Adin POV

A week without Altan has been ok. Two weeks have been tough. I miss him so much and the twins have found their mates so they no longer live here. Matty has forgiven me so that's been ok.

"Another round of shots please?" I ask the bartender.

"Coming right up." He made me six more shots.

"What are you doing here Adin?" I turn and look at Dominic.

"Drinking, what's it look like?" I down another shot.

"Since when do you drink? You've never touched drugs or alcohol in your life." He said.

"People change." I sighed.

"The real question is, what are you doing here? This is rogue territory and you smell like you belong to a pack." I downed two more shots feeling it now.

"I can take care of myself Adin." He looked mad.

"I know you can. Now, if you'd excuse me. I like to drink in peace." I sighed.

"Not a chance." He said picking me and throwing me over his shoulder.

"I forgot how hot your ass looked. In these pants, they look hot." I smirked.

"Well too bad you can't touch." I pouted.

"So you're not here to take me back?" I asked as he put me in the car.

"Baby steps." I sighed.

"I apologized to everyone I've wronged and tried to make up for what I've done but it seems like no one has noticed. The saying is 'actions speak louder than words'."

"I apologized and I've been putting in the work." I sighed.

"Sometimes it just takes time. You've heard the saying 'time heals all wounds' right?" He asked.

"I have and there isn't much time left. Look, I have cancer." I said being serious.

"W-what?" He asked in disbelief.

"When did you find out?" He asked, looking at me for a second.

We were pulled over by now

"A week ago, I have stage two osteosarcoma and stage one leukemia." He looked at me mortified.

"Don't look at me like that. We all know I'm better off dead and it's good no one is around me. I can die alone and no one has to know." I said in a sarcastic overjoyed tone.

"You've caused so much pain and hell in people's lives but you don't deserve to die alone. Especially not like this. Did you even tell Caleb or the twins?" I sighed.

"Telling the number one person who I've caused pain not once but three times, yea let me get right on that." He sighed. Why would I tell Caleb of all people I'm dying? He'll be happy I'm sure. He gets his revenge and custody of Altan. I've already drawn up the papers and signed them.

"He still deserves to know Adin."

I just looked out the window as he drove me home.

"I didn't call to argue dad, I just called to tell you what's going on. I don't know what's going on or going to happen but he needs someone here." I sighed as I listened to Dominic and Brandon argue on the phone. It's been several minutes.

"Just don't tell anyone alright? Not until he tells Caleb and they figure out how to help Altan understand." He was pacing in front of my bed.

"Ok, I will." He said as he finally hung up.

"Dad says he hopes you pull through this." I just nod feeling tired.

"When you wake up I'll make food." I yawn.

"Thank you... for being here with me after everything." I said tearing up.

"You're still my best friend Adin, even if we had our ups and downs we made it work." I nodded, wiping my tears, and falling asleep.

"Wake up sleepy head." I groaned.

"I am never drinking again." I said getting up with my head pounding.

"Twelve vodka shots and two jack and cokes do that to a person." Dominic chuckled and I glared at him.

"As if you have an iron stomach and have never gotten drunk or hungover." I sassed.

"I have, twice. I've also gotten high but that's for another time." I looked at him shocked.

"You, mister high and mighty, I can do no wrong Dominic have gotten drunk and high?"

"Drunk, tipsy, hungover, high and crossfaded yea." He chuckled nervously.

"What? How? When? And why?" I was invested now.

"I got drunk and hungover at a high school party one night with the football team." I nodded wanting to know more.

"Tipsy at a separate party." I nodded.

"And high because I have chronic pains after a rogue fucked up my left leg so papa and dad allowed me to get a medical card." Huh, no wonder he limps at times after walking long distances.

"Ok." I chuckled.

"All teenagers experiment, don't be so shocked. Why do you think drinking and smoking rates are rising?" I huffed.

"Fair enough."

"Now eat." He said and I sighed. I haven't had an appetite in days.

He was looking at me intently waiting on me to eat, so I forced myself to eat.

"It's good, thank you. I missed your roast beef sandwiches." I said.

"Eat your soup too." He said walking out of the room.

After eating I took a much-needed shower. I pretty much let myself go and I look a mess.

"Do you wanna go somewhere today?" Dominic asked as I got out of the shower and found him on the bed.

"I'm too sore to move and this hangover is still kicking my ass." He nodded.

"Ok, I guess we can just watch tv and stay home." I nodded, laying down next to him.

