“I’m so sorry, Henry. I don’t want to leave you boys. I wanted to be there when you found your mates and to see your cubs. Be good to each other.” She reached out and gently caressed my cheek. I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“I love you, Mom,” I said, almost choking on the anguish twisting my insides.
“Find a mate and be happy, Henry.”
I moved away so Paul could talk to her. Liam and Aden clung to my legs as I stood and watched my father’s pain.
“Paul. My sweet Paul. I remember holding you in my arms, so tiny and bald. You and your brother made my life whole and perfect. Take care of yourself and your father for me.” She touched his cheek, her hand pale.
Once Paul kissed her, she turned to Dad.
“Gregory, I knew you were meant for me the moment I saw you from the second story window. But my heart wasn’t fully yours until you brought back that bed.” Dad chuckled slightly, a sad sound. She reached up and smoothed her fingers through his dark hair.
“I regret nothing,” she whispered. “Every moment of my life with you has been the adventure I craved before I met you. I’ll still love you, even after I’m gone.”
Dad bent down and kissed her softly on the lips.
A hole opened in my chest as I watched them. I never wanted to love like that. The pain would be too great once it was gone.
JIM…
Trees whipped past me. I didn’t slow for roads or houses. There was no point hiding what I was. The humans already knew of our existence. If I was spotted and followed, all the better. The boys couldn’t fall into Urbat hands. The other Elders hadn’t yet seen what I had. Losing Ethan had almost broken Isabelle. Losing the boys would break Michelle. And she couldn’t be broken. None of them could. Bethi had been clear. A judgement needed to be made this cycle if werewolves had any hope of surviving. Save the boys; save our race.
Gregory’s anguish interrupted my thoughts. The sensation wrapped around my mind before his words did.
It’s Mary,he sent.She’s been hurt. Ripped open and bleeding badly.
How badly?I sent back.
Gutted.
The word caused my stride to stumble.
The Urbat?I sent.
Dead.
Are you close to a hospital?
More grief swelled over our link before he answered.
Even if it wasn’t past that, you know we couldn’t take her there. Not with these kinds of wounds and the world knowing what we are.
I focused on Mary’s link and could feel her pain. Mary wasn’t just another member in my Dad’s pack. She was my second mom. She’d watched over me just as closely as my own Mom. I pushed myself to go faster. My legs and lungs burned with the effort.
I’m almost there,I sent Mary. I raced across the fields, already knowing I wouldn’t make it in time.
I am so proud of you, Jim. You will do well as an Elder. Protect my boys. Remind them how much I love them. And tell your mom I love her, too. She was the best thing that happened to me. Without her, I wouldn’t have found Gregory. Tell her and Michelle, I regret nothing.
I could feel her link thinning.
Hang in there, Mary. I’m so close.
Save them all, Jim.
Her link vanished from my mind as if it had never existed. In the multitude of connections, the tiny void shouldn’t have felt so consumingly vast.
I howled my grief. An answering howl came not far away, joined by a second and third.
