Chapter 16

*Matthew*

Her phone call broke my heart, and she sounded so broken. When I entered her room, she looked small, curled up in a ball, crying.

"Alli," I said, watching her intently.

She ran to me and wrapped her hands around my neck when she saw me." Tears streming down her face as she rested her head on my chest and ugly cried.

"What's wrong, Alli, and where in the hell is Nick?" I asked, curious.

"I left him." She said so softly I barely caught it.

"Why?" I asked, my heart beating erratically in my chest.

"I'm so sorry. I know how unfair this is for you." Alli choked out. When she calmed down, she explained what had happened, and I listened intently.

"Alli, please, I love you. Please don't do this!" Nick yelled from outside.

She froze in my arms, and I closed my eyes and sighed.

"I think you should give him a chance to explain," I said, even though each word tore me apart.

"This is hard to say, Alli, but he loves you. Is it fair to punish him for reacting to his first mate almost dying? Look how you still react to me, but you want nothing to do with me," I said, meeting her gaze.

"Ask yourself this: Why is he here instead of at the hospital with her? He's here begging you not to give up on him. I want you to be happy, so I won't keep coming to you like this. Your mate is outside, and he needs to know that you still love him. I love you, Alli, and I always will, but I'm not the one who should be here holding you." I said, kissing her forehead and walking out.

Each step hurt like a knife plunged into my heart, but I knew that her place was not with me anymore.

I walked outside, and Nick was pacing back and forth. When he heard the door close, he looked up, and a frown formed.

"Why are you here?" He growled, not liking that I was there.

"I'm in no mood to deal with you right now. I don't want to have to kill you because you're an idiot. Alli called me here." I replied, holding my hands up.

"She's in her room, and she needs her mate." I forced out, knowing this was the right thing to do.

"Nick," I called to him as I reached my car.

He turned and looked at me.

Hurt her again, and I'll kill you," I warned.

Nick nodded and ran inside.

*Nick*

I ran to Alli's room and swung the door open. She was on the floor, her head in her hands.

"Baby, please don't cry," I begged, pulling her on my lap.

"Why are you here, Nick?" She questioned, trying to get up.

I pulled her back and held her closer to me. There was no way I was going to lose her. Not without a fight.

"You're my mate, Alli. I love you." I answered, holding her face in my hands, needing her to understand

"What about Olivia?" she asked softly.

"I left her at the hospital once she was out of danger," I said truthfully.

"Please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you. I just couldn't let Olivia die." I said, rubbing her belly.

"I know you will always love her," she responded, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Just like you will always love Matthew," I replied, looking her right in her eyes.

Despite how we felt about our mates, we had chosen each other, and I knew I would never leave her side. We had said forever, and I planned to keep my word.

"Are you sure I'm what you want, Nick?" she asked, leaning her forehead to mine.

"Yes, you will never know how much I love you," I said as she placed her lips to mine.

"You are my everything, Alli, and I will never regret a second of being with you. Not now, not ever."

"Can we please go home already?" I said, my eyes on hers.

"Yes, take me home, Nick," she whispered.

*Matthew*

I had been sitting in this chair for over an hour, waiting for her to wake up. I was tempted to shake her. I got up when she started moving. She opened her eyes and looked around the room before her gaze fell on me.

"Looking for someone?" I asked, smirking.

"Not you, that's for sure." she snapped back, making me smile because this was not going to go how she planned, and I would make damn sure she never tried this shit again.

"Whatever you were trying to get out of this," I voiced, waving my hand up and down.

"It didn't work. Nick is with Alli as we speak." I said, ice in my voice.

She was playing a deadly game, bringing Alli trouble, and she had better be careful, or she would get bitten.

"I don't know what you mean," she said, a frown on her face.

"Oh, I think you do," I informed her, grabbing her face.

"Let me make something very clear to you: if you go near Nick and Alli again, I'll kill you." I threatened, getting up and walking to the door.

"I don't think you will." She taunted.

"Try me," I said, leaving.

One month later...

*Alli*

"Nick! OMG! Hurry up!" I yelled, trying to get off the couch.

Nick came running around the corner with my bag in his hand. "

I'm here, I'm here," he assured while helping me up.

My contractions were coming closer, and the pain was getting bad. It was time to go to the hospital. I was ready to meet our son.

"Baby, are you good?" Nick asked, helping me into the car.

"As good as I'm going to be," I said, gritting my teeth.

"Just hurry, please," I implored him, rubbing my belly.

When we pulled into the hospital, a nurse was already waiting with a wheelchair. I'm so glad that we remembered to call ahead.

Nick lifted me from the seat and sat me in the wheelchair, "Okay, sweetheart, I'll be right in in a minute.

"I'm just going to go park the car." He bent down to my belly and kissed it

"Wait till I come back." He whispered to the baby.

Nick had been so overprotective lately that it was a miracle that he even let me walk.

" I just need you to sign some papers, Alli." The nurse said, smiling.

She dropped me off at the front desk and said she would return shortly.

"Here you go, Alli," the lady at the front desk said, handing me a clipboard with my paperwork.

"Where's that good-looking husband of yours today?" She said, smiling.

I smiled, thinking about how beautiful Nick was. I loved that he was all mine.

I saw Nick running through the front door and tripping on his foot. I laughed when he finally made it to me. I didn't have the heart to tell him he had forgotten my bag in the car.

"Did I miss anything?" Nick said, pushing his hair out of his face.

"No, you were only gone a few minutes, Nick," I said, trying not to laugh.

