca," he muttered, jaw tight. "He'll do anything to gain control... even involve innocents. But we still need to get to the truth."
I nodded, my throat thick. Luca wasn’t just a cruel leader; he was a manipulator. The worst kind. He used people’s desperation against them.
"So... Mario’s staying at my old apartment?"
Francesco nodded. "Same floor. But your room is still yours, in case you want to visit or study with your human friends."
A smile touched my lips. "Thanks for understanding."
He looked down at me with a small smile before opening the garden gate and letting me step through first.
We made our way to the stone bench in the center, the familiar spot surrounded by blooming blue roses. My breath hitched slightly, overwhelmed by their beauty. I had missed this place. It was peaceful, like time had frozen just for us.
"I’ll take you there when you're stronger," Francesco promised, referring to the apartment. I nodded, grateful.
While we sat, I brought up something that had been tugging at me since I woke up.
"Francesco, I found another of Anastasia’s books."
He blinked in surprise. "What book?"
"It’s about magic... potions, enchantments. She hid it in the manor."
His brows furrowed. "I never knew she had anything like that, just know she loves being in the library and I allow her since I thought she’s human."
"Yeah, no one know," I added gently. "Everyone thought she just liked the library and this garden... but she had secrets that she was a witch."
His face paled slightly, caught between shock and grief. "I still didn’t know how to feel about that."
I looked toward the far corner of the garden—the shadowy patch partly hidden by overgrown ivy. I remembered the place from the vision she had shared with me.
"There," I pointed. "She led me through the hidden gate there."
Francesco followed my gaze, frowning, then slowly approached. I stood beside him and reached forward, brushing my fingers along the dense ivy wall. My fingertips tingled, and then—a warm pulse of energy.
A shimmer passed through the leaves.
And then, like a curtain parting, the ivy slipped away to reveal a hidden door.
Francesco staggered back in shock. "What the..."
I took his hand, steady and sure. "It’s time you see it."
He let me lead him through the doorway, into the hidden greenhouse-like room behind it.
The air inside was still, yet charged with a familiar energy. Crystals shimmered on the shelves. Books lined the walls. Dried herbs dangled from the beams above. In the center stood a wooden worktable, stained with ancient runes and candle wax. This was her sanctuary.
"She showed me this in a dream," I whispered. "This is where she practiced. Where she watched over you."
Francesco turned slowly, absorbing every detail. His expression was unreadable.
"She loved you, Francesco. But she knew her time was short. She prepared this place to protect you, and... maybe for me too."
His hands trembled slightly. "Why didn’t she tell me?"
"She was afraid you'd see her differently. But everything she did... she did out of love."
He sat on the edge of the worktable, silent. Then he looked at me, eyes soft.
"You carry her strength, but you're nothing like her. You’re stronger in ways even she wasn't."
I gave him a sad smile. "She was guiding me here, Francesco. From the very beginning."
He reached out, pulling me gently into his arms. We stood there in the heart of the secret room, surrounded by the legacy of a woman neither of us truly knew.
"This war with Luca... it's not just a fight for power. It's a fight for truth. For healing. For love," I whispered.
He nodded against my shoulder. "And I’m not losing you. Not again."
We stayed in that hidden place for a while longer, breathing in the scent of dried lavender and magic.
There would be war ahead, but today—we had peace. And secrets waiting to bloom.
Later that evening, I returned to the manor with Francesco. Maria, Audrey, and Monica were waiting in the dining room, their arms crossed and eyebrows raised as they spotted me walking in.
"And where exactly have you been, Miss Recovery?" Audrey teased, hands on her hips.
"Fresh air," I said quickly, smiling guiltily.
"Don't argue," Maria scolded, placing a large bowl of soup in front of me. "You’re still healing. Let us take care of you."
Francesco chuckled as he sat beside me. "You’ve lost all control, Luna."
"Apparently," I murmured with a smile.
As we all sat to eat, a strange warmth settled in my chest. Despite the danger, despite the shadows lingering beyond the forest... this pack had become my home.
And I—the broken she-wolf who once cried under moonlight alone—had become someone worth fighting for.
Someone worth loving.
Because of them.
Because of him.
Francesco took my hand under the table, and I knew—no matter what came next, we would face it together.
And Luca... he would never break us.