I sighed, but I understood. I stood up and dusted off my knees. Then, I held out a hand. “Can you walk?”
She glared up at me before turning to her mate. “I hate that you left me and our babies. I love you so much.”
“He fought for you. For your pups. So you could live.” I crouched again. “We won’t leave him, but I need you to walk.”
She sobbed once more before she leaned in and kissed Ternen’s mouth for the last time. “I love you to the moon and back.” She finally pulled away and grabbed my hand. “We won’t leave him?”
I pulled her up onto her feet and steadied her. Then I pulled her into my arms and gave her another moment to collect herself. “We won’t.” She pulled away and nodded once.
I crouched again and gathered Ternen into my arms. His eyes were still open, still empty, and that had me coughing to cover the sob that tried to break free. Before I stood, I closed his eyes, and I softly whispered to him. “You did such a good job protecting them. I promise I’ve got you from here.” Then I pushed up, my side screaming from the extra weight.
The silver in our blood is messing with our healing, but I will take the pain.Nix offered, but I stopped her.
“Don’t.” The hollow feeling in my chest was almost unbearable.
Amy…why?Megan shook her head.It’s a long way back, and you are hurt.
I looked at my friend, the one I promised to protect, and I shook my head.I deserve the pain. I wasn’t fast enough to stop this from happening, and now she is going to have to go through everything alone.
It’s not your fault.My wolves tried, but I just shook my head.
I said no.Then I turned and started back to the cabin.
Chapter Thirty-One
We broke through the tree line, and the smell of blood, meat and guts hit me like a tidal wave. But it was eerily silent. The fighting, the screams — it was all over. We walked through the field, and panic started to bubble. Alannah looked over at me, and I watched her pale face register the decimation. She bent over and emptied herself at our feet. I wanted to reach out, but with Ternen, I was stuck.
“Hey, it’s okay.” I tried to calm her, but she stood on shaky legs.
“I know; the smell hit me, and the babies did not like it.” She wiped her lips. “I’m okay now.” I nodded once, and we started moving faster. “Where is everyone?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know.” We gave the battlefield a wide berth. “Hello?” I screamed over the wind, spinning in a circle, looking for a sign of life.
“Do you think everyone is dead?” Alannah looked around while I adjusted my grip on Ternen.
“Goddess, I hope not.” We made our way around the back of the house, and I placed Ternen next to Carl’s grave. “I’ll dig a grave for him once we find out what happened.” She nodded as she crouched to touch his face.
The back door opened, and I heard a tiny scream. “Momma Amy!” I turned. Carly was running full speed towards us, and Rowan was following. I felt the panic ease.
“Baby girl.” I ran to her, and reached for her before she could see, but I wasn’t fast enough.
“Uncle Ternen.” Carly slid past me. She aimed for my hurt side and outmaneuvered me so she could run straight for Alannah. “Aunty.” She wrapped her tiny arms around Alannah and burst into tears. “I didn’t see. I would have told you. I promise I didn’t see.” She shook her head back and forth, her little pigtails bouncing from side to side.
“This isn’t your fault, sweet pea.” Alannah sat down on the ground and pulled Carly into her lap, avoiding her bump. “This is on me.”
“This is the Moon Goddess’s plan.” My grandmother appeared next to the graves. “I know it might not make sense. I know it hurts. But this was how it was always going to unfold.” She crouched next to Ternen. “This was exactly why she gave him to you.”
“So he could die?” Alannah sobbed.
“So he could save you.” My grandmother reached out.
“I’m no one.” Alannah shook her head, her breath shuddering out of her.
“You were my everything.” Ternen’s soft voice called as he appeared next to my grandmother. Alannah froze as Carly stood up, allowing her to scramble to her feet. “I love you so much; you and our pups were my very soul.” I knew what was going to happen, and I ran back to them as Alannah dove for her mate. I caught her as she passed right through him.
“He’s not really here. It’s just his soul.” I looked over at him. “He came to say goodbye.”
Alannah screamed once and then pushed out of my arms. I watched Ternen wince as she stepped close to him. “Take me with you.” But he shook his head.
