The Gift chronicles

Book 1 Chapter 43

I blew softly on her face, making her sneeze and then giggle. I smiled softly at the little pup. She was as goofy as her father. I would protect her with my life for the rest of my days. When she was of age, I would train her so she would be just as fierce as me. I knew it was what Carter would want for her.

A hand suddenly grabbed my shoulders, and the familiar tingles and woodsy scent soon accompanied the touch. Cain.

He sat next to me on the floor. "May I?" He asked, reaching for the baby. I nodded and handed Lily to him.

He rocked her and bopped her nose, making her giggle. She really was the happiest baby. It broke my heart knowing she would grow up without a father. Even though I did, I wouldn't want that on anyone.

"How was your day?" He softly asked me. He had been incredibly gentle with me since Carter's death, knowing I was always seconds away from a breakdown.

I shrugged. Terrible as always, I answered honestly.

Cain frowned. "It isn't healthy for you to stay inside all day drinking. You'd feel better if you went out. Maybe trained or— "

I cut him off. Train? In the same training center where Carter took Gwen and I to throw knives, even though he knew it would piss you off?

My heart clenched at the memory. That was just the kind of person Carter was. He knew he would likely get in trouble by the Alpha for taking us, but he did it anyways to make Gwen and I happy.

"I know it hurts to lose someone, Ares, I do. But you can't keep drinking and holing yourself up all day. It isn't healthy and won't help you recover," Cain tried to reason with me, but my grief couldn't be reasoned with.

Gwen returned with the bottle of vodka. "Am I interrupting something?" She asked.

No, I quickly answered, thankful for the distraction. She shrugged and chugged a quarter of the bottle. I took it from her and took a large swig myself. I offered some to Cain, knowing he would decline. He sighed and shook his head. When Rose came back, he handed Lily back to her.

I'll be in my office, mate. Mindlink me if you need anything. Please try to somewhat limit your drinking, Cain begged. He kissed my forehead and left the four of us.

I watched as he walked away, and took another large drink, letting the alcohol heal me.

--

One week later

going back to her house. She said that she wanted to try to get back to normal, as normal as possible. I assured her that she really wasn't a bother, but she insisted that she had to gain back some control in her life. Gwen was also going to return to

sat on the floor where I used to hangout with Gwen and Rose, feeling completely alone. I

comfort, especially when I was alone.

about 2 hours into my pity party. He looked at me sadly as he took in the scene. Me, laying haphazardly on the floor, surrounded

binder with some papers down. He wrapped his arms around me,

he was always shirtless.

the warmth and comfort that came from his touch. The mate bond may be fickle, but it definitely

eyes at me. "You're drunk," He

you're sexy, I said to him, my words slurring.

bottle of tequila, but he beat me to it, and moved the bottle out of my reach. "I think you've

at him. I think you should mind your own business, Alpha, I spat at him venomously. I may or may not be

pup. And you need to stop drinking. You're becoming too dependent on it. It's getting out of control," He said softly, looking at me with pleading eyes, begging

how else to deal with the pain, I mumbled, in a striking moment of

around me tightly. "I know, little mate. I know it doesn't seem

scoffed. Strong, but couldn't

of alcohol. I could already feel my buzz wearing

did that, and the Moon Goddess will reward him heavily in the

God would let someone as pure as Carter be taken away, but let someone as evil

sighed, not answering immediately. "It's all a part of her plan. Try not to

I countered seriously. My heart didn't feel much better than it did two weeks ago.

can take it away,"

What? I asked.

can take it away," Cain seriously spoke, pulling away to look into my eyes. I was suddenly extremely

neck only helps for so long, I venomously

I can take away your pain and bear the weight of it myself," Cain said

catch? I

have to be fully... mated," He gauged my reaction