Lisa’s smile was slow, as if even that small action pained her. “He cares deeply for those he considers his.”
“All alphas do.” Tanya pushed up until her elbows rested on the bed, Lisa’s hand still in her own.
Lisa took a breath, and Tanya heard wheezing in her lungs. Lisa’s face was pale, and her lips showed a bluish hue.
Tanya sucked in a sharp breath when she felt her friend’s heart skip a couple of beats. “Lisa, please tell me what to do.” Tanya’s insides churned and terror overwhelmed her, making her afraid she was unraveling at the seams... This wasn’t the way things were supposed to be. Lisa and Tanya should’ve been cooking and laughing in the kitchen while Lisa scolded Tanya for stealing food off the countertop. Not this. Not Lisa lying in bed barely alive. Because that’s what she was, clinging to life.
“Listen to me, little wolf,” Lisa said, her voice dry and rough. “We didn’t get to talk more about this, but you need to hear it before I go.”
“No,” Tanya snapped. “You’re not going anywhere. You can’t.” She could barely see Lisa through the tears filling her eyes. “I need you here. With me. Tyler needs you. This whole damn pack needs you.”
Lisa scoffed. “I put bandages on wolves that heal in two minutes. They only do it to humor me.” She chuckled and then coughed. Tanya slipped an arm behind her small shoulders and lifted Lisa to help her catch her breath. After a couple of minutes, Lisa nodded, and Tanya lowered her back down.
“Could you get me some water?” Lisa said as her head hit the pillow.
“Of course.” Tanya jumped up and hurried to the kitchen. She pulled down a glass and filled it with water. As she headed back, she saw the phone hanging on the wall. She picked it up and dialed Tyler’s number.
“What do you need, old woman?” The Missouri alpha’s voice was filled with humor and fondness. He also must have caller ID since he knew who was calling.
“Tyler, it’s Tanya.”
The strain in her voice must have been quite clear because the playfulness immediately evaporated. “What’s wrong?” The voice on the other end of the phone was no longer just Lisa’s friend, but her alpha.
“Lisa is sick. She’s lying in bed, and she can barely breathe. It’s bad. You need to get over here, please. Help her.” Tanya felt like a child asking for her father to fix her favorite toy that had broken. But Lisa wasn’t a toy. She was a dear, precious friend.
“On my way.” Click.
Tanya hurried back to the bedroom. She had to help raise Lisa upright again so her friend could take a sip from the glass. After what Tanya felt was entirely too small a sip, Lisa nodded. Tanya set the glass aside and once again laid Lisa back down.
Lisa cleared her throat, but when she spoke it still sounded so thready. “I know you’re hurting over your true mate.”
“We don’t need to tal—”
“Yes, we do.” Lisa’s voice was a little stronger. “And you’re going to listen.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Tanya said automatically to the authoritative tone of the wise woman.
“Part of love is pain. One cannot exist without the other. Love means taking a risk that the other person might not love you back. It’s giving all of yourself, even though the other person might not do the same. Love is maturity because it is a tough, tough choice.” Lisa coughed again, but held up a hand when Tanya went to lift her. “If you want a future with this man, then you have got to find it in you to forgive him. You’re going to have to pray to the Great Luna to heal your heart and allow yourself to see past his mistakes and to the man he is. Don’t let go of something that is rightfully yours because of pride. It’s never worth it.”
“But,” Tanya began, but then snapped her mouth closed. She realized how foolish it would be to argue with her friend, who was dying before her very eyes.
“Promise me, Tanya.” Lisa narrowed her eyes and patted Tanya’s cheek. “Promise me you will at least hear him out. Let me leave this world knowing that you haven’t given up on a chance to be happy with your true mate.”
“You’re not playing fair.” Tanya sniffled.
“Never have.” Lisa smiled. “Now, promise me. Neither of you is perfect. Neither of you is going to be perfect. You’re going to get mad at each other, and you’re going to want to kick him in the shins more often than not, but it’s worth it. Even if he loved another woman, it shows you he’s capable of love and loyalty. He was both of those things, even with a woman who wasn’t his mate. Just because he cared for her doesn’t mean you can’t have a place in his heart. I'm sure it will be a much bigger one than she holds.”
Tanya wanted to scream that this was not the time for them to be talking about this. She wanted to growl at the old woman and tell her to focus on breathing instead of wasting her breath on Tanya’s relationship issues.
“Promise me,” Lisa repeated.
“Ugh, fine, you old bat.” Tanya huffed. “I’ll hear him out.”
Lisa’s cracked lips spread into a much bigger smile. “Thank you. That makes me happy.” She settled back and relaxed, as if she’d accomplished what she needed to.
“Where is she?” Tyler’s voice came from the hall, along with the sound of many footsteps. Along with the alpha, Tanya picked up on the scents of Austin and Daniel.
The door pushed open, and Tyler hustled inside. His eyes immediately landed on Lisa and softened. “Damn you, woman.” He shook his head and went around to the opposite side of the bed and sat beside her. Tyler’s much larger hand enveloped the one Tanya wasn’t holding. “Why didn’t you tell me it was getting worse?”
