And as the night wore on, they lost themselves in each other, finding solace and strength in the bond that would always hold them together.
* * *
It was quiet in the dimly lit room. A single bedside lamp cast a soft, warm glow over the space. The Colorado pack mansion had always felt grand and imposing, with its sprawling rooms and heavy wooden furniture, but tonight, to Sally, it felt hollow. The silence wasn’t peaceful. No, it was heavy, pressing down on her like a weight she couldn’t shake.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting on her swollen stomach, her thumb absently brushing over the fabric of her shirt. The baby shifted slightly, a flutter of movement that brought a faint smile to her lips despite the ache in her chest.
Jewel was gone.
The words echoed in Sally’s mind, over and over, a painful reminder of the healer who had been a source of strength and knowledge. Sally had looked up to Jewel, had learned from her, had shared the healer bond with her that went beyond words. And now, that bond felt severed, leaving behind a hollow space.
The sound of the door clicking shut drew Sally’s attention, and she looked up to see Costin stepping into the room. His hazel eyes locked on hers immediately, and the warmth of his presence flowed through their bond—a steady hum of love and reassurance that wrapped around her like a blanket.
“Hey,” he said softly.
Sally managed a small smile. “Hey.”
Costin crossed the room in a few long strides, his movements fluid and graceful, and knelt in front of her. He placed his hands on her knees, his touch grounding her as he looked up at her with a playful glint in his eyes. “You appear to be carrying the weight of the world, Sally-mine. Which means it’s my job to lighten it.”
Despite herself, Sally let out a small, shaky laugh. “How do you always make me laugh?”
Costin grinned, his boyish charm shining through. “It’s my superpower. That, among other things.” He bounced his eyebrows at her as he gave her a heated look. He leaned forward, resting his chin on her knees as he stared up at her. “And right now, perhaps you need me to do both.”
Sally’s smile faltered, and she let out a shaky breath as she gazed down at him. “I don’t know if I can laugh tonight, Costin. I just… I can’t stop thinking about her. About Jewel. About everything she gave for her pack, for all of us.” Her voice broke, and she covered her face with her hands as a sob escaped her.
Costin immediately stood and pulled her into his arms. He sat down on the bed, cradling her against his chest as she let herself cry. His hands stroked her back, his touch gentle and soothing, and he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“Let it out,” he murmured. “Tell me everything, Sally. I’m here. Always.”
The bond between them flared with his emotions—love, concern, and a fierce protectiveness that made her heart ache. She clung to him, her fingers tangling in the fabric of his shirt as she let the words spill out.
“I just keep thinking about how much she meant to everyone and wondering if she knew.” Sally’s voice trembled. “She sacrificed so much when she was under Volcan’s power. It tore her apart. And her mother’s death ripped a hole inside of her. She gave and gave, and even with her mistakes, she cared so much for all of us. She was smart, unique, and hilarious without meaning to be. And now she’s… She’s gone. I don’t know how to be okay with it. She shouldn’t have had to die, not like that, not now.”
Costin listened silently, his arms tightening around Sally as she spoke. She felt his steady presence through their bond, his unwavering support as he absorbed her pain, her sadness, her guilt.
When she finally fell silent, her body trembling from the release of her emotions, Costin pulled back just enough to cup her face in his hands. His thumbs brushed away the tears on her cheeks, and his golden-brown eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.
“You don’t have to be okay with it,” he said firmly. “Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Not ever, if you don’t want to be. You grieve how you need to, Sally. And I’ll be right here with you every step of the way.”
Her lips trembled, and she nodded, leaning into his touch. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Costin’s lips curved into a small smile. “You’ll never have to find out.”
He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. It was gentle at first, a whisper of reassurance, but as the kiss deepened, his emotions shifted. The sadness and concern were still there, but another need rose to the surface—his need to comfort her, to make her feel loved, cherished, safe.
When he pulled back, a playful glint returned to his eyes, and he placed a hand on her growing stomach. “Now, before we move on to my distraction plan, let me say hi to my little bean.”
Sally laughed softly, her tears forgotten for the moment as she watched him lean down to press his cheek against her belly.
“Hey, baby-mine. It’s your dad. Just reminding you that I’m the fun parent, okay? And that I love you already.”
Sally couldn’t help but smile, her heart swelling at the sight of him. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you love it.” Costin straightened, and his expression softened as he looked at her. “Now let me take care of you tonight. Let me make you forget, if only for a little while.”
Sally swallowed hard, her chest tightening as she nodded. “Okay.”
Costin’s smile turned into a smirk, and he leaned in close. His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, “Good. Because I’m not taking no for an answer.”
