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***Collin's POV***

Standing here, in this moment, I would have never guessed I would feel like this.

Lily, the woman who birthed me. The woman who had her whole life torn from her by love. She won't walk alone. That's my promise.

I just soak in the moment. My mind spinning in the what could have been. I shake the possibilities from my thoughts.

I focus on the here and now. This moment. This is what matters.

Landon stole too much. It is time I take what was always mine.

"Lily" I whispered as I stood before her in the hospital room.

"Coll-in" she shakily breathed out.

"Do you know who I am?" I requested in slow broken words.

"My son." Lily cried.

"I am so sorry." Her hands covered her face while she cried the words out.

I bent down to her and reached for her shaking hands.

I pulled her chin up and looked her straight in in her watery eyes.

She looked lost. She was in despair. Lily was suffering.

"You, you." I started.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." I exclaimed.

"I do." She pleaded.

"I am sorry that I believed Landon. I am sorry you were hurt by my decisions. I am sorry that your life was not as it was meant to be. I apologize for being your mother. You did not deserve any of this." Lily cried as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"You lived a pretty shitty life." I huffed.

Lily looked at me incredulously. She portrayed the shock she felt.

"You suffered." I complained.

I took in every crease of her beautifully tortured face.

"Me? I grew up with two amazing parents. I have two awesome sisters. I have a pack. I have never known hunger and I have never known pain. You have nothing to apologize for." I argued.

I could see the struggle. The battle she had been fighting within herself was painfully evident. She wasn't going to accept this easily.

"Collin, I missed out on your everything." Lily stated.

The smirk that blistered my face should have been frozen in time. I got you, Lily!

"Then don't miss out on anything else." I shrugged.

Her head tilted. Almost there.

"I can't do this to you. I won't ruin your life." Lily defied.

"Lily, the only way for you to ruin my life is by not choosing to be apart of it." I explained.

Reeling her in. Come on mom take the bait.

"I don't deserve you." Lily sniffled.

Snap. There goes my patience.

"No, Landon didn't deserve you. You didn't deserve the bullshit that came with that bastard." I spit.

"I can't argue there." Lily confirmed.

Ah, so she does have some sense.

"You wanna know what I think?" I smirked.

Just a few more pulls and those heart strings will belong to me.

"Sure." She agreed.

"I think that I'm lucky. I think that Goddess has brought you back to me. I'm thankful for that. I have two amazing parents and if you let me, I could use another." I began.

"I have a beautiful wife and you have two grand pups on the way." I informed.

If all else fails, use the kids. It's never too early to pull out the big guns.

She cried harder as I pulled her into a hug. When her tears spilled more freely, I sat beside her in her bed and pulled her into my arms. I rocked her as I continued.

My mother felt like warm rays of sunshine caressing my skin.

"My life has been amazing. Having you will only add to that. I want you as a part of my family and a part of my pack. You have not known kindness and you have not known love. You need that. I want you to have that. Someone needs to show you that you are valuable and you are loved. Let it be me. Let me take your pain. Let me replace your memories of torment with beautiful memories of peace and security. Let me be your hero. Let me be your son." 

Please.

"I don't want to cause problems with Elise and Carter." Lily whispered.

No need to be a martyr, Lily.

"They know I am here. They have encouraged me in this. You are as much their family, as mine." I promised.

I was telling the truth.

In that moment my incredible parents walked thru the door. Standing beside me, they offered their support.

I am one lucky fucker.

"Lily, my brother was a monster. He was a terrible excuse for a person. I don't know how you survived. You are so strong. I am so sorry for everything that piece of shit put you thru. I will spend the rest of my days making your life better. I promise, you are our family." My Mom, Elise, spoke.

My mama, Elise, never cussed. She was angry. I loved that she felt the need to protect Lily.

"Lily, I would never deprive Collin of a relationship with you. You two have lost enough time. It is time to correct that. We have grand babies on the way that will need you in their lives." My Dad, Carter, proclaimed.

Now you see where I learned to manipulate. Lol.

"Can I meet her? Your wife?" Lily asked of me.

"Of course. She will be here soon." I comforted my mother.

That would seal the deal. Ivana could melt the heart of a Satan.

"This is so much." Lily whimpered.

"It will take some time but, we will all work thru it." Elise promised.

"No, I mean, this gift. This treasure you have offered me is so much." Lily clarified.

