***Darius POV***

The doctor explained so much that I never knew.

There aren't any real apparent triggers sometimes and no actual cure exists.

Aubrey could lapse at any minute or never again.

Unfortunately, this isn't the best news. I don't want Aubrey to ever be in this state again.

It took all night for Aubrey to wake. When she did, she was quiet. I took her home and we all just observed her as she stayed to herself and ignored everyone, even me.

My heart hurt. I didn't know what to do.

"She will come around." Jackson comforted.

"She's never been this bad." I argued.

"It's been a stressful couple weeks. Give her time." Claire explained.

"Maybe she just needs tonite." Abi started.

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"If she flipped so quickly into an episode, she can easily flip back out." Abi continued.

"Let's hope so, cause I can't handle her being so still." I admitted.

"What if we took her on a run, let Amare out? Maybe it could help." Luce offered.

"Maybe." I agreed.

I tried talking to Aubrey but, she just stared off like she didn't even notice I was there.

***Aubrey's POV***

I hear them. I see them. But, I can't conjure the courage to respond.

I don't have any fucking answers.

It wasn't the worst of what I have experienced. However, this flashback was more real. I was locked in the moment. I felt it. I smelled it. I relived it like I was back there again. I couldn't do anything, just let it happen.

"Aubrey, let me take over. I'm gonna go run." Amare speaks up.

I don't respond.

"I'm pushing you back Aubrey. You will feel better. Let me protect you." Amare pleads.

***Amare's POV***

Aubrey wasn't listening.

I did what was needed. That's my job. I pushed her into the quietest space in our mind and I walked outside and shifted.

Everyone followed.

I got next to Ultor and I rubbed our fur against him so he could know we would be okay.

"Amare?" Ultor whined.

"I'm here." I confirmed.

"How is she? Darius is sick over this." Ultor asked.

"I pushed her back. She's shut down." I informed.

"Run with us sweetheart." Ultor pleaded.

We walked slowly at first, I stretched my limbs.

Soon we were flying thru the forest and I felt lighter. I know Aubrey is upset. She is worried because she doesn't think Darius will put up with her if she breaks down. It's hard to convince her right now.

"Why is Aubrey so upset?" Viribus questioned.

"She thinks Alpha doesn't want her." I scoff.

"That's insane." Robora barks.

"Can she hear us?" Custos questioned.

"No, she's blocked out." I promised.

"Did something trigger this?" Claire's wolf, Stella, inquired.

"She had a flashback, it was more vivid than any she has ever had." I exclaimed.

"I want her. I will never, not want her." Ultor cried.

"I know baby." I whispered.

"I love her more than my life." Ultor proclaimed.

"We love you." I promised.

We ran for hours. Aubrey started stirring and appeared to be coming more into herself so I decided to give her back control as we shifted back.

"I love you Aubrey." I cooed.

"Thank you Amare. I love you." Aubrey promised.

***Aubrey's POV***

I'm going to get thru this. I don't understand it. I'm happy. I'm so fucking happy. But, I just got lost in the pain of that moment.

Now everyone saw me weak and I'm scared.

"Can I go lay down?" I asked.

"Anything you want." Darius promised.

"I want to lay down, alone." I whispered.

Darius quietly followed me to the room. Once I was laying in bed, he kissed my head and started walking out of the room.

"I love you parvulus." He said as he closed the door.

"I love you too." I whimpered.

I closed my eyes and prayed for sleep that didn't involve my nightmares.

"He's perfect." She whispered.

I looked at his tiny nose, his tiny fingers and his stunning blue eyes. I smiled so widely as I kissed his head full of honey brown hair.

"My baby." I cooed.

"You did great parvulus." Darius praised.

"We did." I confirmed.

I held onto my child and rocked him slowly as I thanked the Goddess for my precious gift.

I'm so lucky.

I woke with a feeling of complete peace. Yesterday felt like a quiet echo. I just wanted to see my mate.

I jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. I showered quickly and threw on a pair of yoga pants and a band tee. Guns N Roses baby.

I was ready to start my day.

I ran down the stairs and was greeted to the sound of my friends. The smell of cinnamon rolls wafted towards my nose.

"Good morning besties." I yelled as I walked towards the stairs.

"Good morning!" They beamed.

I noticed Darius sitting at the head of the table and bounced over to him. I scooted into his lap.

I wrapped my hands in his hair and pulled his face to my lips. I kissed him slowly and moaned when he licked my bottom lip. I let him have the entrance he silently requested. I relished in the feeling of his tongue in my mouth.

When we broke away, I kissed his whole fucking stunning face.

"I love you so much." I breathed.

Darius hugged me into him as his head buried into my neck.

"I love you baby." He snuggled into my shoulder.

"I'm sorry." I cooed.

"It's okay." He promised.

"I can't promise it won't happen again." I started.

"But, I swear I will never give up." I told him.

"I got scared." Darius explained while holding my face close to his.

"I was scared to." I spoke honestly.

"How are you feeling Aubrey?" Jackson reluctantly questioned.

