The Beta’s Regret

(Eden's Pov)

As soon as the tent was empty, I made my way outside and slipped into my mother's tent.

It smelled of a strange mix of lavender and earth, which surprisingly had a soothing effect on me.

Mom sat on a makeshift chair, cradling my son in her arms while she rocked her body side to side, humming a slow tune to his ears.

As I watched, my heart melted at the kind of love my mother had for the infants. However, no matter how much of it she showers on him, I still want him in my arms, as I smell his wonderful baby scent

"Mom." I called out softly. She finally noticed my presence and looked up. At first, a worried expression crossed her face before she finally let out a small smile.

"Thank you," I said.

She nodded; her smile grew wider before she looked back at my baby.

"No need to thank me. They are my babies." She cooed softly at my son, who giggled, "He needs a name." She said,

My breath hitched. I knew that.

It wasn't because I had no idea what to name him; I did. But I found it so difficult to give him a name all by myself without Eros in the picture.

As if my mother heard my thoughts, she sighed and said. "Eros wouldn't want you to hold back because of him."

I nodded and moved forward. She handed him over to me while she attended to Lyra's child.

My mother adjusted the blanket wrapped around the baby as she slept soundly. Compared to my son, she was much easier to please.

My mom slowly took the baby girl in her arms, and just as she began to move outside, I stopped her with a quick shout.

"No!" I said. A sudden sense of protectiveness gripped me, and I watched my mother cautiously. "Please don't take her. Let her stay with me a little longer."

mother raised a brow at me. She curiously searched my face and nodded. Instead of dropping the child, she settled back down and cradled the tiny human

peaceful, so serene, unaware of

couldn't imagine her having a life that would be filled with

her. Since Lyra and him planned to rule the people together, and they stayed together

know that Lyra is dead? Would

wouldn't give up without

thought about my next words. "Mom, I want to

a quick

"Adopt?" She asked.

I nodded.

questions. She understood exactly what I felt, the responsibilities I now

My mother

"Yes,

son, and my smile faltered. My chest squeezed painfully as I watched

detail reminded me

slowly closed as he fell into a gentle sleep, the shape of his nose, his hair. It was almost as if I held a miniature version of my mate. My heartached with every reminder

name them."

Tears stung my eyes.

know it's hard, sweetheart, but I know you

raised my face upward, willing the tears that threatened to spill to

myself." I started. "I... I never thought I would do this alone, without Eros

trembled as tears fell down

so difficult to

my voice broke, and

how to iving like Eros

do it

here."

wiped my tears with one hand as her other

strongest woman I know, Eros. I believe you can do whatever