*The same evening*

Shawn's POV

After I finish my night routine, I put on a pair of boxers and socks and lay on my bed. I turn to look at the empty half of my bed and sigh longingly.

I really miss her. I wish she were here.

Amanda. She was the light of my world. I still remember the day I found out she was my mate very fondly. It was on my eighteenth birthday. I was so happy, but a little annoyed that I would have to wait a few more months to claim her since she was only seventeen at the time and wasn't aware of the mate bond yet.

I remember that even when she wasn't aware of the mate bond between us, she would still blush around me. She was such a cute little thing. I could stare at her baby blue eyes for hours and whenever we cuddle, I would always pet her soft blonde hair.

I also remember how she was so fond of her little orange cat, Whiskers. I found it really odd that a werewolf had a cat as a pet, since cats and dogs hate each other, but who am I to judge?

She was so sad when Whiskers died. She wouldn't stop crying for days. It was a little funny watching a  fully grown 21 year old werewolf cry over a cat. I heard Slade whimper in my head.

"I miss her so much." He tells me wistfully.

"I miss her too buddy. Every. Single. Day." The sadness is settling itself deep within me once again, as it does every night.

I wish so much that she were her with me. I wish I could cuddle with her and watch as she cutely curls up to my side. Oh, what I would give to kiss her soft lips one last time. Or to hug her again. It's my fault. It's all my fault she isn't here anymore.

I could never open my heart again for anyone else after her. She will be the only woman to ever have my heart. Besides, I deserve to die of loneliness like she did. She died alone and I wasn't there for her. I wasn't here for her in her last moments.

I didn't protect her enough.

I am a failure.

It happened three years ago. I was 25 and she was 24 at the time. I left the pack with Alpha Max to a meeting with another pack. It was when we were on our way back that I felt it. The pain of the bond ripping apart because of her death. It was the worst thing I ever felt and will ever feel in my life. We were just outside the pack borders by then, so I jumped out of the car and ran towards our house as fast as I could I wolf form.

But it was already too late.

When I got to the house, the whole place reeked of blood. I followed her scent to the kitchen and what I saw there will forever be burned into my memory. Her lifeless body laying on the floor in a pool of her own blood, blood pouring out of a stab wound on her chest.

It all was my fault.

Before I left for the meeting, we had a huge fight. Now that i think about it, I can't even remember what we were fighting about. I just know that I was really angry at her before I left. But I do remember that I said something really hurtful to her before I stormed out, and that's what hurts me the most.

I hate you.

Those were the last words she said to me before I left. That's why her death hurt me even more. I didn't mean to hurt her. I planned on apologising to her when I got back, but it was already too late. It hurts that we weren't on good terms before she died and I will forever regret that.

And the worst part is that I never caught who killed her. I wasn't able to get the justice that she deserves. The bastard is probably still roaming free, despite the pain they have caused me.

I didn't even realise that i had been crying until I felt the wetness of my pillow. This is how all my nights have ended for the past three years, with me pathetically crying myself to sleep. I honestly would have gone insane or taken my own life by now if it weren't for my son.

My son...

My little Jimmy. He looks exactly like his mother. He is the only reason I'm still sane right now. My only reason for living Every time I want to end my misery, I always remember that I have to stay strong for my little boy. I dropped him off with Amanda's sister, Lucy, two days ago.

Lucy is a babysitter and she offered to take care of Jimmy for me for a few days as she could see that I was exhausted from having to train the pack members and take care of a hyperactive five year old, and I can't say that she's lying. Don't get me wrong, I love my son with all my heart, but sometimes he's a little too much to handle. He is so bubbly and active. It's hard to keep up with him sometimes.

Still lost in my thoughts, I slowly drifted off to the land of dreams.

💤💤💤💤

I opened my eyes to see nothing. My eyes were open but it was so dark that not even my werewolf vision could pierce through the darkness.

What the hell?! Why is everything so dark. Where am I? What's going on?

Ever since Amanda died, I usually dream about her and the time that we had together whenever I go to sleep. That's why the night is my favorite time of the day, because I'll get to see her again, even if it is only in my dream,.

But now I'm enveloped in darkness.

"Hey Shawn." I snapped my head towards the sound of the feminine voice, but I'm still met with darkness. I don't know why, but that voice sounded vaugely familiar, I just can't put my finger on it.

"Who are you? And why is everywhere so dark?" I asked to the darkness.

"Oh yeah, sorry about that. Just give me a sec." I hear the sound of clapping and suddenly I can see a blinding light. It takes a little while for my eyes to adjust to the light but when they do, I can see that we are in a small clearing. "Is that better?" I hear the same voice ask and I turn towards it to find an extremely short red haired girl.

Like seriously, she's even shorter than Maria, and that bitch is short.