"Hungry." I smiled.

"What do you want to eat?" Claire asked.

"I can make it." I told her as I climbed down off Darius' lap.

I walked into the kitchen and cooked a ribeye. Then I sautéed onions, garlic and potatoes. I cut up a lime and sliced tomatoes. Then I opened a can of asparagus and drank the juice. I grabbed a jar of pepperoncinis.

I sat down and pigged out with a glass of coke to wash it down.

"Aubrey that's disgusting." Abi laughed.

"What?" I shrugged.

"It's six am." Luce laughed.

"I'm hungry." I moaned as I drank the pepper juice.

"You're gonna get sick." Bryan lifted his eyebrow.

"Nah." I laughed.

I ate the limes and my mouth watered as I finished my plate.

"Baby, are you okay?" Darius asked.

I let out an obnoxiously large burp and patted my stomach.

"Gross." Claire laughed.

"Ten." Jackson fist bumped me.

I just busted out laughing.

"So regal." Darius laughed.

"So your's." I winked.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Darius kissed my head as he cleared my plate.

"What we doing today?" I asked.

"Pack training." Bryan informed.

"Yes!" I jumped.

"Since when do you like training?" Bryan asked.

"Cause I'm gonna kick your ass." I winked.

"This I gotta see." Ethan beamed.

An hour after we ate we went to the training fields and got started training with the pack.

I felt energetic and excited.

Bryan decided we would do one on one combat between mates. I smirked.

"Come on sexy, don't go easy on me." I taunted Darius.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Darius winked.

He didn't lie either.

Darius and I sparred for forty-five minutes straight. He flipped me, kicked me, punched me and pinned me. But, I gave him hell.

He got his fair share of hits to his glorious physique.

Once Bryan called the match, Darius pulled me up and kissed me deeply.

"You're work outs are paying off parvulus." Darius praised.

"I'm going to be doing them regularly now." I commented.

"Let me know and I can help." He promised.

"Thank you baby." I kissed his chest.

Darius shirtless, is swoon worthy.

"We're done training. Great job everyone." Bryan yelled.

"Luna." I heard someone yell out.

I turned around and looked for the person calling my name.

I saw a young girl from our pack and walked towards her.

"How are you feeling Luna? I saw you last night at the hospital. I hope you're doing better." The child asked.

"What's your name sweetheart?" I asked.

"Sasha." She stuck her hand out to me.

"I'm doing much better. Thank you for checking on me. How are you?" I asked her while giving her a small hug.

"I'm awesome. I volunteer at the pack hospital. I'm going to be a nurse." She smiled.

"We are a lucky pack with you on the job, Sasha." I winked and she smiled widely before running back to her friends.

"Baby? Can we all talk over lunch?" Darius requested.

"Yeah, sure." I shrugged.

We did some more pack work and handled some files to prepare for the rest of the week. All too soon lunch came and I knew what they wanted to talk about.

"Can we go somewhere to eat? I want a sub." I asked everyone.

We ended up at a sandwich shop in the human realm. Their food tastes better sometimes.

I ordered a foot long Philly cheesesteak with grilled onions and mushrooms. I added jalapeños and got a basket of fries with chili and cheese. It was so yummy.

"Baby you have been starving today." Darius joked.

"I'm a growing girl." I laughed.

Darius kissed my lips and stroked my cheek.

"Aubear, we wanted to talk about what happened yesterday." Bryan started.

"I know." I whispered.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Ethan asked.

"I dreamt of one of the times my tormentor hurt me." I explained.

"Does that happen a lot?" Abi asked.

"Not really. Usually, I just brush it off. But, yesterday I felt like it was happening all over again." I spoke quietly.

"What can we do to help?" Claire questioned.

"I don't know." I admitted.

"I dreamt this morning too. It was extremely real as well. Except it was a good dream." I soothed.

"Well, I think you should talk to us any time you get a bad dream. Even if it doesn't trigger your panic attacks." Jackson orders.

"Yes, baby. We need to know so we can help you thru it. This was very scary and I was worried you would stay shut down." Darius begged.

"Okay. I just feel so weak. It's like a darkness that I can't fight." I cried.

"You aren't alone." Luce whispered as she hugged me from behind.

"You never have to fight alone." Abi comforted me.

"I love you guys so much. I'm so sorry I scared you." I confessed.

"You don't have to apologize." Ethan promised.

"Baby, mostly, I want you to know, I love you. I will always love you. I will always want you. I am never going to let you go." Darius proclaimed.

"Thank you." I climb into Darius' lap and cuddle into him.

"You don't have to thank me for being your husband and your mate. It is my pleasure." He spoke as he rubbed my back.

We went home. I felt lighter and more composed. It's hard when you face demons that are new to you. The flashbacks aren't new. But, the feeling of being helpless is.

I didn't lie. I will never give up. I didn't survive all these years in torment just to go down easily.

I'm just hard on myself because I expect to bounce back from anything and everything. It was disappointing to know I let something break me.

I know that with this family that surrounds me, I will never walk alone. That is all the strength I need.