Chapter : 915

“Where’s my baby…” she whispered, sounding utterly exhausted.

She lifted her head, her brows furrowed slightly as she winced. She was in pain. I put my hand on her shoulders, trying to get her to settle down and not move too quickly.

“Baby, you’ve been asleep for the last 24 hours. You need to take it easy. Let me get, Eliza.”

She didn’t argue with me, which was honestly surprising.

I didn’t waste any time. I rushed out of the room, nearly knocking into both Irene and Eliza. My heart broke when I saw the tears in Irene’s eyes, though she was startled to see me.

Before she could say anything, I turned to Eliza.

“She’s awake.”

Eliza gasped and rushed past me into the room. I met Irene’s eyes, and she wiped away a lingering tear.

“I’m sorry,” I told her. “You were right. I was being selfish. You didn’t deserve me shutting you out and sticking you with childcare duties. But I’m back now, and I won’t abandon you again.”

She stared at me for a moment longer.

“Are you just saying that because she’s awake?” Irene asked, her voice cracking slightly.

I shook my head.

“I was about to come after you, but she woke up before I could,” I explained. “Your words were enough to wake me out of my stupor. I’m so sorry.”

She sniffled and then stepped into my arms.

“I love you, Dad,” she whispered.

“I love you too, sweetheart,” I replied.

“You’ve been asleep for a while. We were starting to worry.” I heard Eliza saying to Judy.

I turned and walked back into the room with Irene trailing behind me.

Judy was sitting up; she looked a little better than she had a moment ago. She blinked a few times and looked around the room with a confused look on her face.

“I’ve been asleep the whole time?” She asked, “It didn’t feel like it was that long. I had the craziest dream…”

Her voice was raspy as she spoke, and Eliza was quick to bring a cup of water to her lips.

“Don’t strain yourself too much,” Eliza warned her. “Your body is still recovering, and you’re in resting mode. You’ve had all of us so scared.”

“I’m sorry,” Judy said softly. “I didn’t mean to worry anyone…”

“It’s not your fault,” Eliza told her, a soft smile on her lips. “Your family and friends

will be so relieved to hear that you are awake, though.”

Judy’s eyes met mine, and I went to her without hesitation, my hands finding hers: They were starting to become warm and full of life again. My wolf was immediately reconnected with hers, and felt good to be around my mate who was fully awake and funétional.

“Were you scared?” She asked, reaching up to touch the furrow between my brows.

“I can sense your tension and fear.”

I nodded, leaning into her touch and finding comfort in it.

“I was,” I whispered. “You’d be disappointed to know that I let my duties go while I

sat by your bedside. I’ve barely even held our son.”

Her eyes widened.

“What? Why? Is he okay??”

“Yes,” Irene said, stepping beside me, cradling our baby in her arms. “He’s perfect. Dad’s just been a mess and couldn’t properly care for himself while not knowing what was going to happen to you. But now that you’re awake, I’m hoping I don’t have to play super nanny anymore.”

“You abandoned our son?” Judy asked, narrowing her eyes at me. “I’m ashamed of you, Gavin. I didn’t go through all of this and birth him only for you to abandon him.”

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, tears filling my eyes. “I was too worried to function properly.”

“I want my baby,” Judy said, holding out her arms.

“Are you sure you’re well enough?” Irene asked.

“Yes,” Judy said without hesitation. “Please, give me my son.”

Irene looked more than relieved as she handed Judy the small bundle of joy wrapped in a soft blue blanket that her adoptive mother had knit over the past week. Judy’s expression changed immediately upon cradling our son; it was filled with serenity and love.

And I felt the same love surrounding me. I was selfish for not tending to our son

from the very beginning, but I won’t make that mistake again.

“He needs a name,” Irene reminded us, joining us in our little bubble.

“I wanted to wait for you to wake up,” I explained to Judy.

Judy’s eyes sparkled, and a small smile spread across her face.

“Ryder,” she whispered. “Ryder Landry.”