*Nick*

I was excited to finally meet my son, but wondering who he would look like was driving me crazy. Alli was so beautiful; her huge belly made me smile. I loved that that was my baby growing inside of her. Another contraction hit her, and she grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I grit my teeth from the force of her hold. She breathed in and out and rubbed her belly. It seemed to help her, so I would let her squeeze the life out of my hand if that was what she needed.

The nurse led us to our room and handed Alli a hospital gown. I helped her change, and then I put her in the bed. My heart was racing, and I thought my son would be here soon.

Alli was in the middle of a contraction when the door busted open.

"Oh, I know you guys didn't forget to call me ME, the godmother!" Macy said, glaring at me.

I had to look up Alli's location to find out where you were. I got worried when neither of you answered your phones. Thank you, Lord, for technology. I could have missed MY godson being born," she said dramatically, making us laugh.

We had been in such a rush to be here that it was a miracle we made it in one piece, considering I was freaking out the whole way here.

"By the way, I called your parents since you forgot to call them, too," she said, running to stand on the other side of Alli.

"Thank you, Macy," I said, loving that Alli had someone like her in her life.

"They are on their way," Macy said, grabbing Alli's hand.

"Uhhh, Macy, that's not the greatest idea," I told her, pointing to Alli's and her hands.

"What are you talking abo... aww omg Alli." She yelled as Alli got another contraction.

After a few hours, it was finally time for Alli to push.

"Here we go, baby," I said, kissing her sweaty forehead.

"It hurts so badly, Nick; I can't do this!" Alli growled, tired.

"Just a few more pushes, and he will be out," the doctors said, trying to encourage her.

"Can't he just stay in there"? Alli whined.

"You can do it, love. It's almost over." I said, pushing her hair away from her face.

"Come on, Alli, you got this!" Macy said, holding onto her hand.

"That's it, Alli. One more push." The doctor said, helping the baby out.

After a few seconds, the baby started crying, and we looked at the doctor who was holding our son in his hands.

Never in my life had I loved someone the way I instantly loved the beautiful boy in front of me. I looked at Alli in awe, knowing that her labor had not been easy, but she had battled through. Here was our prize—the evidence of our love for each other.

"Nick, would you like to cut the umbilical cord." He said, holding my son out for me.

I just nodded, my head choked up with emotion. He was perfect—blond hair and blue eyes, my twin in every way.

"You did it, baby," I said, handing our son to her. "I love you," I said, watching as she took him in her arms, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Welcome to the world, Alexander," she said, placing a kiss on his forehead.

*Alli*

Alexander was perfect. Tears were falling from my face. Happiness bubbled inside me as I looked into the eyes of our son—icy blue like his father. Nick laughed at me when I counted all his fingers and toes. We decided to name him Alexander, Alex for short. He closed his eyes and was fast asleep in no time. Our parents and Macy spent the rest of the day fighting over who would get to hold him. I couldn't believe that he was finally here. It had been worth every minute of pain I had endured to bring him into this world, changing our lives forever.

When it was time to change his first diaper, Nick was eager to learn. That was until he smelled it. The look on his face was priceless.

"How can someone so small produce something that smells that bad." He said, frowning.

Macy busted out laughing.

"Welcome to parenthood, Nick." She said, patting him on the back.

"There's going to be lots and lots more of those." She said, laughing.

When everyone finally left, I was exhausted.

"Get some rest, love; I'll watch Alex while you sleep," Nick said, grabbing Alex from me.

After a few minutes, I fell into a deep sleep.

Matthew*

Alli and Nick's baby was born today. All the packs were talking about it. Nick would take over as Alpha, and then their son would be Alpha one day. I was happy that Alli was doing well. I picked up Isabelle, and she cooed. Isabelle had grown so much in the last month. She was such a good baby, never really fussing about anything.

Mandy and her mother came to see Isabelle every weekend. Mandy seemed to be doing better, and she looked happy. I was still having a hard time moving on. I knew I needed to re-marry and find a new Luna for the pack and a mother for my daughter. The pack wanted me to try an arranged marriage. They were going to pick someone who had lost their mate. Right now, I was open to anything; I needed to do whatever I could to get over Alli. I had told the pack that I and Isabelle were going to go on vacation for a few months, and then we would proceed with finding me a mate. I needed to be far away from Alli for a while.

So many things were going through my mind. Isabelle sat in her car seat next to me, watching me. We were waiting to take off, and I couldn't help but feel sad. I had always been a fair person, but I had failed with the one person I should have treasured above all others. I had not treated her how I should have, and now I was living with that outcome. I wish that I could go back and change it. I ran my hand through my hair in frustration.

This was my life. Now, I had to move on for myself and my daughter. I had done this, and there was no one to blame but myself. The time for the what-ifs was over, and I had lost my chance to ever get her back. I hoped that this trip would help me clear my mind and resign myself to what was to come.

The woman sitting across from me turned to look at Isabelle.

"What a beautiful baby." She said, smiling.

"Do not give up so quickly, young man; there is still hope." She said, resting her hand on my shoulder.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"Your mate, she is not lost to you. But you must be patient. The time is not now, but it will come if you wait. Fate is never wrong. So do not replace her in your life," she said, looking me in the eyes.

I was shocked. Who was this older woman, and how did she know what I was going through? Did I really still have a chance?

"Who are you, and how do you know me?" I asked, turning to look at her.

"I'm a friend. I mean, you no harm. I'm no threat to you or yours. I was just hoping to give you some peace of mind." She said picking up her book and ending our conversation.

If I thought my mind was running like crazy before now, it was on overdrive.