The Delicate Girl Mate novel Chapter 35

I wrapped my arms around her, relishing in the touch of my love.

"For what?"

"For everything." She started crying again.

"Hey, look at me." She looked up, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Don't thank me for doing this for you. I would do anything and everything to keep you happy. And when you can't seem to be happy, I will do anything and everything to help you get through it. I know it's tough, and I'm trying my best. We have a plan, baby. Okay? We are going to get Little Man back." I paused. "I promise you."

"I love you so much." She whispered.

"I love you too, now come with me?" I asked, holding out my hand for her.

She placed her hand in mine, and smiled the best she could. Although it looked like a grimace, I smiled back for her effort.

I couldn't breathe.

It felt like I was suffocating. I'm not able to breathe with this weight on my chest. What'll happen to him? Was my constant thought. If only it was me he took, and not my baby brother.

I can't stand to do anything. I feel so guilty. Like I should be the one in his place.

It should be me.

I couldn't stand myself to do anything. All I wanted to do was cry. I felt sorry for myself. I felt sorry that I was still here while my sweet baby brother was in the hands of a monster. Who knows what could be happening to him?

I shouldn't feel sorry. I should be helping Jordi. I should be making an effort to get my brother back. But what am I doing? I'm wasting away in this room, crying my heart out ever five minutes.

Why?

Because it should be me.

I know there's no logic to what I'm doing. But it seems right to me. Like I should punish myself for not protecting him better. I need to feel empty; to punish myself for not keeping my promise to my brother.

I always told him he was protecting me just fine and then when he fell asleep in my arms most nights I would tell him how I promised to protect him from anything.

I broke that promise.

"I love you so much," I whispered to Jordi.

"Well," he sighed, "Alpha Damon's trackers and warriors are on our side. At the next sighting of rogues or the next scent spotted of a rogue, we are to be notified and our warriors along with trackers are already on standby. When we hear the signal from Midnight Crest, we will head straight over and defeat Marcus. We have all of our trackers and warriors armed as well as their trackers and warriors. I also have Alpha Matt's warriors in on it as well, for extra help."

"All these wolves are putting their lives on the line for one rogue? And to help me?"

He nodded, but looked grim, "Yes and no. They are all allies in helping us win the battle that's bound to happen. But we know that it isn't just him. Damon's pack has scented several different rogue scents and who knows how many there are. All I know is that we will defeat them and get our Benny back."

I nodded and almost started crying again. I only looked down.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

I turned around in his arms and sank into his chest. "It should be me."

"No. Don't say that."

"But it's true! It should be me that's in Ben's position right now! After spending my whole life protecting him from that bastard I let him down now! It should be me! Not my baby brother! I'm the one Marcus has always beaten and wanted. I'm the one he should have taken!"

"Stop!" Jordi roared. "Stop. Don't you see baby? This is tearing you apart. It shouldn't be you who is in the hands of that monster. It sure as hell shouldn't be Ben either. Neither one of you should have to go through that, but unfortunately Ben is. He's going through it but you know what? We will get him back. I promise you."