90. We are family.

Ally and Zander had left more than twenty minutes ago. Eros mind-linked his best friend five times already, to make sure that his daughter was alright and there was no danger. The little girl had found out about gummy worms and wanted to taste them, but the tasting part turned into a bit of chaos. Apparently, Ally was chasing some she-wolves who pretended to be afraid of bugs. At least she was having fun and it took her mind off the hospital. Eros sat next to Eve's bed, holding her hand, praying to the Moon Goddess to wake up faster. Doctors came in and left the room every two to three minutes, ensuring the human was doing well. Nurses eyed Eros with curiosity. Until now, they had never seen the Alpha so close. He overheard some of them gossiping about how handsome, yet cruel their new Alpha was. Other women disagreed, pointing out that everything he did was for the best. An older nurse scolded them for gossiping, while seemingly cruel Alpha wouldn't leave his mate's side. All women left the hall and got back to their work.

"How is she?" Eros mind-linked Zander again. He could feel how irritated his friend became, but he didn't care. Not when his actions were to make sure that his daughter was safe.

"For a hundred-millionth time, she's okay. Ally met some of the other pups, and they're playing a weird game now. At first, she wanted to go back to the hospital, but the kids wouldn't let her leave, so they are running around like a bunch of psychos," Zander groaned. Watching over the kids wasn't bad but being forced to chase them was awful. Despite the training and his athletic build- the kids tired him pretty quickly.

"How's Eve? Any sign of waking up yet?"

"Still asleep. Doctors keep saying that she's stable, but nobody knows exactly when she might wake up. I'm left here waiting." Eros was devastated, he regretted the moment he allowed doctors to give her more medicine. All he wanted was for her to wake up and know that their daughter was nearby.

"Don't be so harsh on yourself; you did what was best for her. I know what you're thinking- the medicine and everything, but think about it, dude. If you hadn’t made the decision, Eve would have done anything to get away. For now, her body is healing; after a while, she will wake up stronger than ever. You did what was best for her." Zander tried to cheer Eros up. His best friend was never one to show emotions or fears, but now, when the mess with Eve started- Zander had to become the rock for his best friend. The tables had turned.

"Yeah, I guess. Thanks for being here and supporting me, I appreciate that. And thanks for looking after my little girl," Eros brought Eve's hand to his lips and smiled against her skin.
The man felt like the luckiest shifter that ever walked the Earth. Maybe his life was a little fucked up, but that didn't change the fact that he was happy. A gorgeous mate, wonderful daughter, and a trustworthy friend, not to mention Mary and Balthazar. Eros was a lucky man.

"Speaking of which, the little monster needs to go to the bathroom. Update me if anything changes in the hospital!" Zander cut short the mind link, leaving Eros grinning like a mad man.
One would never think how proud a man can feel after finding out that he was a father.
Eros switched in his seat, leaning his head against the bed. He was determined to stay by her side until Eve woke up. Their daughter was right- his mate might get frightened if she wakes up alone. Eros almost fell asleep, holding Eve's hand until a weak movement startled him. His eyes instantly left her side to look up at her face. Eve opened her eyes, hissing at the bright light. Eros let go of her and bolted for the light switch to turn them off. She seemed lost, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Hi," Eve whispered after noticing her mate. A weak smile appeared on her lips as the woman instantly tried to sit up.

Eros rushed to her side to keep her down. "Don't; you're too weak. You must rest, love. I'll take care of anything you need," he gently cupped her cheek. Eve didn't try to fight him or protest. Instead, she let out a deep breath and closed her eyes again.

"You don't understand," she whispered, biting her lip. Even though her eyes were still closed, Eros could see how she tried to fight off tears.

"I can't stay. As much as I would love to- I just can't. I- I have to go," she added, sobbing as the words left her parted lips.

"No, you don't understand, Eve. If I said that I would take care of everything- that is what I will do. I'm your mate, not a stranger. You don't have to do anything; there is no need to get out of the bed and run away again," Eros stood his ground. He didn't want to worry Eve, but he was waiting for the moment when she told him about the child. Eros wondered how long she would keep Ally as a secret.

"I know, but this is not about you, or us, Eros. It's hard to understand, but I really have to go, no matter how weak the doctors think I am. And don't ask how I know about the doctors- I'm in a hospital room, that's how," Eve smiled, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Eros wiped it off and leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. At first, he thought that Eve might try to push him away, but she didn't. She clenched onto his dress shirt and brought him lower, bringing their lips together in a much rougher way. Their kiss was passionate, full of emotions- love, lust, deep desire. When they broke the kiss, both panted for breath.

"I missed you too," Eros chuckled, seeing how red his mate's cheeks became because of the kiss alone.

"And I will miss you more," Eve added.