The next few days Dominic has been my part-time caregiver on days he's not at work or helping his dad or papa. He's been the sweetest guy. He's been taking me to doctor appointments and helping me shower now that my bones are becoming weaker.

"How do you think Caleb is going to react?" I looked at the time.

"I honestly don't know. It can't be any worse than the twins yesterday." I looked out the window waiting for Caleb to pull up. He said he was going to drive up this time instead of using his necklace.

"They took it pretty hard. Even after you told them you had three months max." He said as he rubbed my back and I sighed.

"At least I got to know their mates for a little while." I smiled sadly.

"It'll be ok." He hugged me.

"I hope so." I sighed.

"Let's go eat, Caleb won't be here for at least an hour." I nodded.

"I hope I can keep it down this time." I sighed. Chidike has gone dormant so I'm pretty much human now.

"Just take a few bites." I did as he said.

So far I was able to eat without an issue which I was happy about. That is until the doorbell rang.

"Hey Caleb, guys and my mud monster." Dominic greeted Caleb and his mates.

"Hey, Dom." Caleb said and they walked in and Caleb locked eyes with mine and I sighed.

"What the hell happened to you? And why do you smell like death?" Caleb shot questions at me.

"Not now." I said and hugged my baby boy as he shot into my arms when they got here.

"Mama are you ok?" He looked at me and I put on my best fake smile.

"I'm fine my little mud monster." I ruffled his hair and he giggled.

"Dom, can you take Altan outside really quick?" I asked. This wasn't the time to tell my eight-year-old I was dying. I don't want him to turn out like me having the world on his shoulders.

"Sure, come on mud monster." He took Altan's hand and they went outside.

"Adin what the hell is going on?" Caleb asked, crossing his arms.

"Caleb I have cancer." I said not wanting to prolong the inevitable.

For a few minutes, he just stared at me along with his mates.

"This is some sick joke, right? This is some plan to try to get me back. That's what this is." He said.

I can tell he wanted to believe me but after all I've said and done I wouldn't believe me either.

"Adin's not lying. Why would they look so sickly if they were lying? Even Adin knows what lines not to cross." Dominic said coming to my defense.

"Don't worry I'm not asking you to save my life, just promise me you'll take care of Altan." I smiled weakly.

"I..." Was all he said before walking out of the house with his mates chasing after him.

Well, that didn't go the way I thought it would. I looked out the window to see Caleb sitting on the steps with his head in his hands and heard muffled sniffles and his mates were trying to comfort him. Why is he upset about this? He doesn't want anything to do with me.

I went to sit on the couch because I was feeling weak and tired. Altan came into the room and looked at me so I put my arm out to let him cuddle up with me.

"I missed you mama." Altan said as he cuddled as close as he could. I felt Chidike stir inside my mind for the first time in weeks.

"Oh I missed you too, so very much." I felt my eyes sting and choked on my sobs as I held him close to me.

"Mama what's wrong? I'm scared." He was crying looking at me and I couldn't bring myself to tell him, not yet. I was about to answer when I felt my stomach turning so I hopped off the couch and ran to the bathroom just in time to throw up in the toilet.

"Papa, mama's sick!" I heard Altan calling for Caleb and a second later I saw him running into the bathroom and he grabbed a washcloth and got it wet and he placed it on my forehead and it felt warm which was nice.

After I was done, he helped me up and turned the water on for the shower and I have no idea what came over him but he helped me undress, get into the shower and even washed my hair and body, all with gentleness, tenderness, and care. He didn't touch me in a sexual way, he touched me like a lover showing his partner he cares.

When he was done washing me he turned the water off and wrapped a towel around my shoulders and started to dry me off gently and he glanced into my eyes once in a while and I felt comfortable, wanting to know what is going on with him and why he is being so nice to me after all I've done.

He helped dress me and we sat on the edge of my bed and he looked at me and sighed softly.

"I'm probably going to regret this and I hope things will be better between us but, would you like to move in with us? We can help get you better taken care of, maybe if we have a bond your animal spirit will become stronger and start to heal you some and with treatments, you may be able to beat this. Altan needs his mama, you don't want him to grow up without you like you did without your mom do you?" He sure knows how to make me feel like crap, making me see things from his perspective.

"Let me think about it, alright?" I said and he nodded, softly pushing my hair from my eyes and I felt the tiniest spark at his light touch.

Is it possible we can be happy after everything? Be mates? I don't know but maybe, maybe there is hope for us yet.