“What are you thinking? What are you going to do?” I stepped out of Rowan’s arms. Greyson looked back at me and I could see the anger, the hatred burning behind his eyes.
“I'm going to go kill the person who hurt my mate. I'm going to kill the person who killed my pup.” Another tear trembled at the edge of his lashes.
“She's already dead.” A weak voice came from the bed.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Everyone whirled to see that Cass’s eyes were opened. “What did you just say?” Greyson rushed to the bedside again, dropping to his knees beside it, and slid his hand into hers. “Baby, are you okay?”
“Our pup?” The words trembled there, like she was standing on the edge of a cliff, and whatever the answer was would either save her or push her over the edge.
Greyson swallowed as he looked down at their clutched hands. He shook his head slowly. “Our pup didn’t make it.”
Cass tried to pull away but Greyson held on strongly. “No.” She fought against his hold, but he still held her. He pushed up from his knees and crawled into the bed, wrapping his arms completely around her body. “No.” The word sounded more like she was choking than an actual thought. “NO!” This time itwas like her heart was ripped from her chest and the scream that followed shattered the last bit of hope that everyone was holding, too.
I went to the other side of the bed, and I reached for my friend, but she pulled away. I looked her in the eyes and I tried to tell her how sorry I was. “Cass.” I tried, but my words failed me.
“How?” That one word was a whisper that I barely caught.
“How what?” I asked as my hands dropped into my lap.
“How did you get past losing your pup?” Her eyes met mine.
“What?” I reeled back from the question.
“How did you get past losing your pup?” She repeated the question slower, but it was the desolation in her eyes that sucked me in. “I don't see how you could get past it. My soul feels like it’s been fractured. My heart feels hollow.”
There was a silence that enveloped the room. I took in a breath and then answered. “The simple answer is you don't.” A sob wanted to break from my chest, but I pushed it back down. This was not my time for pain.
“How am I supposed to move on?” I was staring into her eyes, and I felt that there was nothing there.
“You're not supposed to move on from this. You'll never get past it, but it does get easier. It doesn't happen easily or fast, but each day it gets a little easier to handle it. Years later you'll be walking down the street and it'll just hit you all over again and it'll drop you to your knees.” I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Losing someone you love is the worst possible thing that could happen to you. It breaks something fundamental inside of you. Eventually, you'll learn to live without it, but that broken piece stays broken.”
Cass nodded once and rolled over away from me. “That’s what I thought.”
Greyson looked at me, and I could see the pain there. He slipped down and pulled her against his chest. He whimpered ashe snuggled her, but she refused to get close to him. “You have to get cleaned up, baby.” He whispered against her head, but she just shook her head no.
“As soon as I shower, he will be gone, his scent will be gone, and I can’t face that yet.” I furrowed my brow. Greyson caught it, but just shook his head and mouthed the word ‘later’. I nodded once and tried to comfort my friend. I patted her back, but she was still rigid.
“Please, leave.” The words sounded strangled, but she turned over and met Greyson’s eyes. “Can you please leave me alone? I just need space.” Tears were in her eyes, and she seemed a little panicked.
I smelled his fear before anyone else. “We will leave if you allow me to do one thing?” I leaned over to catch her gaze.
“What?”
“Let me command you…” My words were soft, and I trailed off as she shuddered.
“Why?” Her eyes narrowed, and I could hear the grinding of her teeth.
“Your mate is worried, and so am I.” I took a breath. “When my pup died, I was happy because I knew I was going to follow him into the abyss. I wanted to.” She closed her eyes and I watched a tear track down her cheek.
“Don’t ask me to do that, baby.” Greyson’s voice was soft. “Don’t ask me to bury our pup and you. I wouldn’t be able to make it.” He leaned down so his face was against hers. “I’ll leave. If you let an Alpha command you not to hurt yourself.”
She shuddered. “Just that?” He nodded. “Fine. But not Amy. Alpha Gavin can do it.”
I was a little hurt, but I nodded and got up from the bed as my dad walked over. “Cassie, I command you to not harm yourself while you are alone.” We all felt the command take effect, and my dad stepped back.
“Now leave me alone.” She was fighting a losing battle against her tears as she curled around her stomach. “It’s okay, baby. Momma loved you so much.” My father nodded towards the door, and everyone filed out, even the doctor.