Be still my beating heart. Fuck you Landon. I hope hell hounds feed on your rotting corpse.

"This life is what you deserve. Just because a demon tried to steal your life, does not mean he succeeded. Landon is gone. You will never have to fear that man again." Dad declared.

Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce the King of Persuasion.

"When can I get out of here?" Lily questioned.

"Whenever you are ready." I continued to hold her hands as we spoke.

"Where will I stay?" Lily wondered.

Silly Lily.

"You will stay either in the pack house, or you can have your own home. That is your choice. Whatever you are comfortable with." I distinguished.

I will build her a shoe to live in if she asks.

"The pack house for now please. I feel like I need to be around people." Lily confirmed.

"You can take the Alpha Suite. Ivana and I just moved into our new home." I agreed.

"You have nieces to meet as well. Alisa and Alivia helped rescue you and they are excited to get to know you." Mom offered.

"Yes, I would love that." Lily smiled for the first time.

"Let me have the doctor come check you over, I will get your room ready and we can get you out of here." I kissed my mother's head.

"Thank you." Lily whispered.

"No thank you necessary." I let go of her hand and made my way towards the door.

I felt like doing a little skip and whistling a tune. Perfect!

After getting Lily cleared for release, I spoke with Max and had him get my suite prepared. This life may not be exactly what I expected. But, it was more than I had ever hoped for.

Lily would fit in with our pack. My pups would know their grandmother. I would have the best of both worlds.

Ivana met us at the pack hospital. She spent time with Lily. Lily cried as she softly rubbed Ivana's growing belly. By the time we were ready to leave, with Lily in tow, the two of them seemed to be happy, friends.

It was a beautiful sight to see.

Once we made it back to the pack house, I took Lily to her room. She appeared to be excited. I was ecstatic.

Ivana promised to take her shopping tomorrow to get her belongings that she had not owned in too many years. I made sure she would take Lily by a salon and get her pampered.

I spoke with Alivia and she promised that Alisa, Lindsay and herself would go on the shopping trip as well. I really loved that idea. I couldn't wait to watch these relationships develop.

Landon was a cruel devil. I had never felt so much angst toward another being. Destroying Landon made me feel vindicated. Saving Lily made me feel blessed.

I spoke with Demetri and his parents, regarding Lily, in great detail over the last few weeks. It was only fair. They were our allies. I didn't want to change that.

To no shock, they agreed that I was making a sound decision.

I was surprised to find out that Grey and Shaela had been the ones to convince my mother of my existence.

I truly had the best people beside me in this life.

The danger of Landon was behind us. My pups were set to be born in a couple months. My family was being expanded and reconnected.

I hope one day we would run across Lily's real mate. I pray he is still out there somewhere. I would love to see her living her best life.

Lily has been a victim of a cruel fate. I could not fault her for the choices that were made for her. We have a long road to her recovery. Love will make that easier.

I set her up with our pack therapist. She may feel relieved at this moment. But, I will not risk her spirit. PTSD is bound to rear it's ugly head. I wanted to be proactive.

This weekend we are hosting a large bon fire to officially accept Lily as a member of the Red Moon Pack. I will tell you a little secret. I may have invited a few unmated wolves from other surrounding areas. Goddess knows I am not a match maker. But, I won't stand back and not try.

Ivana's family is also coming this weekend. We are throwing her a surprise baby shower. She has been missing her family. I am flying them in as part of her surprise.

Hopefully, the vampires will get along with us wolves. If anything it will be a good show.

The Crescent Moon Pack will be here as well. We have jointly bought the property between our packs and will start expanding our territories to meet in the middle.

I think we have created a perfect alliance and Demetri agreed.

As Demetri and I are still new to our Alpha duties, we have recruited our former Alpha's and Beta's to help us grow and become a stronger group. They whole heartedly agreed with the direction we were moving in.

With so much love and strength between the two packs, nothing would ever take us down.

My own pack had went from less than 300 wolves to more than 500 wolves and one vampire. The rogues were quickly becoming a great asset. They trained diligently and heeded my authority. I would never abuse that trust.

The former rogues had suffered as much as Lily under Landon's rule. I would spend my remaining days fighting against that outcome again.

I find it ironic that I never wanted to be an Alpha. Yet, here I am. I enjoy knowing I have the power to change lives for the better.

I'm looking forward to this new future that has presented itself before me. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. Today has proven as much.

We were all headed into good things.