"I don't care." James's voice was ice. "Turn it off. Now."

The healer looked at me, then back at James. "Alpha, I need authorization from the head healer—"

"I'm the Alpha of this pack." His voice was quiet but deadly. "My authority supercedes every other person in this pack. If you question me again, I will exile you from the pack, and make you live the rest of your life as a miserable rogue. Do you understand?"

The healer’s face went pale as she quickly did as he said with tears in her eyes, unable to resist the alpha's command.

"No!" I lunged forward, but James caught me easily, holding me back.

"Please," I sobbed. "Please, she's all I have. She's my mother. Please—"

The ventilator went silent.

The heart monitor's beeping slowed.

"James, please!" I dropped to my knees, sobbing. "Please don't do this! I'm begging you!"

He looked down at me. "Apologize to Mia."

"I'll apologize!" I screamed. "I'll apologize for anything! Just please, James, please don't do this!"

He stared at me for a long moment.

"Turn it back on!" I screamed. "Please, turn it back on!"

But then a voice called from the hallway. "Alpha!"

Another healer appeared in the doorway, breathless. "It's Mia! She's having a panic attack! She can't breathe—"

James released me immediately. "Gather every healer in this clinic. Now. No harm must come to Mia or that pup."

Then he ran out of the room. To my horror, he dragged the healer from Alice's room with him.

I rushed outside frantically.

"Help!" I screamed into the hallway. "Somebody help me! Please!"

But everyone was gone, running to help Mia, on the alpha's orders.

I looked at the machines, at the buttons and switches.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to Alice. "I'm so sorry. I don't know how to—"

I tried pressing buttons, flipping switches, but nothing worked.

Alice's heart monitor slowed further, the beeping got fainter.

"No, no, no," I sobbed. "Please, Mama. Please don't leave me. Please—"

The monitor flatlined.

"No!" I threw myself across her body. "Mama! Mama, please!"

But she was gone. Her wolf's life force had faded completely.

I don't know how long I stayed there, sobbing over her body, my own wolf releasing a broken howl.

Eventually, the healers came back. They tried to pull me away, but I wouldn't let go.

Guards had to be called to drag me out of the room while I screamed and fought, my wolf thrashing.