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She doesn’t stop as her pack filters in, joining her and crying out. I see her mother rush across the grass, her hands covering her mouth as we head her way, grim and determined. Quinn doesn’t stop until she is before her mother, and then she gently lowers down, catching her father before she lays him at her mother’s feet.
She shifts and kneels before her mother, her head bowed.
Her mother swallows, and tears flow down her face before she sinks to her knees, her hands hovering over her mate before she turns and embraces her daughter.
The pack mourns as howls echo around the burnt land, the remnants of the pack house standing behind the grieving woman.
Hands reach for them, showing their support, until the whole pack is crowded around them, touching each other.
We step back, lingering at the tree line, knowing we don’t belong, but when she lifts her head, her gaze seeks us out, and she relaxes when she sees us.
It’s in that moment that she steals whatever is left of my heart and soul.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Ican see them trying to blend in with the trees, but like it or not, they are part of us now. We usually have to vote new members in, especially if they were turned, which is very rare, but they saved my life and fought by our side. In my books, they’re already pack.
When my mum pulls me to my feet, embracing me again, I find them once more, silently demanding they don’t leave.
Pulling back, my mum cups my face, tears still streaming down her cheeks. “I thought I’d lost you too. I thought I’d lost my entire family.”
“Never,” I murmur, kissing her hand. “I’m sorry, Mum. I couldn’t save him. I tried?—”
She covers my mouth. “I know. We all do. We saw you. You tried to save him, but you couldn’t. If anyone could have, it would have been you, but he died fighting for his pack, for his daughter, and we will honour that.” There is so much pain in her voice, I’m surprised she’s standing.
Losing a mate is usually a death sentence, but my mum stands tall, shouldering it. I know her soul is fractured because when we mate, we give pieces of ourselves to our mate. We handover our heart and soul, so when one perishes, it usually takes the other.
You cannot live with half a soul, but here she stands.
“How is everyone?” I ask.
“Let’s walk and talk.” She peers down at Jang, and I see her composure crumble, so I wrap my arms around her, holding her up.
“I’ll carry him,” I promise, kissing her cheek. Leaning down, I hoist my father up and glance at Vale, Lucien, and Jai. “They are with me. Welcome them and show them to my cabin, then feed and clothe them.” I meet their eyes. “You will be there when I return.”
I turn away, carrying my father as my mother walks at my side.
He will need to be prepared for the ceremony. I head to a small cottage nestled between the trees. It is our holy ground, and the door is already open. A solemn-looking wolf stands there with his head bowed.
I walk past and carefully lay my father down on the wooden bench. I right his arms and legs, not looking too carefully at him, but my fingers linger on the holes in his palms—palms that held my hands so many times.
Swallowing, I lean down and kiss his forehead. “I love you, Daddy. Thank you for everything. I promise to keep this pack safe for you.”
I turn away before I break down again, and Marie and I embrace each other and cry, sinking to the ground.
For a moment, nothing else exists but our shared pain.
Our loss.
We talk as we walk, moving down the path towards the lake and my house. I see the chimney pumping out smoke, and I can smell the guys inside which relaxes me. They are safe—for now.
“How is everyone?” I ask. My face is still puffy from crying, but I need to focus. I promised Jang I would look after this pack, and even if I will never be alpha, they have my loyalty. They are lost, and I need to make sure they are taken care of and led correctly.
A pack without an alpha is like a body without a heart.
It cannot function.
“Grieving, lost, and scared. We worried the hunters would come back,” she admits, holding my hand, the moon lighting our way.
