Chapter 57
ADAM
Watching my mate grieve the loss of a baby he’d never carry was painful. I was grieving in my own way as well, because deep down, I felt like my father had cursed us, somehow. That his bitter hatred for Fletcher had caused this.
Fletcher spent the next couple of weeks despondent, picking at his food, curled up in blankets on the couch, watching TV but not really paying attention. I tried my best to be there for him, but he was so distant.
It was worrying me.
What if he did something that took him away from me forever? God, I could never live with myself. I needed to do something, but what?
I slipped into my study and sat down at the desk, then called the only person I could really truly confide in—Aria Winters.
“I don’t know what to do,” I murmured. “I’ve never seen him this depressed, Ari. He’s a shell of himself and it’s scaring me. It’s to the point where I’m half-afraid to leave him alone. He’s just so down.”
“Oh, Adam.” Her compassion made my chest ache a little less, at least. “An Omega’s purpose, at our core, is to have children, to raise and to love and to cherish them.
Fletcher is likely lost and scared right now.
He really loves you, Adam, and he is grieving the loss of raising your future son or daughter, a little one that would’ve shared features from both of you.
He needs therapy to work through the grief. You might need it too, I don’t know.”
“I’m fine,” I told her.
“You say that now, but I can feel your despair. I hear it in your voice.”
I grumbled. “I’m just worried about Fletcher. I don’t want to lose him.”
“Okay. Let me do a bit of research and I’ll text you a couple of numbers of good shifter therapists in your area, okay?” Aria said. “Fletcher needs someone unbiased to talk to, someone he can be brutally honest with.”
“He has me—” I began, but she cut in.
“Someone that’s not you.”
I sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Ari. You’re the best.”
“Hang in there, Adam. It’s gonna be okay. Just be there for him. He needs you right now, now more than ever.”
Didn’t I know it?
A couple of days later, Aria sent me a few numbers. After vetting them and doing my own digging, I decided on one. Of course, I needed to talk to Fletcher about this first.
I broached the subject carefully, like approaching a wild animal that might try and flee if it felt cornered.
I offered Fletcher a mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows. He perked up a little bit, taking a tiny sip. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, kitten,” I said, sitting down on the couch beside him. I gave it a few moments before drawing in a deep breath. “Fletch? Can we talk?”
His brow furrowed. “Yeah, sure, I guess.” He didn’t sound so sure, though.
“I’m worried about you, baby. Your depression isn’t getting any better. It’s been weeks.”
Fletcher growled at me. “How is it supposed to? I’m barren, Adam!”
“I know, love. I know it’s a hard pill to swallow, which is why I think you need to talk to someone about this.”
He frowned. “What do you mean? Like a shrink? Jesus, Adam, I’m not crazy, I’m sad! There’s a difference!”
“No, no,” I assured him. “Not anything like that. A therapist. Just someone to talk to, someone who can listen to your sorrow without judging you. Someone who can help you come up with coping tools when you feel this low.”
My heart ached as my mate began to cry again, his shoulders quaking. “I-I just… I feel broken.”
“I know, but you’re not, baby. I don’t love you any less, you know that, right?” I gently tugged him to my chest, kissing the mop of red curls atop his head. “We both need time to grieve this loss, but there are always options.”
Fletcher sniffled. “Like what?”
“You grew up in an orphanage,” I told him.
“You know firsthand what it feels like to be looked over and ignored. Not picked, because you were an Omega. We could adopt a shifter kid in need, one who has never had the chance to be seen. We could give them a great life and a loving home. Not right now, but when we’re ready. ”
Fletcher swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah…”
“I have the number of a therapist. She specializes in Omega trauma. If I make an appointment, will you at least go and give it a chance? For me? Pretty please?”
He turned those teary green eyes on me. They welled up and spilled over, but he nodded. “Y-Yeah… I’m so sad, Adam. All I ever wanted was to have a happily-ever-after with you and to raise a family together. Life hasn’t gone the way I’d hoped.”
“It never does,” I said solemnly. “But I don’t love you any less. We’ve made it through so much—this is just another obstacle in our path.”
“Right.”
“I love you, kitten,” I told him. “On your sunshine days, and on your stormy ones.”
With a soft sob, Fletcher flung himself at my chest. I wrapped my arms so tightly around him, hugging him close. His voice was muffled by my shirt, but I heard him when he said, “I love you too.”
“Everything is gonna be okay,” I promised him. “We just need time to grieve and heal, that’s all.”
“C-Could we go cuddle in bed?” he whispered, pulling away just enough to peer up at me. “I’m feeling needy.”
I smiled at him. “Your wish is my command.”
Then, without another word, I scooped my mate up despite his soft squeal of surprise, and I carried him down the hall to our bedroom.
And I cuddled the hell out of him.