Chapter 18

ALEC

The night Drew was born, he radiated with such power. There was so much danger in his way, and I need to protect him at all costs. More and more shapeshifters were coming to light. Those we thought we could trust; we couldn't take any chances. Drew is a 4-month-old pup who is getting bigger and stronger. Vanessa had completely detached herself from everyone, including him. She feeds him and then leaves. She hides in the woods doing spells. I don't think she ever forgive herself for what happened to Alias.

We were all around watching her cuddle the little pup in her shoulders. I never saw a smile as perfect as this one. I reached into grab my phone and snapped a quick picture. But when that happened a loud bang erupted from the window, breaking the glass. Alias knew where it was coming from shoving Vanessa and the pup away. I ran outside, and there was nothing in the distance. No scent. Warlock. I heard Vanessa scream like she never screamed before. It was full of pain. I ran back inside, and she was holding on to Alias, who was shot. He was bleeding out. Blood was spilling out of his mouth; her mate Mark was bleeding as if it was rejecting.

"He is dying Alec, he is dying" She screams in pain. She is holding Drew in his chest, trying to give him a reason to fight for it. He lifted his hand and placed it on his pup.

"You take care of your mom; she is the best one you'll ever have" He was choking up his words.

"Alias please do not leave me, we have a son to raise. Don't leave me" He smiled before his hand when limp. He was gasping for air, choking on his blood.

"Vanessa can't you do something?" She looked at me as if she wanted to kill me.

"No, my magic only restricts others, not my mate." She was now crying hard, as she tried to use her magic and it was not working. The pup was making whining noise, and Alias just held him as tears flowed down his eyes.

"Vee. *cough cough* Take care of our son. He has to *cough* I know I love him. "

He used the last of his strength to bed down and kiss his son. He coughed some more right before he went completely limp. I quickly went and grabbed Drew from her hands, as her mark was bleeding out. She crouched over and unleashed every sorrow before her eyes started glowing, her mark was completely submerged in her blood. She darted outside and made the call of a widowed wolf.

Everyone quickly came out. They noticed her mark bleeding. They all howled out of respect and bowed.

I spent the most time with baby Drew. He was walking a lot more and playing. But he showed more strength. He burped and sometimes people ended up tripping on air. I loved this kid more than anything, and I wish Vanessa could too.

I see her walking in her world form, as Drew walked up to her and taking her milk in. She laid down, as her glowing red eyes looked in despair. Her mark was scabbed up, fading out. I know that's the only reason why she is acting the way she is.

"Hey, are you doing okay?"

"Yeah"

That was her answer every day. She never spoke to me, unless it was about those in training, or blooding testing everyone. The pup stopped feeding, right before he started biting at her legs to play. She just laid there and let him. But for the first time she used her paw to cuddle him into her black fur. I see her eyes glossing up, and I am thinking the loss of Alias had triggered her PPD. She cuddled Drew so much he was filled with joy, and something started happening. He started yelling, as he was shifting. She shifted back into her human form, completely shocked.

"Did you show affection cause him to shift?" I asked with a little passive aggressiveness in there.

"I don't know, this is new to me. We watched as the world came to be a 7-year-old boy. Welp that’s wolf years for you. My eyes widened. He had tan skin, with red grey eyes, dirty blonde hair almost like ashes. He stretched his arms out before he spoke.

"Mommy, I did what you told me to do. I pictured myself human and I am human." He ran quickly wrapping his arms around Vanessa. He looked just like Alias, and her eyes just filled with tears.

I saw my son shift to a human for the very first time. I was feeling sad today, and when my son nuzzled into me my heart was starting to feel warm. I cuddled him to him, and that caused him to shift. Have I neglected him for so long that it took him that long to shift? Drew ran up and hugged me. I bent down and picked him up. This is the first time I've hugged him, and it was the very thing I needed to make me smile. I saw his hair, and eyes. I saw Alias. I miss him so much, and all I did was betray him.

VANESSA

"I love you Drew" His gripped hold held me tighter to my words. I've neglected him for too long, and that made me a crappy mother. But every time I saw him, I saw tears as Alias passed away. I felt a warm hug over us and looked to see Alec smiling. He kissed my cheek.

"I'm sorry" Is the first word I say. He has been nothing but great as I mourned my mate. I think now is the time to get the ducks in the row, as they said.

"It's okay baby, we all heal and mourn in different ways. I am glad Drew gets to see his mother" Such a painful memory, but this man has proven to me he is worthy. I place Drew down.

