I was charged with a laundry list of offensives against this country. Sure going AWOL was of course high on the list with fleeing the nation a close second. I wasn't alone with your Uncle by my side along as well as throng of other ex-military men but at the same time we were different.

Once again my father's shadow engulfed me and I was treated less than shit. I could have in theory had made a few calls and gotten a damn good lawyer but deep down I knew it would only leave Alfred with more bills and stress that he didn't need.

They were on the war path and only our blood would do for them though it didn't mean I didn't shield my brother from a large part of it. "You piece of shit." A guard said one night as he kicked Ludwig in the chest, "My brother died over there while you were nice and comfy in your little apartment." With each word he kicked him harder and harder.

"Hey!" I growled out as the guard looked my way, "You want to be pissed off at someone take a swing at his commanding officer." I puffed out my chest like I would do when I was still in training, "Or are you too much of a pussy to take on a man that can handle his own?"

Ludwig's eyes widened as he wiped a bit of blood from his mouth, "E-East." He started, "Don't."

The guard glared at me as he took a step away from my brother, "Oh I'm a pussy am I?" He said as he took out his baton, "Big talk for a bitch like you."

I knew exactly what I was doing, "Please who are you calling a bitch? I mean I could make you my bitch if you wanted." I cooed sweetly as I braced myself for the beating I was about to take. We were both chained to opposite walls though I also had my hands tied behind my back.

He raised his baton and cracked me hard against the side of my face with it. I saw stars for a moment and I was even afraid that he broke my cheek. "Who's the bitch now?" He yelled out as he kicked me hard in the groin. "Huh? Why don't you tell me again?"

All I could do was let out a gasped breath, "You are…a pussy."

It was the worst beating I had ever had but as I laid there in a pool of my own blood I was thankful they didn't touch my brother.

"You idiot…" He said once the guards were gone and the lights were turned out, "They wanted to kill you."

I managed to smirk softly, "They wanted to kill you too."

"I'm not the one with a mate and children." He answered as he shook his head. "If they kill you than what's going to happen to them?"

"I've already thought about that…." I said quietly as I closed my eyes, "If I die in here than he's going to go live with Scott."

He was quiet for a long time until he sighed, "You're being selfish again you know that right?"

"Selfish?" I asked as I managed to look over at him as my eyes started to swell. "How is that selfish? I'm making sure he's taken care of."

Again he sighed, "So he'd have to raise two or perhaps three pups by himself because you'd rather die for nothing?"

"It's not for nothing-" I started as he slammed his hand into the tile.

"It is and you're a fucking idiot if you can't see that." Slowly he turned away from me and rested his head on the wall behind him, "You'll make him go through hell just to make yourself feel better." Those words still haunt me to this day, "It really reminds me of someone I once knew a long time ago."

"West…" I started as I curled up next to my own cold wall, "Shut up."

"The truth hurts doesn't it brother?"

I would have screamed if I didn't know it would quickly bring a new group of guards, "I said shut the fuck up." In that moment my mind went to my children's smiling faces and it was enough to bring a few tears to my eyes, "Just shut up…"

Really if I was in the same situation I would have done the same things, the only difference would be that I wouldn't have let them drag my ass into the court room the next morning. The moment I walked into those large doors I heard my mate gasp. "What the fuck?" I heard him cry out as I turned to him standing defiantly among the smaller Omegas. "Someone beat the shit out of my mate!"

He had a right to be pissed off but when I looked up at the judges that would be deciding my fate I froze with fear and dread. There was Abel's brother and he was staring right at Alfred as he banged his gavel. "Quiet." He demanded.

"No!" Alfred screamed out and I knew I had to intervene.

"Alfred, sit down." I said above the crowd. He instantly looked at me with a look of pure horror and pain. It was a look I never wanted to see again and in that moment I understood what my brother was trying to tell me the night before. So I did the only thing I could think of and while it hurt I gave him a small smile. "It's okay."

Weakly he nodded as he sat back down and wrapped his arms around his stomach. I doubt he realized he did it but I caught it. It was a nervous habit he had when he was pregnant, he'd wrap his arms around his stomach and rub his hands up and down his arms. It was all I needed to see to know that our family was going to get a little bigger. So when at the end of that day's session and he ran down to me I knew exactly what he was going to say.

"Get back!" One of the judges demanded as he took my chin.

I looked over at Berwald, "Give him a moment then he'll behave the rest of the trial." When he nodded at me I turned back to Alfred, "Okay Bluebird."

I could see the tears in his eyes as he spoke, "Gilbert I…" He stopped as he looked down.

He had always been so nervous when he told me he was pregnant so I leaned up and kissed him, "Take good care of the baby Bluebird." I answered as his eyes widened. As he was about to answer I was quickly pushed towards the door.

"No Gilbert." He cried out.

"I love you Bluebird." I called out to him before the door closed. "I love you and all the kids, don't forget that."

As the doors slammed shut I heard him cry out one last time, "I love you too."

Later that night I gasped as two guards kicked me in the ribs. The night before I would have laughed at them but as they walked away I stayed silent.

We never said those three little words often enough so as Ludwig looked over slightly concerned I shook my head, "I love him…too much." I managed as he nodded. My brother could and would fight his own battles and I had to let him because if I let myself die in that hell…it would have been the death of my mate as well.