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BlissfulBillie Review:

"Ahhhh! Rebels!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

They're back!

Virtue01 Review:

"Thank you for the using my comment to create Dominique's character. I wonder who she was talking to on the phone. I hope Marlee and the kids are ok and Maxon and America get to the safe and they can get to talk. Thank you for the update can't wait to read the next chapter."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you for the inspiration! I appreciate your comment.

notalent7 Review:

"Please update more! I look everyday to see if you posted anything."

WriterQueen123 Response:

That's so sweet! I really am trying to update regularly. By the way, I'm sure you have a lot of talent ( ̶n̶o̶talent7) haha.

amandabritto Review:

"OMG ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER? Btw Hiiii! I just started reading your fanfic and I am OBSESSED WITH IT! I really hope that u and your family are healthy and staying safe during these challenging times! Thanks for bringing me entertainment on this quarentine, you are soooooooo talented! Wish u all the best! Xoxo"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you so much for the warm wishes! I hope you and your family are staying safe as well! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far. Xoxo

Guest Review:

"I just started reading this story about a week ago! I LOVE IT! Jusy finished the last chapter! Can't wait til you update!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you so much for your kind review! Hope you keep having fun with the story!

Hi everyone! I have a question: how do you feel about the review responses that I do in the beginning of every chapter? Are they annoying to skip through? Do you read each one? Do you get excited about finding yours? Do you skim through in search of drama? I'm genuinely interested! Personally, on other fanfictions, I like seeing responses from the writer but get confused about what they're talking about when I can't see the original comment. That's why I also include the quoted original. But if my review responses are just annoying, I can always cut them out in the future. Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks.

Maxon's eyes widened in shock as two guards ran into our bedroom. "Into the royal safe room, Your Majesties!" they shouted above the din of the alarm. Officers Leonard and Miner grabbed Maxon and I, pushing us towards the discreet safe room door in our suite. "Go, go, go."

I finally came to my senses and pushed back on the guards. "Wait!" I screamed. "Eadlyn and Ahren! I don't know where they are!" I struggled to free myself of Officer Miner's grip, but he stayed strong.

"We'll find them, Your Majesty. I'm sure they're safe!" he reassured me, trying to lock the door and close off the passage to the safe room.

"No!" I let out a strangled cry, shooting a panicked look at Maxon. "Maxon! Our babies!"

"Officers, stop!" Maxon shouted.

"Your Majesty, you must-"

"Make sure America is safe in the room. I need to get to the babies!" Maxon shoved Officer Leonard back and scrambled out of the passageway.

"We've wasted too much time!" Officer Leonard protested. "I'm sure they're safe, but you're not!"

"I'm going, too!" I yelled, following Maxon out.

"No, America, stay!" he pleaded, a terrified gleam in his eye. As Maxon turned around to face me, a stir of movement caught my attention. My blood turned icy as I registered a rebel armed with a gun who appeared at the doorway of my bedroom. He lifted his gun up, aiming at Maxon. In a half second, before I could scream or Maxon and the guards could notice him, the rebel smiled at me and pulled the trigger.

No.

No.

No.

The scene around me seemed to pause as I leaped forward, breaking away from the guards and shielding Maxon from the bullet. Time resumed and I fell to the ground, the searing pain igniting a fire in my shoulder where the bullet hit me. I could barely take in what happened directly after. The security quickly shot down the rebel; Maxon was screaming at me; we both got thrown into the passageway by the two guards.

Maxon lifted me tenderly, his tears mingling with the blood pouring from my shoulder. I took a few shallow breaths before everything blacked out.

"Maxon." The barely audible sound escaped my lips as I slowly half opened my eyes.

"I'm here, Ames. I'm here." He kissed my left hand, which he'd been holding delicately. Maxon had bandaged my wounded shoulder and laid me down on the cot of the safe room while he sat next to me.

"I love you," I rasped. "I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry..."

"Shhh," Maxon said stroking my hair gently. "Save your energy, my love. You've lost a lost of blood."

It was only then that I could feel my throbbing shoulder; it felt like a second, more ragged heartbeat.

"Wait!" I croaked with all the energy I could muster. "What about the twins? The twins!"

"There's a radio in here, and Carter told me that they're safe with Marlee in another safe room," Maxon said soothingly, continuing to run his fingers through my matted hair.

"Oh, thank God. Thank God," I repeated to myself, the assurance of my babies' safety calming me.

"How are you feeling?" Maxon asked, his chocolate eyes brimming with concern and love.

"As good as can be after being shot," I joked lamely, but worry creased between his eyebrows.

"Don't you ever do that again," he breathed, his voice trembling.

"I'm fine," I said gently, trying to coax strength into my hands to squeeze his.

"You're not fine," Maxon said, kissing my forehead. "I was so close to losing you, Ames. You have no idea." He shook his head, clearly reliving the moment.

I sighed. "You've taken a bullet for me, Maxon. I should be able to do the same for you."

"Just don't do it again, America," he begged, his voice breaking. "I can't lose you. I would rather die than lose you."

"You won't have to lose me," I promised, a tear streaking down my cheek. Maxon wiped it away with his thumb before it could roll off my face.

"I love you. So much," Maxon said with a sad smile. "And I'm sorry about our argument before. I was overreacting-"

"Not at all, Maxon," I whispered, getting slightly lightheaded when I tried to take a deep breath. "You don't have to play it down just because I'm hurt. You have every reason to be angry and disappointed in me. I made a mistake, and I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about. You just saved my life, America." He closed his eyes, gripping my hand a little tighter as if to make sure I was still there.

"But I never got the chance to apologize for my crazy accusation. And I am really sorry. I guess..." I sighed. "I guess I've never been fully confident in myself. I trust you more than I trust myself, Maxon, but there's always been a tiny voice in the back of my head telling me I'm not good enough for you. To be queen."

"No way." Maxon shook his head, wanting to contradict me, but I kept going.

"Anyway, when I saw the bra, I jumped to a conclusion that I would never believe if I didn't already doubt myself. I'm sorry for hurting you. I love you."

"Thank you," he whispered, lightly kissing my lips. His warm breath tingled on my nose. "I love you."

Exhausted, I leaned my head against Maxon's shoulder and drifted off to sleep.