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A third rests a hand on his shoulder. “We would have been dead without you.”

Darian looks down for a moment. More pack members come to him. Some shake his hand. Others embrace him carefully, mindful of the injuries he has only recently healed from.

Paige stands nearby with Milo and Piper. Arlene remains beside him.

Through our mate bond, I feel Rylan’s guilt deepen. He watches the pack members thanking Darian, after Darian warned him, Joshua warned him, and Michael trusted him.

Then he looks toward the seven coffins. I take his hand. He looks at me. After a moment, he steps forward again.

“May the Moon Goddess welcome our fallen warriors into her care. May their families find comfort in the love surrounding them. And may Silver Moon always remember the courage that brought our people home.”

Rylan bows his head. For a moment, the pack is silent and bows their heads. Rylan lifts his head up to the sky and unleashes a gut wrenching howl. The pack follows, and howls are heard throughout the territory.

I hold his hand as Silver Moon honors its fallen. When the ceremony ends, Rylan approaches Darian. “Darian, can I see you in my office later?”

Arlene stands beside him, one hand resting over her pregnant stomach. I can feel how hard she's holding back from saying something. Darian looks at Rylan, then nods, “Yes, Alpha.”

34

Darian's POV

The next day, I stand outside Alpha Rylan's office and knock. “Come in.”

I open the door. Alpha Rylan sits behind his desk, but he rises when he sees me. His eyes move over my shoulder, then down to my leg. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

“You should still be resting.”

“I was told you wanted to see me.”

He nods. “I did. Have a seat.”

I lower myself into the chair across from him. My ribs pull when I settle back, but the pain is nothing compared to what it was three days ago. The silver has slowed my healing, though most of the wounds have already closed.

Alpha Rylan remains standing for a moment before sitting down.

“I owe you an apology.”

I look at him.

“I should have listened to you. You came to me with a concern about our pack members, and I dismissed it. Then Joshua and Michael brought the concern to me again, and I still refused to postpone the trip.”

His jaw tightens. “I made you submit when you were trying to protect the pack. You weren't challenging me, and I knew that. I let my fear and my pride get in the way of listening to you.”

I say nothing. Alpha Rylan looks down at his desk. “Michael trusted me. He brought his mate and pups because I told him it was safe. I betrayed that trust.” The room goes quiet.

“Seven warriors are dead,” he continues. “Joshua is missing. Jasmin is in the hospital with a newborn she hasn't even woken up to hold. Michael is still unconscious. And you nearly died bringing everyone home.”

I look toward the window. “I know what happened.”

“I know you do.” He takes a breath. “I can't undo it. But I can tell you that I was wrong, and I can make sure I don't dismiss you like that again.”

I look back at him. Alpha Rylan meets my eyes. “You've earned my trust, Darian. You earned it long before that trip. I should have recognized that.” My wolf stirs.

About time.

“Not now.”