I couldn't help it. I bursted out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?!" She scowled at me.

"I'm so sorry. I couldn't help it shorty." I chuckled

"I... What.. you.. I'm not short you dickhead!"

"Sure you aren't." I sarcastically rolled my eyes. "So who are you and what the hell are you doing in my dream?"

"Wow. I'm so hurt that you don't remember me Shawn." What the hell is she talking about. I don't know her. Well, come to think of it, she does look a little familiar, I just can't put my finger on it.

It's right on the tip of my tongue.

And then it clicked.

"Ooooohhhhhhhh. You're that extremely annoying girl that Alpha Max brought back from that other pack meeting. The one that just. Wouldn't. Stop. Talking!"

"Yes, I am. And sorry about that, I was just bored."

"No problem. But what are you doing in my dream. And also, what the hell happened? I haven't seen you at all since the day I took you to Alpha Max's cabin."

She explained everything to me. That she was Alpha Max's mate, and everything he did to her since that day. From his attempt to rape her, to locking her up in a cell, to making her watch him cheat on her with Maria, and how he and Maria tortured and killed her then dumped her body. When she was done, I felt pure rage go through my body.

"So you're dead?"

"Unfortunately, yes, I am dead."

"So... I'm talking to a ghost?"

"Seriously? That's the only thing you picked up from this whole story?"

"Well can you blame me? I'm in a state of shock."

"Idiots. Idiots everywhere."

I shook my head. "I knew that Alpha Max and Maria are terrible people, but I never expected them to do something this horrible. But I'm still a little confused, why are you telling me all of this?"

"Because, I know that Max and Maria aren't the only terrible people in this pack. For the past week, my wolf and I have been observing everything that has been going on here and we've seen many people here do terrible things."

I nodded in understanding and spoke, "I know. A lot of people her are really bad. That's why our pack has a reputation of being ruthless, that's why most other packs are afraid of us."

"Yes. And that's why I'm here. I need your help."

"And why exactly would I help you?" How can I trust her? For all I know she could be try to fool me.

"You're going to help me because I'm going to give you important information about your son." I growled in her face.

"What about my son?"

"When you wake up from this dream, you have to go to Lucy's house and get your son away from her as soon as possible."

"Why?" I am shocked. Why would she tell me to go and get my son? I feel dread seep through me.

"Because she sold your son and two other kids to a witch nearby that deals with black magic. The same one who gave Max the potions. The witch is planning on using their souls for a ritual. If you get to Lucy and get her to tell where the witch is, there might still be a chance for you to save your son and those other kids."

"WHAT?!!"

"Yes, believe it. Now that I have given you the opportunity to save your son, will you help me?"

"How do I know you are not lying?"

"See for yourself." Was all she said before she came up to me and pressed her palm against my fore head. I saw a blinding light and when it faded, I saw a little cage in front of me with three masses huddled up inside it. It took me a few seconds to realise that those three masses were children covered in blood and indeed, my son was among those three children. They were all shaking as if they were cold and they looked terrified.

"Jimmy." I whispered. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"Do you believe me now?" I turned around to see the same red head. The image of the children had faded and I was once again in the field of grass.

I stare at the grassy floor for a little while, thinking of what to do. I know that if I don't agree to help her immediately, she will keep me in this dream for a longer time. The sooner I agree, the sooner I can get out and help my son. Goddess knows how much time is left.

I already failed to save my mate. I can't fail my son as well.

I look up at the green eyes of the girl in front of me. I think about how an unjust fate shortened her life span. She had so much more to live for, I can see that. I understand where she is coming from. She had so much planned for her life, but was cruelly murdered. She deserves justice and closure.

Amanda...

I wasn't able to save her, and I wasn't able to give her justice for her death. I will not let another soul go through that. I will help Victoria find peace. I guess this is my own way of compensating for what I couldn't do for my own mate. Besides, Victoria has just given me a chance to save my child by informing me of the situation he's in, so I also have to repay her for that.

Amanda...

My mate...

This is going to be my tribute to you.

So with a new determination, I make up my mind.

💤💤💤

Victoria's POV

"So, what did he say?" Verna asks me when I come out of the house and enter the forest line.

"Well..." I turn around to see Shawn step out of his house and get into his car, probably to go confront Lucy. I smile as I remember our conversation and turn back to Verna, who is looking at me expectantly.

"He's in."

/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\•/\

A/N: Shawn is in!

What do you think he's going to do to Lucy for taking his son?

Do you think he will be able to save his son in time, or will Jimmy die?

What do you think will happen next?

I hope you enjoy this book so far, I really appreciate you all! ❤️❤️❤️

Question of the Chapter.

Favorite Disney movie?

My answer

All of them. You're never too old to watch Disney, even if you are 100 years old.