"I have some things to figure out, can you get him some clothing. I don't know how children dress." He chuckled, which I found not funny but okay whatever makes his boat float. Like the kids call it.

"Alright kid, let's get you dressed" I saw him jump into Alec's hands. I wish Alias got to see how well his son is doing. To do the things that dads are supposed to do.

"Dad can we get ice cream, like what you're always eating?" I twisted my head as I was walking away. I saw a nervous look on his face, right before he smiled at Drew.

"Sure, we can grab some, once we get you dressed. Maybe your mom can join us." I sighed at his proposition. I know I needed to be more active, but something was pushing it. I need to train Drew. He was not in control of any magic, or his world.

"Drew, when you're done getting ice cream. We need to begin training. I have some things to get handled." He frowned but nodded. I know it should be different, but I was a kingless queen. I had to take over his job. There were responsibilities to be handled.

"Also, can you show me a telephone device when you get a chance? I need to get more modern." He snorted out the water he was drinking.

"It's a cell phone, and sure I will show you tonight my mate"

I went inside to get a deep shower. The hotter the better. The water dripped down my body, washing away all the dirt from the last few hours. I sent my parents entering the pack house, which shows I've been here for hours. I started wearing a watch that suggests the time. One thing Alias taught me is that there is always room for improvement. So, we started learning today's things. I've been in the city, and learned humans are a weird kind.

I stepped out of the shower and entered my room. The faint spell of him still lays here, and it gives me some comfort. I slipped on some black skinny jeans, and a regular V neck, with some converse. I met up in the kitchen.

"Mother, father I am glad you can make it." They sat down in front of me concerned.

"Drew shifted, he is now a boy" I explained.

"That is great, that means he can be a normal boy. They have a pack school for him to be smart" My dad explained.

"He needs to train and get everything under control. There are too many shapeshifters preparing for war. He is going to be stronger than most. Yet easier to kill."

"Listen we don't mind taking the throne, while you handle training him dear."

"That is off the table, this is my kingdom. That is my son. But no one knows that they are able to conceive. We are going back to old traditions. No one gets pregnant without permission. They wanted me to stay pregnant so that I wasn't able to fight back." I demanded.

"I will handle that for you sweetheart." My mom answers.

"Thank you, mother, father there is something you can do. You can start assisting in the training. Old meets new fighting. We need to step things up, with the silver induced pain." My dad looked at me in horror. Silver affects most wolves, except for me. But by making them drink tiny amounts and burning them. Then this must be the best solution.

"My daughter, back then that was okay. These new ages see that as abuse." I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. I don't remember asking, but I am telling him that's what’s happening.

"We are doing it, the more immune the better. Next order of business I don't want to be rushed into having a new king. Alias hasn't been cold a year" The thought of replacing him already just didn't feel right.

"Daughter, tradition is tradition. A queen can't be without a kind. You have a mate, why not make him your king." My mother asked me.

"Things are too new, and death is too fresh. My mark hasn't even shredded its scab yet. I am not ready to let him go; I had chosen him. I lost him before he could really know his pup" The tears started to form in my eyes again. The pain in his eyes when he started bleeding out. He was using all her strength holding onto Drew, savoring the last moments with his son. When his body went limp, and his eyes started shutting. I. I. I felt something die inside me, and my mark was melting off.

"Vanessa, rules are rules. You either pick a King or give up your throne. That's how it's always been" Once again I am at a crossroads. I was feeling angry, so I stood up and walked away without saying anything.

"Vanessa, get back here." I heard my father call, but he is the last person I need to be nagging at me. I went out just in time, where I had Drew running into my arms. I picked him up and held him there for as long as you can. Alec walked over and kissed me on my cheek.

"Hey pretty lady, come here often?" Once again, I don't know why he asks weird questions.

"I live here, of course." He laughed at me, and I still don't know why it's funny.

"It's a joke babe, obviously you do come here a lot." I raised my eyebrow still not understanding.

"Alec I am going to lay Drew down, no training for the day. Do you think you can stay with me so we can talk?"

ALEC

She said those words, and I had to contain the little wolf inside me yipping away.

"Sure, I can meet you in your room" I tried to play it cool, but it really came out desperate.

"Actually, would you mind if I meet you at yours? It's really depressing in mine" I reached over to her and kissed her on her forehead.

"I'll see you in a bit, but I may not be wearing clothes" I joked. I expected her to give me an eyebrow rise, but instead she smiled at me. I get to hold her once again, but what is it she wants to talk to me about?