Holly and I Only!!!

Niko nodded. "Before you were born - or really even concieved - one of the rogues had taken your mother as a hostage. He wanted Ryder to take back to his leader so they could raise him and use him as their own warrior. I hated the decision I had to make, but I refused to give my best friend's son to our enemy, and so he killed your mother. I died not long after, fighting with the rogue. I made sure he was dead before I laid down with my mate in the sun. That had shown that the rogues were organizing and growing stronger. They've apparently been deep underground for us not to notice any activity all these years."

--

"I promise, Baily," he kissed her.

"That's why I'm different, isn't it?" she asked softly. "Do you really think that I have a breedmate? That I can be as happy as you and mommy?" she asked.

--

"Alright." she said softly, kissing his lips softly. "Let's go get you ready."

Niko hugged his daughter. "I know you can be as happy as your mom and me," he told her gently. "You deserve that much, sweetheart."

Damon nodded, kissing her back and holding her close.

She nodded, smiling slightly. "thank you, Daddy."

--

Baily let him hold her for a little bit before pulling away, taking his hand and leading him to their room.

"Anything for you, honey," Niko smiled at his precious daughter.

Ryder came out of the training room sensing tension. His parents were the first people he found and he caught them before they went into their room. "What's going on," he asked, frowning.

"Rogues are back," Damon told him. "Niko and I are gonna go raid them and find the male breedmate Niko's been talking about. Olivia dreamed of him last night - he's being tortured."

Ryder frowned. "I'm going, too."

"No, you're not," Damon said. "You're going to stay here with your mother, Olivia, and Fairly. No one leaves until we have more information."

"We need someone here to protect us." Baily said to her son, trying to make him feel like he had a job.

He appreciated his mother's effort, but he knew his father was protecting him. "Alright," he murmured.

Baily nodded. "go find Olivia, the four of us need to be together."

Ryder nodded and went to get Olivia.

Fairly walked into the hall, confused at her mates feeling. "What's wrong?" she asked, going to hug him.

Niko hugged his mate as Ryder walked towards them. "Mom wants us all by each other," he told them, motioning for them to follow.

Niko walked after him with his daughter and mate. "A male breedmate is being tortured by rogues. They're back. Damon and I are going to get him tonight. You four are staying here. Don't leave," he told his mate.

Fairly almost stopped in disbelief. "No... You destroyed all the Rogues..."

"Not all of them. More have gone Rogue and deep underground," Niko shook his head. "I should have known the damn war would never end..."

"Well, there's more of us now to fight them. Maybe it'll be over soon." she said softly, holding onto her mates hand.

"Hopefully," he murmured, knowing it wouldn't.

"Hey..." she stopped, letting Olivia and Ryder go on without them. She hugged Niko, letting his head dip down into her neck like it did when he was upset like this. "It'll be okay." she said softly. "We have an edge. You, me, and Olivia. We can hunt during the day when they can't." she whispered.

"I don't want either of you going outside," he told her, looking up at her. "I don't want that to happen again. Don't make me choose between you and our daughter, and Damon and his mate and son."

"I won't. I promise." she said softly. "But if you let me and Olivia help then we can beat them quicker."

He sighed and nodded, knowing neither of them could die because they were already angels. "Alright," he murmured.

"We'll talk more about it later." she said softly, reaching up and gently running her fingers through his hair. "I love you." she said gently.

"I love you, too," he kissed her tenderly, bringing her closer to him.

"We'll never be apart." she whispered, clinging to him.

"Never," he repeated, nuzzling her.

She smiled slightly. "Now let's get you guys ready so that you can leave. The sooner you leave the sooner you'll be back." she said softly.

He nodded and kissed her lovingly, holding her close. He reluctantly let her go so he could go get ready.