I watched as she walked away. My heart broke as I recalled the broken look in her eyes. Our baby. Our child was gone, dead before they even had the chance at life. I looked at Jeremiah; he was looking at me but his eyes weren't really looking; they were vacant. Dull. Lifeless. Like he had lost everything, he too had lost someone close to him. Not his mate, but his love.

He said nothing as Tommy lead us to where Autumn was. His baby was still alive. Thankfully, he had a little girl. We walked over to her. Her eyes were closed and a soft look on her face like her fight was finally over, like she was at peace. Jeremiah held her in his arms as if she was still alive. Tears rolled down onto her ivory skin as he ran his hands through her blonde hair.

'Your fight is over. May the Goddess bless your soul." He whispered. I watched as he lay her back down. He tucked her hair behind her ears and kissed her lips one last time. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

"Your daughter, she's doing well. She's a fighter." Tommy said. Jeremiah smiled softly.

"As was her mother. Take me to her." He ordered, and he nodded. We followed him as he took us into another room, leaving Autumn alone. I'd be lying if I said I was fine with this. Because I wasn't. My heart ached as I looked at her paled body. She was my first mate, my first love and yes she destroyed me but if not for her rejection wouldn't have met Bridget and I couldn't imagine life without her.

Fly high angle.

I thought, glancing up at the ceiling.

Tommy led us into the nursery. Jeremiah rushed to his daughter's side. She had Autumn's blonde hair and quite a lot of it. Her eyes were a mix of both Autumn's green eyes and Jeremiah's blue ones, creating a deep sea green colour. She was gorgeous, no doubt taking after her mother. He looked at Tommy. "Can I... can I hold her?" He asked softly, tears still falling from his eyes. Tommy nodded and picked her up before handing her to my brother "I won't let anything happen to you. I will always protect you my love." He whispered, kissing her tiny head. Her hand reached up and rested on Jeremiah's cheek, a soft gurgle leaving her lips.

"What's her name?" Tommy asked.

"Talia Autumn Rivera-Morton." He supplied, and I smiled. Welcome to the world, Talia.

After that I left him with his daughter, giving them some privacy. I headed straight to Bridget. I knew she was in our room and I growled as soon as I realised the door was locked. I twisted the handle to the left and soon enough the lock broke. I pushed open the door before closing it behind me. I looked at her and my heart clenched. She looked so broken. I rushed over to her and held her in my arms. She threw her arms around my neck and sobbed. Her emotions hit me and filled me with a deep-rooted sadness, and I knew this was how she was feeling. "This wasn't your fault." I said softly. She just sobbed harder.

I held her close until we had both fallen asleep.

——

I was jolted awake as I felt something move next to me. I sat up quickly, my body on edge. I relaxed when I saw it was only Bridget and I in the room. She still looked upset, but she wasn't crying, to which I was glad. I pulled her into me and shifted myself so I was hovering over her. I looked deep into her eyes, trying to read her. "Stop that." I ordered.

"What?" She questioned hoarsely.

"Stop hiding behind your walls. Let me in, it's my job to help and protect you." I said, and her facade faltered before crashing down completely.

"Does he hate me?" She asked.

I shook my head. "No, of course he doesn't. He was out of line back there he's grieving but no he doesn't hate you." I answered, and she nodded. I brought her in. My lips encased hers in a deep kiss. She pulled me close to her so our bodies were pressed against each other's. I pulled back and kissed down her body until I got to her stomach. I paused before lifting the fabric of her shirt to expose her skin.

"We could've had a family," I stated. "I'd have called him Oliver."

"What makes you so sure it was a boy? Could've been a girl." Bridget said.

"I'd have called her Hope." I said kissing her stomach. Bridget let out a soft sob.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect our child." She cried, and I sighed shaking my head at her as I sat up, pulling her with me. I held her face in my hands, staring heatedly at her.

"Do not blame yourself for this. Do you hear me? This was not your fault, Bridget Sage. You didn't even know. So don't you dare blame yourself for this. Ever." I snapped. She looked taken back by my dark tone.

"But-"

"No. There is nothing you can say that would ever make me believe this was your fault. Nothing at all."

"Everything is my fault. Every life lost is on me. My hands are covered in the blood of my pack how can you tell me this isn't my fault when I'm the reason they went into battle in the first place!" She yelled, pulling away from me. I growled and pulled her back into my me. I grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head, staring directly into her eyes.

"They went into battle to save their Alpha. Their leader. Their friend. Victory lies on the back of sacrifice, Bridget. Do not shoulder this burden alone." I muttered. She freed her wrists and shoved me off her. She got up and glared at me.

"Sacrifice!? Sacrifice?! Are you kidding me. These were people, human beings, our people, and you have the nerve to call them sacrifices? Are you that inhumane?" She yelled. I knew she was taking her anger out on me, so I know not to take what she says personally.

"No. But you aren't thinking rationally. If we hadn't had saved you, you'd be dead and Jarred would be free."

"Sometimes death is better than life."

I clenched my jaw. Narrowing my eyes at her. "Don't say stuff like that." I growled.

"Why the hell not? I'm sure Jeremiah would much rather it be me laying in that morgue draw, and I'm sure most of the pack would too." She yelled, shoving me backwards.

"Bridget, stop." I warned.

"Admit it! I should have done everyone a favour and died with my people."

"I said stop! Shut up!" I yelled, slamming my fist into the wall. "How can you stand there and tell me you wish you were dead? You dying wouldn't have made things better, only worse. If you die, I die. You are my heart. If you died, there's no way I'd be here right now, Bridget. So fuck you for thinking of yourself in this situation you know what it's like to lose a mate. Would it be better for me if you died? Would it?!" I yelled. My breath was coming out in angry pouts. She was glaring at me.

She rushed over to me and pulled me into her. Her lips crashed against mine and with that my anger melted into lust. I didn't care about anything but her at this moment. I wanted nothing but her. I growled as I ripped her shirt off her. She mirrored my actions. She jumped up, wrapping her legs around my waist. I slammed her against the wall, causing a soft gasp to leave her lips. Her hands wondered over my body, her touch igniting everything inside me.

We made our way over to the bed and by the time we hit the mattress all of our clothes were thrown across the room. We needed each other. I kissed down her neck, stopping at my mark. I let my teeth elongate and I plunged them into her neck as she let out a soft whimper before she began feeling the pleasure of my bite. My tongue swept over the puncture marks and she moaned as I sucked at her skin. My hands trailed her body, feeling every part of her. Committing every dip, every crevice to memory.

"I love you." She gasped out as I entered her.

"I love you too." I grunted.

And after that we fell quiet and let the sounds of passion fill the room.

——

A few hours later and we were both panting as I collapsed down next to her. "I'm sorry." She whispered.

"We all say things in the heat of the moment, my love. It's okay. You're okay." I said. She kissed my chest, tracing small circles on my skin.

"We can have another baby... if you wanted." She suggested, and I grinned I lifted her head so she was looking at me.

"Of course we can," I said seriously. She smiled at me, kissing my cheek softly. "Whenever you're ready my love." I whispered as she lay her head on my chest.

"Please don't ever leave me." She murmured softly against my chest. I looked down at her.

"As long as there's breath in my lungs I will never leave you, I'll never stop fighting for you, or loving you. You'll always have me Bridget. I'm not going anywhere." I replied my eyes watering at the thought of her being alone.

"I love you."

"I love you most."

😌

😊