Chapter 115

Avery’s pov His eyes widen and they drop to stare at my stomach in surprise. “V,” his eyes lift to mine, searching them and I nod.

“I’m pregnant,” I whispered, my heart skipping as I wondered if he would like the news or not. I bit the inside of my cheek, scared of his reaction.

“I just found out not too long I admitted.

His eyes filled with tears. “Avery,” those tears snake down to his hairline. “I’m sorry,” he cried out, voice trembling with pain. “I’m so sorry I did this to you.” He gripped my shift in his hand, wrinkling it.

heart racing. “What are you I hold his hand, my heart racing. “What are you sorry for?” I whispered. “You did nothing wrong. It takes two to tango,” I cracked a shaky smile and flick my eyes down to his hand.

“Beside, I kind of love that I have a part of you growing inside me.” I look just in time to catch the emotions in his eyes. Fear. Love. Yearning. Doubt.

“You don’t understand,” his voice cracks, causing my heart to shatter with it. I didn’t like to hear him this way, nor see him like this.

“I understand enough to know that I am going to save you for us both,” I said firmly and Xade’s eyes reared up even more as he shook his head.

“You don’t understand baby,” he whimpered, moving my hand over his so he can grip me and tug me closer to him. I kneel beside the bed and his head draws closer.

He looks me in my eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t resist you Avery. I caused this. If I had just not-

I press my finger to his lips, silencing him. “Everything happens for a reason, Xade. It was meant to be.” I looked back at Xaden who is watching us across the room.

“Tell me how I can save him.” I urged, hating how shallow Xade’s breathing became.

Xaden steps forward. “What my brother is trying to make you understand Avery is that saving his life can potentially end your life.”

My breath hitches. “This is why I didn’t want to mark you fully,” Xade’s weak voice says softly, pulling my attention right back to him.

“If I did,” he coughed, pressing his palm to his mouth and when he retracts it a bit of blood decorated his palm crimson. My heart pained.

He looked at me with heavy lidded eyes and I know he was tired. He continued in a soft brittle voice. “There was a chance you’d die because you won’t be able to be strong enough for a wolf’s mating mark.”

I looked back at Xaden for confirmation. “You talk about mark. A wolf’s mating mark? Why does he need to mark me?”

Xaden looks at Xade and then back at me. “Because you two are mates.”

“Mates?” I tasted the foreign word on my tongue.

Xaden pushes his hands in his pockets. “In our world mates are destined, bounded by a fate that entwines both souls into one,” his eyes move to Xade and back at me, now more serious than ever.

“The bond between mates are powerful, one not easily broken. Marking is a way to solidify the bond. It’s like human marriage where the couple vows to be together forever until death do you part. Basically a mate is a wolf’s other half, their destined partner.”

I try my best to understand everything he had just spilled out to me. It’s a lot to take in, but for everyone’s sake it would be best I understand as much as I could.

“So Xade and I are mates?” I questioned.

Xaden nod. “It’s rare for a wolf to be mated to a human but when it does happen, one ends up dying. It usually is the human since their frail bodies can’t withstand the mark to heal quick enough. Xade didn’t mark you fully because there’s a high chance you won’t be able to survive it. Especially since he’s an alpha-

“You don’t know that.” I cut in sharply and snapped my eyes to Xade’s. “I have chosen you many times, always. I swore to death do us part, I swore I’d love you forever. Yet, isn’t it enough to have some hope that I can do this?”

I glared at him. “This should’ve been my choice to make.” I scan my eyes over his weakened body, angry that once again he tries to protect me.

“Avery-

“No.” I snapped firmly. “You’re not in any position to deny me of what I want or tell me what to do. This is happening,” I leaned low, steeling my eyes on his angrily. “You’re going to mark me and I will show you just how strong I am.”