The One

Chapter Eleven: Miley

Paul and Leah came into Emily's smiling and laughing with JJ. That was the first time I'd seen Leah happy in years.

"Oh, hey," Paul hugged me. "Can we talk, privately?"

"Sure," I said softly.

I followed him to the forestline. He started picking at the grass. Don't eat it, I wanted tease.

Paul pulled me into another hug. "I'm so sorry, Miles. I didn't mean to hurt you. That was never my intention. I wasn't even kissing Becca back-I'd pushed her away as soon as I realized what was happening.

"You and Jare are my life now. I'm not letting anyone get in the way of that, ever. Not Rebecca, not even Sam. I will follow you to the ends of the earth just to make sure you're happy, healthy and safe.

"The day I walked away from you on the beach...I was leaving my heart and everything that was me with you." He told me, his voice cracking a little. "I love you, Miley. You're the mother of my daughter and the love of my life. I'll never do anything to purposely hurt you. Could you ever forgive me?"

I hugged him tightly. "I love you, too, Paul. You were already forgiven. But..."

"But what?" He asked, worry flashing across his face when I trailed off.

"The cookies Emily made especially for you were delicious." I smiled.

He laughed and put on a serious face before tackling me to the ground. He started tickling. "Say you're sorry!"

"N-Never!" I laughed.

He continued to tickle me. "Say it!"

"Okay, o-okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry I ate your cookies!" I gave in.

He helped me up and kissed me. "I still love you...even if you ate the cookies."

I chuckled. "I love you too."

"Hey, are you two back together?" Emily asked us as we entered the kitchen.

Paul and I looked at each other. We both nodded.

"Well you two bounce back quickly." Jared kissed my forehead. "Keep my little sis happy, Lahote. Or we're going to have a problem."

"With me," Leah added.

Paul nodded.

Sam was asleep on the couch with JJ. I smiled. To say Sam and Em were like an aunt and uncle to JJ would be an understatement. They were like her grandparents. Not that they're old.

"He looks so peaceful," I whispered.

"Maybe when you're asleep, you're worry free." Paul suggested.

Sam had said we needed to go the clearing. I was about to join them, when he stopped me.

"You have a daughter," he said. "She can't grow up like Paul, he wouldn't want that. I'm ordering you to do this, Miley, it's not an option.

"Anything could happen. It could turn into a fight and we may not come home. If that happens, I need to know that JJ and Emily are in good hands, and that they'll be safe." He finished.

"Where's my mom, Sam?" I asked quietly. "Is she safe?"

"She's fishing with Charlie. They went to Fraser River for five days." He told me. "You'll have your mother back at the end of the week."

I hugged him tightly. "Keep the boys safe, Sammy." I said in the same tone he used with us. "Bring them home. Make me proud to be your beta."

He kissed my forehead and nodded. "I will. I promise."

He left the house with the boys and Leah. My biggest fear was that Colin, Brady, and the younger pack members wouldn't come back. Once upon a time, that had been Emily's fear. Now it was mine. They had so much life ahead of them, they didn't deserve this life.

I thought of them as my brothers and loved them as if they were my sons. I needed to keep them safe. If not me, then Sam needed to.

Losing any of them would be like losing my dad all over again.