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My legs give out before I make it more than a few steps. I drop to the floor with Arlene protected against my chest, then drag myself backward until my back hits the corner of the room. The cold floor presses through the thin hospital clothes and into my bare feet and legs. The floor is cold beneath me, and my mate is cold in my arms.

I wrap myself around her anyway, covering as much of her lifeless body with mine as I can.

“There.” I rub my hand up and down her arm, trying to warm her skin. It doesn't warm beneath my touch. Her chest doesn't rise against mine. She doesn't move closer or complain that I'm squeezing her too tightly. “That's better. Just stay with me.”

Mate cold.

"I know."

No breath.

My throat closes. "Stop."

Can't feel mate.

"She's right here."

My wolf reaches through our bond again, searching desperately for her. There is nothing. No emotion. No warmth. No answering presence. I lower my face to hers, searching for the soft brush of breath against my skin even though I already know I won't find it.

Nothing.

“She's right fucking here.” My voice breaks as I pull Arlene's lifeless body tighter against my chest.

The door opens quietly. I hear footsteps cross the room before they stop several feet away from us.

“Darian?”

A doctor's voice. Soft. Careful.

I don't look at him. I keep rubbing Arlene's arm. “She's cold.”

Silence fills the room.

“I need to warm her up.” I pull her closer and tuck her face against my neck. “She hates being cold.”

“Darian, I'm so sorry.”

My wolf growls.

I finally look at him. “Don't.”

He stays where he is. “We did everything we could.”

“I said don't.”

“Her injuries were too severe. The poison already in her system, the silver, the blood loss...”

“Stop talking.”

He falls silent.

I look back down at Arlene and stroke my thumb across her cold cheek. “Damian is safe, baby. Darlene is safe. Arian is safe. Paige has them.” Tears spill down my face and land against hers. “They're waiting for you. Your pups are waiting for you.”

My wolf reaches for her again and whimpers when nothing answers. Mate gone?

“No.” I rock Arlene gently against me. “She's right here.”

Can't feel mate.