The Gift chronicles novel Chapter 1

Book 1 Chapter 43

I blew softly on her face, making her sneeze and then giggle. I smiled softly at the little pup. She was as goofy as her father. I would protect her with my life for the rest of my days. When she was of age, I would train her so she would be just as fierce as me. I knew it was what Carter would want for her.

A hand suddenly grabbed my shoulders, and the familiar tingles and woodsy scent soon accompanied the touch. Cain.

He sat next to me on the floor. "May I?" He asked, reaching for the baby. I nodded and handed Lily to him.

He rocked her and bopped her nose, making her giggle. She really was the happiest baby. It broke my heart knowing she would grow up without a father. Even though I did, I wouldn't want that on anyone.

"How was your day?" He softly asked me. He had been incredibly gentle with me since Carter's death, knowing I was always seconds away from a breakdown.

I shrugged. Terrible as always, I answered honestly.

Cain frowned. "It isn't healthy for you to stay inside all day drinking. You'd feel better if you went out. Maybe trained or— "

I cut him off. Train? In the same training center where Carter took Gwen and I to throw knives, even though he knew it would piss you off?

My heart clenched at the memory. That was just the kind of person Carter was. He knew he would likely get in trouble by the Alpha for taking us, but he did it anyways to make Gwen and I happy.

"I know it hurts to lose someone, Ares, I do. But you can't keep drinking and holing yourself up all day. It isn't healthy and won't help you recover," Cain tried to reason with me, but my grief couldn't be reasoned with.

Gwen returned with the bottle of vodka. "Am I interrupting something?" She asked.

No, I quickly answered, thankful for the distraction. She shrugged and chugged a quarter of the bottle. I took it from her and took a large swig myself. I offered some to Cain, knowing he would decline. He sighed and shook his head. When Rose came back, he handed Lily back to her.

I'll be in my office, mate. Mindlink me if you need anything. Please try to somewhat limit your drinking, Cain begged. He kissed my forehead and left the four of us.

I watched as he walked away, and took another large drink, letting the alcohol heal me.

--

One week later

Tonight was going to be the first night that Rose was going back to her house. She said that she wanted to try to get back to normal, as normal as possible. I assured her that she really wasn't a bother, but she insisted that she had to gain back some control in her life. Gwen was also going to return to her house with Jax. I wondered if something was wrong between them, because Jax was hardly around the last two weeks. I assumed that he wanted to give us girls some space. Cain had been doing that, even though he lectured me every few days about my drinking habits.

The pack house felt empty as I waited for Cain to get back from work. I sat on the floor where I used to hangout with Gwen and Rose, feeling completely alone. I missed their company. When I was alone, I could feel the guilt and pain set back in.

To counteract the grief, I drank more, even though Gwen and Rose weren't here. It was the only thing that brought me comfort, especially when I was alone. I had never been much of a drinker before, but now, I couldn't imagine living without it. And yes, I realize how bad that sounds.

Cain came in about 2 hours into my pity party. He looked at me sadly as he took in the scene. Me, laying haphazardly on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles.

"Oh, mate," He said, setting a binder with some papers down. He wrapped his arms around me, and used his Gift to warm me up.

Hey, sexy, I said to him, appreciating his muscular body. I liked that he was always shirtless. It gave me more of an opportunity to check him out.

He pulled away, making me groan. I missed the warmth and comfort that came from his touch. The mate bond may be fickle, but it definitely was useful at times.

Cain narrowed his eyes at me. "You're drunk," He accused me.

And you're sexy, I said to him, my words slurring. Okay, maybe I was a little drunk.

I reached for the half drank bottle of tequila, but he beat me to it, and moved the bottle out of my reach. "I think you've had enough."

I glared at him. I think you should mind your own business, Alpha, I spat at him venomously. I may or may not be a mean drunk.

"You are my business, pup. And you need to stop drinking. You're becoming too dependent on it. It's getting out of control," He said softly, looking at me with pleading eyes, begging me to listen to him.

I don't know how else to deal with the pain, I mumbled, in a striking moment of honesty.

Cain wrapped his arms around me tightly. "I know, little mate. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but you'll get through it. You're the strongest wolf I know."