"No, because I'm not letting you go. Not anymore. I spent months acting like a psychopath, doing anything to find you. And then, you fall right into my hands- how could I let go now?"

"I know it's hard, but you must. As I said- this is not about us, Eros."

"I heard that, and I know where you're going with the excuses. Funny how I didn't manage to understand the reason for your absence earlier," Eros shook his head, stepping away from Eve's bed. He watched how she suddenly looked shocked.

"It's not what you think! I can explain, Eros. I don't have a lover, the only man in my life was you, and you still are! I would never put you in such a situation; please trust me!" Eve panicked, assuming the worst. If Eros got jealous again, she could kiss her freedom goodbye. It wasn't a game to play when a woman got mated to a shifter. Instead of outrageous anger, which Eve expected, Eros laughed. His eyes filled with mist, meaning that he was mind-linking someone. Eve thought of the worst- her daughter might never see her again. The Watchers would keep on looking for her to stop at the brick wall, accepting that Eve isn't alive anymore.
The woman scolded herself mentally- the habit of assuming the worst outcome was starting to annoy her. No matter what the result for their meeting would be- Eve will keep on fighting. First, for the safety of her daughter, and then for her love. As much as she wanted to have both, Eve had to put her priorities straight, and unfortunately, she couldn't choose happiness over her child's life. Eve watched Eros until his eyes returned to the regular royal blue. The man smiled and sat next to her, helping Eve to sit up, and throwing a hand over her shoulder. Eve looked at him as if he were mad, acting like he got something on his mind.

"What are you doing?" she questioned his shady behaviour. Eros had something planned for her, no doubt.

"A surprise, you'll see, just wait," he smiled, pressing a quick kiss on her cheek.

"I hate surprises," Eve lied. She loved surprises if they were pleasant, but since the situation was the way it was, she couldn't know what type of surprise it was. Should she fear or await whatever is to happen?

"You will love this one; I assure you that you will." He didn't stop or back off, Eve wasn't left with a tiny place for an argument.

So, she decided to take a risk, sucked in a deep breath, and spoke up.


"The reason why I have to leave is a child, Eros. I can't deal with surprises and distractions right now. The little bundle of joy must be scared and lonely since I went missing. I know that you will hate me for this, and I don't blame you, but you have to find out. And I think that it's better if you find out the truth from me rather than strangers. You have a child, Eros. A daughter, very fast-growing one.”
“She is absolute perfection; Ally looks just like you- same hair, eyes, and sarcastic nature. All in all, she is the mini you, not me. I left for that job interview and promised her to be back by the end of the day. Imagine a four-year-old waiting for her mother to come back home. Imagine her, thinking that I broke my promise. You can meet her, but I have to get back and make sure she's okay. Yell, scream, hit me for as much as I care, but don't blame her. The decision was mine. I couldn't birth a child with a target on her back as soon as she leaves her mother's womb, if not earlier. I'm sorry for being the crappiest mate alive for being so fucking trusting and cowardly whenever we face difficulties. But now I will ask you again- please let me go." Eve poured out her heart as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn't care about what happened after she got back to her child- all that matters was getting back to Ally in the first place.

"Close your eyes, my love," Eros whispered in her ear.
Without any fight, Eve did as she was told, for once listening to his words. The woman understood how many mistakes she had made during the time they spent apart. Eve wanted to become the best mate for Eros, as soon as she made sure that Ally was safe.
The silence filled the hospital room, and after a couple of minutes, Eros started counting back.

"5"

"4"

"3"

"2"

He didn't say one, as the door was kicked open with a great force. Multiple footsteps sounded from the hall, but one in particular, seemed like it didn't fit in.

"Mommy!" Ally yelled. Eve gasped, afraid to open her eyes and find that it was her imagination playing tricks on her. She felt how someone sat on her lap and placed small palms on her cheeks.

"Mommy, wake up, this is not a dream. I ran to find you, and daddy found me first," Ally added.

Eve opened her eyes, laughing loudly and wrapping her arms around her child. Eros did the same for both of his girls and held them both in a tight hug.

"I told you that you wouldn't have to leave," he whispered in Eve's ear, brushing his lips against her earlobe.

"Now, when we're united, I won't need to hunt for a dad. Isn't this awesome, mommy? We're a real family, all together." Ally grinned, enjoying the warmth of her parent's bodies.

"I think your mommy is just starting to realize what is happening, baby," Eros spoke to Ally. Eve kept quiet, trying to understand what had happened while she slept. For a couple of minutes, she wanted to follow her last memories but soon dropped the overthinking part. She had her own little family and thinking about unimportant things, instead of enjoying the moment, would be too foolish.

"We are family," Eve whispered.

"A family," Eros agreed.