Chapter 48

~Aaden POV~

"Is that all?"

"I just told you we're werewolves…and all you can say is "is that all?"

I stared, bewildered, at my mother, who stood with a hand on her hip and her eyes flashing wildly. "Aaden, I'm so relieved you aren't drug dealers that I can't even explain it to you." "Mom! We're in danger, ALL of us, including you now that you know the truth! Why are you not even worried?"

"Darling, if we die, we die, there's nothing that can stop that. It will suck ass if we do, but I'd rather die with you than die alone wondering what happened to you." I couldn't believe my ears. She was a worry wart ninety-six percent of the time, and here she was calmly accepting fate.

"Well, as we're going into battle, you'll need to remain here for your protection. I need you to take care of Galen. Now that you've become an ally, one that must stay here, that means Amy can now come fight as well. You'll have Spencer to keep you company."

"All right." In my relief, I let my eyes flash at her, and she startled before smiling. She was taking this like a real champ, and I had to be proud of her. If we won, maybe I'd bring her into the family, if she wanted.

I pushed my hair back and reached for Derek's hand. He and Farren had devised a great plan to take down Kyle, and it had succeeded, but with several casualties. Kyle hadn't gone down easy, which we had expected, but nothing could have prepared us for the small war he'd unleashed on us. We'd lost several vampires, and three wolves, including young Oscar. It had broken my heart. We'd saved him from Natalie's grasp, only for him to die just two battles in.

I'd looked forward to his victory.

I offered Derek my strength, and he took it gratefully, pressing his lips to mine. We knew that the kisses we shared now might be our last.

In exactly thirty-six hours, we were making a beeline for Lorcan Kern's castle.

I was scared. Not really for myself, but for my husband, my pack, my friends, my mother and most of all, my infant son. If the King's guards took us all down, they would eventually find our base. There was no way Spencer, my mother and Galen could fend them off for two seconds.

I drew from Derek's comforting squeeze to my hand. He was assuring me that we'd be okay, but I wished I could believe it. To my left, my mother was walking and bouncing Galen, who was very content. He'd fallen in love with his Grandma, and I was glad, because on the off chance they did survive, I knew he'd be with someone who loved him too.

I sighed then, walking with Derek into Farren's mapped out room. She brought forth a map of the castle, showing us where we'd need to enter, and then those of us who survived, would exit through the gate. We memorized every corner and crevice until our heads were ready to explode.

When we'd grown tired, each of us had headed upstairs with heavy hearts, full minds and one desire: to be with the ones we loved. If nothing else, it was going to be a comfort to just be held. I knew how they felt.

Derek gently took our sleeping son from Mom's arms, and she bid us goodnight before going to her new room. He cradled Galen as we climbed, and I reached over and placed a hand on his stomach. My darling son, oh, I was going to miss him like crazy.

Would I live to see him crawl, or walk? Would I get to hear his first word? Would I be there to hold him when he came in crying after he'd scraped his knees? I had never realized before how much I would want from having a child. The first time he ever said 'I love you', would I witness it?

"Babe," Derek said, coming to lay beside me. I placed Galen between us gently, soaking up his soft skin and tiny snores. "I know," I said, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. "Don't cry," he said gently, reaching over to stroke my cheek, "we're going to make it. We're going to beat the King, and we're going to raise our son together. Surrounded by family." I nodded, trying to accept that.

~Derek POV~

I woke up early, but it was good, considering I wasn't sleeping much anyway. I looked over to Aaden, and she slept, Galen tucked comfortably in her arms. I was glad that she could, she'd been so troubled the night before. I was going to hate myself for having to wake her up and take the baby to Rose. But I couldn't deny it long, because we were heading out very soon. This was what we'd spent years training, recruiting, and fighting for. The thought made my heart trip over itself. Soon, to whoever's hands it belonged to, the King would be dead. No longer would my race be enslaved, or trampled on. No longer would I dread raising my son in this world. Soon, we'd be free.

I carefully slid to the edge of the bed and slipped on my shirt and jacket. I eased into my jeans so that I wouldn't wake up the baby, then pulled on my socks. It was time to wake up Aaden.

Gently, I placed my hand on her shoulder, and leaned down to press my lips just below her ear. She stirred gently, her arms tightening around Galen. "Babe," I whispered, pressing my lips to her jaw. She gently sighed and opened her eyes, glowing purple. "It's time."

She swallowed hard before kissing Galen's head. She stroked his cheek gently, then shook him just enough to wake him up. Before he could fuss much, she pressed him to her breast. She nursed him while she one handedly pulled on her jeans and socks. This woman amazed me sometimes.

After a few minutes, she unlatched him and rocked him back to sleep. She held him out to me so that she could clean up and finish getting dressed. I held my little son in front of me, taking in his image one last time before we left. His sweet little face, reminding me so much of my mother. His soft little body, those chubby cheeks that demanded kisses. And I couldn't help myself.

I leaned in and pressed my lips to his forehead, then both cheeks, then his chin. I rarely did anything like this, but I was saying goodbye for a while, though I was determined to not make it forever.

When Aaden came back in with her hair tied up and her fight face on, I took a deep breath and kissed Galen's head one last time before handing him to her, and I followed her to Rose's room just down the hall. Rose was already awake, though not dressed, and she was reading a book. "Is it time?" She asked sullenly, before putting the book aside. Aaden nodded, before walking over, placing a last kiss on Galen's cheek and handing him to Rose. Rose placed him beside her on the bed before she stood and wrapped her arms fiercely around Aaden. "I love you, so much. Now, you fight like hell and you come back to us." "Love you, Mom." Aaden said, and then Rose turned to me.

She walked over, then looked me dead in the eyes. "Be her strength, son. Fight for each other, fight for your friends, and come back safe." She reached up and placed soft hands on both sides of my face, "I'm proud of you. And I love you." With this, she stunned me by kissing my forehead. I rubbed her wrist, and ignored the awkwardness I felt before leaning down and kissing her cheek. "We'll be back home soon, ready for a new life."

This was a promise.

**Okay! Next chapter will begin the biggest battle yet for the vampire/werewolf family! Are you looking forward to it? Please R&R! Have a good day!**