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The question goes straight through my chest.

“I tried, son.”

“Then why is she dead?”

My mouth opens. Nothing comes out.

Because I've been asking myself the same fucking question.

All that power. All that strength.

And his mother is still dead.

Damian's bottom lip trembles. “I want my mom.”

“So do I.”

“I want her back.”

“I know.”

He launches himself at me.

I catch him. His arms wrap around my neck as his body shakes against mine. Darlene crawls into my other side, pressing herself against me and Arian.

“I want Mommy,” she sobs.

“I know, baby.”

Arian cries between us, too young to understand why his brother and sister are falling apart.

My wolf curls around our pups.

Pups hurt.

"I know."

Make better.

My eyes close. "I don't know how."

His grief presses against mine.

Stay with pups.

I hold them tighter. "Always."

So I stay.

I sit on the floor with all three of my children wrapped around me. I let Damian be angry. I let Darlene cry for her mother. I hold Arian against my chest while his tiny body shakes with every scream.

I don't know how long we stay there. I don't know how to live without Arlene. I don't know how to wake up tomorrow without my mate beside me. I don't know how to raise Damian, Darlene, and Arian without the woman who knew exactly what each of them needed before they ever had to ask.

But Damian's arms are wrapped around my neck. Darlene's hand is twisted in my shirt. Arian's heartbeat pounds against my chest.

My wolf gathers himself around them.

Our pups.