Wildfire

Chapter 13

Shiloh

I find Rue in the laundry room, curled up in a pile of my clothes. Whimpering in his sleep. His fox was crying out to my wolf. Begging, pleading with my wolf to comfort him and his human.

I bite my lip, kneeling down on the hardwood floor. I slide my hands under Rue's soft fur, lifting the small fox into my arms. He stirs but does not wake. I carry him to my bedroom as carefully as I can, not wanting him to be shaken from his sleep.

"I'm so sorry," I murmur, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Rue's head. "I've been such a bad mate."

I lay him down on the bed, taking off my shirt and sliding in next to him. I pull the covers over us, watching as Rue burrows close to my body.

Rue shifts back into his human form, his sad brown eyes opening slowly. He wraps his body around mine, turning to the side and slinging his leg over my hips. Dragging me closer. His arms snake around my waist, keeping me pressed tightly against his form.

I return the gesture, holding him snug against my chest. My hand wanders over the stretched skin of his stomach, fingers delicately trailing over the pink jagged lines.

Rue places his hand over mine, rubbing my knuckles with soft, feather-like touches.

"I'm sorry I was an asshole to you. I just... all my life I've wanted nothing more than to have a large family with my mate. I loved children and wanted many of my own. It felt as if my dreams were ripped away from me and I acted out of hand. I wasn't fair to you. All I ask is why... why don't you want to have pups?"

For a while it was silent. I listened to Rue's soft breathes while I waited for his response. And after the long drawn out silence, he finally speaks.

"When I first got pregnant I was ecstatic," Rue says. My breath catches in my throat, heart skipping a beat.

"I was going to be a mother. I was full of joy, that day. My husband was excited to be a father as well. Our first official ultrasound revealed to us that our baby was a girl. Malcolm was upset, but it was almost expected. It was common for a man to be a little disappointed. Wanting a son to teach things to. To throw a football with. But he eventually got over it, ready to be an amazing father to our little girl.

"Days after I gave birth to her, my daughter Rosemary died. She suffocated under a blanket while we slept. I was heartbroken. I couldn't eat or sleep for weeks after her passing. I couldn't help but feel as if it was my fault. I just returned from the hospital that day. Malcolm drove me home and immediately went to work, needing to go in for an urgent matter that couldn't be dealt with any other day.

"I still couldn't move without it hurting. I was sore and didn't want to walk to her room to put her down for bed. So when Malcolm came home from work that night, so tired he could barely walk straight, I told him to put her in the crib. He tucked her in with a loose blanket, not thinking anything of it. The next morning I went to go check on her only to find her lifeless body."

"Goddess, Rue. I had no idea. That must have been so terrible."

Rue holds up his hand. Looking deep into my eyes. His were shimmering with tears. Telling me he was far from done with his story. I cradle his head close to me, giving him the only thing I could offer now.