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“He almost died. Seven warriors did die. Joshua is missing, and Jasmin is lying in another room with a newborn she hasn't even woken up to hold.”
My voice breaks. “I left our pups with Martha because I didn't want them to see their father like this.”
Rylan lowers his head again, looking less like an Alpha and more like a son being scolded by his mother. “I'm sorry, Arlene.”
I take a deep breath. When I speak again, my voice is soft. “I'll forgive you eventually, but right now... I'm angry with you.” He nods. “You have every right to be.”
I take another breath. “Well, we can only move forward from here. You don’t need to tear yourself up, because I did enough of that for you just now. Now, you have to take responsibility and be the Alpha this pack needs. The Alpha Selena needs right now.”
Rylan looks at me. “Don't worry. Everything will work out, and we'll help you. We’ll all help you… after all your our Alpha. One bad decision doesn’t change that.” I glance at Darian. “Well, not Darian… he’s not helping, because he's recovering.”
“Ar..lene…”
“No. You are going to recover, or I swear our son and I will sit on you to force you to sit still.” Darian looks at me. I raise an eyebrow. He settles back against the pillows with a small groan. Rylan's mouth twitches as he tries not to laugh, but he wisely says nothing.
A moment passes. “Selena chose a great Beta.” I smile, “Selena chose a great Alpha. Now go be the man she knows you are.”
SELENA'S POV
Jasmin lies unconscious beneath the hospital blankets, her newborn daughter resting in Justin's arms, close to his chest. Jace and Jocelyn stand beside him while the doctor checks her condition.
“Selena, where are you?” Rylan's voice comes through our bond.
“With Jasmin and the kids.”
“I just got scolded by Arlene.” I glance toward the door.
“You chose a great Beta.” A small smile touches my lips.
“I know.”
“I'm on my way.” I turn my attention back to the children. Jocelyn looks up at Justin. “Where's Daddy? Why isn't he here with Mommy?”
Justin holds Jude a little closer. “Daddy's not here right now, sweetheart.”
She looks at Jasmin. “Why isn't Mommy waking up?”
The doctor moves closer to her. “Your mommy's body has been through a lot. She needs time to heal. We're doing everything we can to help her.” Jocelyn's eyes fill with tears. Justin's eyes unfocus for a moment as he mindlinks Jace. Jace immediately moves beside his sister and wraps his arms around her. Justin gives him a small nod.
I look at the children. “You can come back to the pack house with me if you'd like. Martha is there, and Damian and Darlene would be happy to see you.”
Jace looks toward the hallway. Several wounded wolves are being moved between rooms. He watches them for a moment before looking back at his mother, Justin, and the baby.
“Dad isn't coming, is he?” No one answers. Rylan reaches the doorway and stops. He looks at the children, then at Jasmin. Jace takes Jocelyn's hand and Justin's free hand.
“With all due respect, Luna Selena, we want to stay together as a family. We'll stay here until Mom wakes up or until we can take Jude home. I don't want to be away from them.”
Jocelyn nods. “I want to stay with Mommy.” Justin looks at me. “Thank you, Luna Selena. But I think we should stay together.” I nod. “Then that's what we'll do. You don't have to leave each other.”
Justin looks down at the newborn. “Little Jude,” he whispers. He moves closer to Jasmin's bed. “Mom, this is Jude. She's here.” He carefully lowers the baby so Jasmin can see her if she wakes. “Don't worry about us, Mom. I'll take care of Jace, Jocelyn, and Jude until you wake up. You just focus on healing, okay? I'll make sure everybody's okay.”
I rest a hand on his shoulder. “You don't have to do everything alone, Justin. We're here for you.” He nods, but his eyes remain on his mother. Rylan stands quietly beside the doorway. Through our bond, I feel the weight of his grief. I move beside him and take his hand.
He looks at the children, then at Jasmin. Neither of us says anything. That afternoon, Rylan sends patrols to recover the seven fallen warriors and continue searching for Joshua. By evening, all seven have been brought home. Joshua is still missing.
*****
The next morning, we visit the families of the fallen. At each home, Rylan listens. Some families speak about their loved ones. Others can barely speak at all. We sit with them, hear their memories, and make sure they know Silver Moon will stand beside them.
