Page 123 of Alpha's Redemption

“Only thing missing is our rumbling bellies and the rude nurses and midwives,” Zoe chuckles darkly.

“And the sneers and mutters, let's not forget those,” Macey says, and I swallow.

“This hospital is a little nicer, too,” I snicker, peering down at my daughter attached to my breast.

“It feels like a lifetime ago,” Zoe mutters, and I nod, looking around at our kids, at my sisters.

“That's because none of us are those girls anymore,” I tell them, and it’s true. All of us came from nothing and built ourselves up in our own images. We raised our children together, and we did it through blood, sweat, and tears. We did it despite not believing we could at the start, until we showed ourselves what we were capable of—showed ourselves we didn't need anyone because we had each other.

“We aren't alone this time. It's not the same. We aren't scared little rogue women with no names, no identities, and no chance. It's different becauseweare. It's different because we know our worth; back then, we didn't,” I tell them.

Macey nods, wiping a stray tear that escapes, and Zoe, I see, bites her lip to stop it from trembling.

“I know, it's just, I hate maternity wards,” Macey says, and I understand that fear; understand what it’s like seeing families gushing excitedly while we’re tucked away, not to be seen; understood the trauma that’s left behind from that experience. I know the feeling of walking out the hospital doors with a newborn in your arms and not knowing what you're doing or whom to turn to; not knowing how to provide for the baby in your arms when you can't provide for yourself.

“We'll get through this,” Zoe says, pursing her lips, a faraway look in her eyes, and I brush her lower back with my feet through the blanket, bringing her back from where her mind took her.

We all know that feeling of being so low we thought we would drown in our despair and fear—it's what brought us together. It's also what drove us to prove everyone wrong. We would be heard, seen, and prove to them and ourselves that we didn't need anyone. And we did just that. So I know Zoe is right—this is just another obstacle we’ll get through.

Because despite everything going wrong and finding ourselves back where we started, in a sense, it’s not the same. We’re far from that place, facing new challenges, but now we have the knowledge and drive backing us to overcome them. And most of all, we have each other and the village we built—the village we watched get destroyed and then rebuilt again.

Brick by bloody brick, we will rebuild the fractured parts of us. We won't bleed anymore. We'll patch those walls, repaint, readjust, adapt, and rebuild ourselves. We will morph into the next phase of life because life will continue, and we will continue showing it we aren't to be beaten.

We will show life that all our flaws and scars, the peeling paint and cracked crumbling pieces, don't mean we’re broken or condemned. No, those broken pieces, once put together again, restore and strengthen us, and just add character. They show the rough edges, but still, it comes together beautifully, just like I know we will again. Only this time, we have our mates behind us to help.

For so long, we relied only on each other and the routines we had built. We lived and breathed each other, leaned on each other or ourselves so much that it feels good to let go of some of that weight on our shoulders and breathe without restraint. And by the looks on the girl's faces as our mates walk in, they feel the same.

Gone is the fear of loneliness, burden, and responsibility, because we now have others willing to share it. And not out of obligation or expectation, but because they want to.

“Did you sort everything out?” I ask Valen as he comes over to me. He leans down, kissing my forehead and brushing baby’s cheek. Marcus is trying to steal the baby from Zoe's arms, while Tatum watches Macey hold Baby C, resting his head on her shoulder as he sits on her other side.

“Yes,” Valen whispers.

“What about Carter?” Macey whispers, her glistening eyes flicking to Zoe and then Tatum. He pecks her cheek.

“I'll help you organize the funeral,” Zoe says, and Macey chokes.

“I'm sorry. I know–”

“He was your mate,” Zoe says simply, glancing at Tatum.

“And as much as I wish I was your fated mate, I understand you need to put this behind you,” Tatum whispers to her.

“I doubt anyone will go, but it didn't feel right leaving him there to rot,” Macey states, looking down at my daughter.

“You don't have to explain yourself, Macey. You know this,” Zoe tells her.

“I know it's just–”

“It's because you're not a monster like he was. And I don't expect you to pretend not to care, Macey, just because of what happened. We will be standing right beside you,” Zoe tells her with finality in her voice.

“That leads to another question I have for you, Zoe?” Valen says beside me. Marcus growls, the sound threatening, and Valen presses his lips in a line.

Zoe looks at Valen questioningly before sighing loudly.

“Let's hear it, then,” she states. I see her walls go up as if she’s about to take a blow. I had hoped Valen would hold off, but I supposed it needs to be taken care of.

“Amber handed over the location her new mate was hiding out at. Derrick has him in the cells. He’s the last one; we found out Carter killed the other. But–”

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