I looked down at my baby and all I could feel was happiness. Shayne was at my side running a finger up and down our baby's cheek. It was the most perfect moment I had ever experienced.

There was a light knock in the door. Reluctantly, Shayne stood up and opened the door. With one nod both Bre and Jake came rushing in. Sam trailed behind the two. All three froze in front of as they started at the small baby in my arms.

"Please tell me it's a boy." Jake said.

"Please tell me it's a girl." Bre said hopeful.

I smiled at both of them. I looked at Sam who shrugged. I guess he didn't want to guess what the baby was.

"Everyone, meet Eleanor." I said, holding my baby girl up for them to see.

Jade squealed and rushed to my side. Jake groaned but still beamed at me. They all took turns holding my baby. The entire time Shayne was at my side looking tense.

You okay? I asked through our mind link.

My wolf is just being over protective. He doesn't want anyone hurting our baby.

I squeezed Shayne's hand reassuringly and smiled. I liked that Shayne was protective of our baby. I loved that little spark in his eyes every time he was looking at her. Every time Shayne looked at me I saw the love he had for me. No matter what has happened I can be assured that Shayne loves me just as much as I love him.

After thirty minutes of my baby girl being passed around Shayne finally kicked everyone out. I was exhausted and my body felt sore. I was starting to heal but it didn't stop it from being uncomfortable. I felt like I needed more than just a few hours of sleep. I needed to crash and sleep for the next few days.

But I couldn't close my eyes as I held my little angel in my arms. She was so small and sound asleep. Her little chubby cheeks were coated pink and her lower lip was pushed out making her look like she was pouting. I was sure she got that from Shayne. Goddess, she was just so amazing. This was my baby girl.

"You should sleep." Shayne said.

"I don't want to." I protested.

"You have to at least try." Shayne said. "Lisa said you were more than halfway dilated when you really started feeling the contractions."

"I think I had felt them since I woke up. I guess I didn't pay much attention to it."

"Well now I want you to rest and I'll take care of Elle."

I grinned at hearing Shayne give our baby a nick name already. I had all this excitement bubbling inside of me. I was at the happiest moment in my life. I had my baby in my arms, Shayne was at my side and for just a few moments we could forget about everything.

But I knew that soon things would change. I had a plan that I needed to start taking action in. Shayne was right when he said I needed to rest. I needed to regain my energy so that I could have to strength to do what needed to be done.

I already have my master plan in mind. I needed to talk to Caleb soon and find a way to get to Rider. I needed to be careful about this so Shayne wouldn't find out. If he found out what I was planning he would probably lock me up....again.

"Alright, but just for a little bit." I said.

I wrapped the new clean covers around me and snuggled in bed. Shayne was sitting on the side of the bed holding Elle in his arms. I smiled at them and let my eyes flutter close. I felt my body relax and give into exhaustion.

When I woke up it was dark inside of the room. I was still groggy and my vision was blurred. Once I stretched out and felt fully awake I went into a panic. Shayne wasn't in the room and neither was my baby girl.

I shot up out of bed and immediately regretted it. My body was stiff and my lower area was still sore. I quickly went to the wardrobe and took out shorts and a tank top. I changed as quickly as I could and practically ran out of the room.

"Shayne?" I called out.

I didn't hear a response. I tried to reach Shayne through our mind link but he was blocking me. I ran down the stairs and ran to the kitchen. The kitchen was empty and was dark like the rest of the house.

I ran out of the kitchen and in the living room. I froze when I saw a dark figure sitting down on the couch. Even in the dark I could see the person sitting down and I could see that he was holding my baby girl in his arms. My wolf was on high alert now.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"There was a little situation." Eric said.

"What do you mean?"

"Rogues attacked and Shayne left with others to take care of it."

"And he just left you here to look after my daughter?"

Eric and I had managed to settle things down but that didn't mean we trusted each other. I was growing uneasy by the second as he continued to cradle my baby in his arms. I was trying to calculate how easy it would be to snatch her out of his arms without hurting her.

"He didn't want to leave the two of you but I agreed to watch after the two of you."

"Why would you do that?"

"I'm not a bad guy, Sage, I've just had a torturing past. If it makes you feel better, you have guards from Night Shade outside."

"No, that doesn't make me feel better." I said, lowering my voice.

