Erick POVShawn is unusually quiet. He seems distant and almost sleeping as we ride with the vampires to the compound. Alexander has twenty vampires going with us. The plan is to park our trucks and walk up to the compound from the north side. Alexander believes Macon is holding Kate close to the Alpha’s house. Shawn agreed with him. I trust Shawn but not Alexander.“Shawn, are you nervous or something?” I ask him. It is freaking me out, he is being too damn quiet.Shawn opens his eyes and looks at me with the strangest look on his face. “I have been trying to communicate with Kate. I have tried for months but today is the first time I think I might have gotten through to her,” Shawn says.“I hope she does not wig out like before. When the wolves tried to communicate with her before, she had a hard time coping with it,” I say to Shawn.“No, I have been doing a different type of mental link with her. It is very subtle. It should not frighten her, but it will make her sleepy,” Shawn say

Kate POVI leave my husband to go speak with my father. This is not a conversation I want to have, not today or ever. I loathe him. Maybe I should not feel this way, but I do. I feel as if I was abandoned and left with the man who raised me when someone could have stepped up and taken me into their home. Alexander could have saved me, but he made a choice to leave me with the idiot who raised me and abused me.I lived a life of poverty when I could have been with my father. Maybe if someone had stepped up for me, I could have learned more about my mother and had a better relationship with my father and wolf. It is the past. There is no going back now. At least, I ended up with Erick, who loves me, and we are happy. It does not change the fact the Alexander abandon me just like my pack.I go through the kitchen. There are several young vampires. None of them even look at me. Then, finally, a lady comes up to me. "Hey, I am Desire. I work closely with your father. I am so happy to meet

Cassie POVWe all sleep in the next day, even Austin. Meagan allowed me to show the baby to Austin after he was born. Austin has been so excited watching Meagan's stomach grow. She would tell him all about her baby. So naturally, he was excited to meet the little one finally.Kate worked hard helping me deliver the baby. I was happy to have her help, giving her a chance to see what is to come. She was nervous but kind to Meagan.The little boy is perfect. Kate and Erick told Trip and Meagan not to get in any hurry to go home. We have plenty of room here. It is nice to be under the same roof with Trip again. Trip will always be like a brother to me.When I finally get out of bed, Austin is still sleeping. I check in on mother and baby. They are sleeping soundly. I find Kate in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee. She smiles at me when I come into the kitchen."Are you hungry? I can cook," I say to her."Everyone is still asleep. Austin's nanny is taking a nap on the couch. She did his

Cassie POVKate has been out for almost three days. We have cut the staff in the house down to practically no one. The only people allowed to check in on her are me, Alpha Erick, the pack doctor, and Shawn. Alpha Erick begs the baby to let Kate wake up, and it is heartbreaking.Shawn has connected with her once more and assured Erick she is okay. I know that offers him some comfort, but he wants to hear it from her in reality. Andrew and John have taken over many of the pack business, which I know Alpha Erick is grateful to have them. It is heartbreaking to watch all of this.Alpha Erick has suffered without her for months, and now he has to watch her sleep. At least she is here with us and not with Macon. That in itself is comforting. Although the fear of Macon possibly taking his vampire form and coming for Kate and the baby weighs heavy on everyone's mind. I know Alpha Erick is distraught, but he tries so hard to put up a good show for the pack and the wolves.Alpha Erick comes dow

Kate POVI convince Cassie and Erick to let me be for a short period of time. I feel like I have been surrounded and only need a few moments to myself. I could run a hot bath or something. I just need some time to sort through everything before Shawn comes to speak with me. I have so much to tell him that I did not share with Erick or Cassie. Our baby girl and my mother told me to hold out for a little while. I feel it is best."I understand you need some time to process everything, just let me help you out of the bed, at least," Erick says.I touch his hand and smile at him. "Okay, I can let my big strong Alpha help me for a little while. You can run me a bath, extra hot," I say to him.Erick leaves the bedroom and goes into the master bathroom. I can hear the water running. Cassie goes to leave me. "Thank you, Cassie, for caring for me, Austin and Erick. I think we ask too much of you," I say to her."I do not mind helping you at all. You know I love you as a sister, and Erick has a