جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 80

VALENTINE“She’s stable, Alpha. The shock was just too much for her. She will wake up soon.”I glared at the doctor, wanting her to tell me that she could wake Vivian up now. I need to leave, but I don’t want to leave without first talking to her. I need her to know that whatever it takes, I’m bringing our son home.“Val, we got her. I won’t leave her side. Ben will be right here too.”Courtney is sitting on her other side, gripping Vivian’s other hand.I need to leave. I need to join the search for my son, but my heart is torn in two. He needs me, but Vivian needs me too.“If she were awake, she would tell you to go. Save him. We got her in your place,” Ben mind‑linked to me.My eyes met him across the room. He gives me a tight smile and nods. No joking or sarcasm. He looks fierce, and every bit the dependable Gamma he is. He won’t be leaving his Luna until I return.I lean over my beautiful sleeping mate, pressing my lips to her temple.“I’ll find him, baby. I’ll bring him home.”If

“Grandson? Great. More stupids. I know you are not talking about me. Mommy said I only have Grandma Lucy, and grandpa doesn’t have mates,” Marvel holds the spoon out like a weapon, the blue glow still emanating from his hands and eyes.No, Max doesn’t have mates. He lost two in his life, and one of those was me by my own choosing. I rejected him and the pack to prevent Levi from using me to do more damage. In my panic, while I was being kidnapped, while still on Lord Antonio’s coven lands that are warded to prevent outside influences, I rejected the bond and my title. If I had kept it just a few minutes longer, until we were past the wards, I could have alerted Max or my son, but I made a rash decision at the moment. I couldn’t think straight from the influence of the poison and from my head and body being thrashed around in the hold of Levi’s teeth. I thought he was going to kill me, and I didn’t want Max or the pack to feel the pain of losing a Luna to death.Now, here we are. I’m b

Valentine POVThe first hour of the drive back was silent, except for Marvel’s muffled sobs. I held him tightly against my chest, joining his sorrow.She protected him. She gave her life for him, and I didn’t make it in time to thank her.My dad is in the very back of the van behind us, like he is guarding my mother at the back, her body resting behind his seat. Antonio tried to supply us with another vehicle to transport her in, but all three of us said no, wanting to keep her with us as long as possible.Katherine, seeming pissed at her mate, helped as Dad wrapped mom’s body in a thick blanket recovered from the RV that Levi used when he escaped with Marvel.Dad refused to let the vampires touch her, but for some reason took Katherine’s help. They worked together to gently wrap her in the blanket and then a plastic tarp before setting her tenderly in the back of the van.I just held my son, much like I’m doing now, letting my grief for my mother and my relief for having my son back

VIVIAN“Mommy?”“Yes, baby?” I kissed his head as he lay beside me in bed.This is the first time in weeks we have been alone. There is no need for guards or protection anymore, though.Max and Valentine both had to take care of Harriet’s body. I offered to stay with them to help, but Valentine told me it would be a greater help to take Marvel home and wait for him there. He said he wanted something to look forward to after he was done, and knowing his family was in bed waiting for him would motivate him to get it done sooner.“Is grandpa going to be okay?”I hum as I think of the right words to say. “Grandpa will be, because he has you to help him. When we see him next, we are just going to have to make sure he knows how much we love him.”Marvel pouts and nuzzles his little face into my hair.“I wanted to stay with grandpa.”“I know, but they still had work to do. I’ll see if he can spend time with you later.” I’d offer to let him spend the night with Max, but I don’t know if I’m go

COURTNEY POV“Oh, honey,” Ben sings out as he comes into our house. He just got back from checking on Calum at my parents’. He was supposed to bring Calum home, but Mom was baking with him and he threw a temper tantrum to stay.“In here,” I called back from our room. I’m sitting on our bed, going through an old photo album with pictures of me and Valentine from when we were Calum and Marvel’s age.Ben struts in with a mischievous smile on his face, pulling his shirt over his head. “I’m ready to taste the rainbow,” he hums, making me chuckle.“I’m tired. And I need a shower.”“You can sleep. I don’t mind. I’ll make sure to get you good and clean,” he licks his lips, kneeling down in front of me and resting his chin on my knees.I smile sadly, running my hand over his cheek, my fingers itching his beard.He finally picks up on my mood, and his playful attitude shifts to a concerned one. “What’s wrong, babe? Are you not feeling well? Want me to run you a bath?”I shook my head, setting t