I nodded. “Of course I do.”
Rowan looked down at Ternen. “I don’t think you do. Omegas usually cower, and I don’t say that as an insult. Their wolves are just too weak. Normally they run away and hide if they can.”
“And if they can’t?” My words were soft, but I already knew the answer.
“They accept their fate and let themselves return to the Moon Goddess. But Ternen, he ran towards the danger. He fought and killed ranked wolves to save his mate and their pups. He knew he didn’t have a chance…”
“Then why did he do it?” I wanted to scream.
“You know why.” Rowan looked at me. “You saw exactly what I saw.” I closed my eyes, and I shook my head.
“No.” I didn’t want to think about it.
“Yes.” Rowan’s fingers slid into mine. “Alannah was being pulled to the woods, and Ternen was running after them.” Rowan’s words were soft.
I just kept shaking my head. “No.” The ache in my chest tightened, but no matter what I said, I knew he was going to finish what he was saying.
“You were fighting to reach the edge of the circle, and right before Ternen ran into the trees he looked back and saw you were coming. He knew you weren’t close enough.” Rowan tightened his hands as I tried to pull away.
“You’re wrong.”
“Oh, baby, I wish I were.” He pulled me to his chest. “But you and I both know he saw you wouldn’t make it. We both watched his face. He made a choice. His life for theirs. His life to give you enough time to reach Alannah. To save her.”
“No.” I felt the word ripped from my chest. The dam broke, and I felt hot tears hit my cheeks.
My mate kissed me and then pulled away. “He made the decision that his life was worth hers. And he wasn’t wrong.” I reeled back as if I had been slapped.
“How could you say that?”
He lifted a hand to cup my face. “Because I would make the same decision in the blink of an eye. Your life is worth more than mine, ten times over. I would sacrifice myself for you, for our pups.” His sad smile broke a sliver off my heart. I just shook my head.
“You’re wrong. You’re the King.” I tried to pull out of his arms.
But he just kissed my lips. “You’re the Queen. My life, my heart, and the only thing that has kept me going these last few years. I would die for you. And Ternen did that for his mate, for their pups. Don’t diminish his sacrifice just because you feel guilty.” I stared up at Rowan, and I felt the truth in his words.
I knew I was dead as soon as I started running after Alannah. I just had to fight long enough to make sure you could get there to save her.Ternen’s sweet voice whispered in my ear.
“You did it.” I whispered back as I turned back to my friend. I grabbed him in my arms. “You saved them.” I kissed his forehead and leaned him against the tree. “Now it’s time to rest.”
I wiped my tears and stood. I turned to see my mother peeking around the corner, but I waved her off. Rowan furrowed his brow. “Why did you wave her off?”
I grabbed one of the shovels in his hands and then started digging. “I didn’t want her to come back over with Alannah until the evidence was gone.” I waved my hands over my face.
“Why?” Rowan smiled, but it was a little hesitant, like he didn’t know why I wouldn’t want Alannah to see me cry over her mate.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t play dumb.” I pointed at him. “You know exactly why.” I looked up, and I realized he didn’t. Hiseyebrows were pinched, and he was staring at me. “I'm an Alpha, and until she settles at my dad’s pack, she is mine.”
“So?”
I stopped digging. “An Alpha needs to be strong for their pack; we can’t show our weakness.”
“That’s bullshit. I watched you with Toya and Wendy.”
“That’s different.” I shook my head.
“How?” He started digging again, and the hole started to get wider.
“When I’m just me, just Amy, then I don’t care who sees me cry, or whatever weakness I show. I am comfortable in my skin, and I know I can kick whoever tries to make fun of me. But like this?” I waved my hand. “Where I have to be strong for wolves that rely on me…I can’t break down.”