"I told you I was going to give you the benefit of the doubt, didn't I? If what you claim is true then I want my chance at taking him down." Eric said.

Slowly I walked to Eric and reached down to take my baby. She had a soft cream blanket wrapped tightly around her. I sighed in relief when I finally had her in my arms. I walked to the couch opposite of Eric and sat down.

"I already told you that you can't do that." I said.

"Because Justin will get the honor of doing it." Eric scoffed. "He killed my mate and I deserve to kill that bastard."

"But what will that do? You'll still feel empty inside. Killing him isn't going to change the fact that she's gone. Don't you think that I don't want my vengeance? You both hunted me down to no end. Do you know how many times I was practically beaten? How scared I was for my life?"

"I already apologized for that."

"Saying sorry isn't going to fix anything. Rider robbed me of so many things. You both had it out for me and you more than anyone wanted me dead. You didn't even bother to consider that maybe I wasn't responsible for it. You didn't even stop to think how Rider has had it out for you. I get that you were hurt but you weren't the only one suffering."

"I lost my mate." He pointed out.

"As if that justifies your actions." I scoffed. "I lost everything. My family kicked me out and they act like I never existed. I had to leave my friends behind. I had to learn how to live like a rogue and I was constantly on the run. I've lost friends that I had made because of you and Rider. I was attacked several times and was almost taken advantage of. What kind of life do you think that was for me?"

"You were strong."

"I had to be. I had to be strong for myself and for the person I wanted to be one day. I had a plan on leaving everything behind. I was going to move out of the country and forget about the werewolf world. I was going to live my life as a human. I had that plan set in stone but then I found Shayne."

"He loves you."

"I love him too and it killed me when he found out I was involved in his sister's death. I never wanted any of this to happen."

"I can see that you're telling the truth. I don't want to lie to Shayne about what it is you plan on doing. You do realize that this could get you killed, right?"

"I'm doing the right thing. The only one who is going to die is Rider and I'll make sure of that."

"This is a stupid plan." He said, shaking his head disapprovingly.

"I never said otherwise." I said smiling. "But it's a plan that will work."

"I hope you're right and I hope everything goes smoothly."

"It will." I said. "By the ends of next week he'll be dead."

Eric and I watched TV for a while. I realized that he wasn't such a bad guy as I thought. Sure he was out to kill me but he had a reason. I would have eventually let him once I got tired of running. Eric and I weren't best buddies now but we were at least trying to get along.

After a while of waiting for Shayne to get back home I headed up to my room to feed Elle. She was still sound asleep when I placed her on the bed next to me. She was still wrapped up like a cocoon in her small blanket.

It wasn't until two to three hours later that Shayne finally got home. My wolf sensed him downstairs and she could feel when he was getting closer to us. He walked in the room with just shorts on. He had dirt and dry blood all over him.

"Are you okay?" I asked feeling panicked.

"Just a couple of rogues." He said. "Nothing we couldn't handle."

"They attacked?" I asked.

"Yes, but I'm not sure why." He said. "The few that surrendered are locked up in the cells."

"Is everyone okay?"

"Everyone is fine. Your brother and your friend are great fighters. It was good to have your brother in the pack." Shayne said smiling.

"I told you they were great." I said smugly.

"Yeah, yeah," He said waving it off. "I'm going to shower, I'll be back."

I watched as Shayne headed into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Again I fed Elle and changed her diaper. Her small hands gripping my finger and she brought it close to her. I smiled and wrapped the blanket tightly around her again.

I placed Elle in the middle of the bed and rolled over to my side. Shayne came back in the room shortly after. The bed dipped as he climbed in. We were both on our sides facing each other. He has a small smile on his lips.

"I could get used to this." Shayne said.

"Me too."

"You've made me the happiest man alive."

"You're so cheesy." I giggled.

"It's true, Sage." He said looking serious. "A lot of things have happened but I'm still happy that it's you who ended up being my mate and my everything."

"So cheesy." I said making us both laugh. "But I love you."

"I love you and our daughter. You've given me the greatest gift of all."

Shayne leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine. My heart was beating wildly in my chest and I felt warm all over. These were the kind of moment I wanted to live for. This is the reason why I had to do what I had to do.

"You're mine, Sage," Shayne whispered against my lips. "and I'm never letting you go."