It was a female's presence—soft, satisfied, laced with drowsiness and mockery.
Raven Frosthollow.
"Oh my, if it isn't Selene."
"Alaric left his mind open to me when he fell asleep in my den."
"So you really accepted the Bond Rejection?"
"Yes, I accepted it. Can you wake him now? Tell him to come back—something's happened to Lily—"
I fought to keep my composure.
A soft laugh came through the mind-link.
"Lily's having a breathing collapse? Please. You'd do anything to save this bond—cry wolf enough times and no one believes you anymore."
In my arms, my pup let out a feeble whimper. Something inside me snapped.
"Make him come back! She needs help! This is his own pup! Raven, you'll pay for this!"
Raven just laughed, her presence dripping with contempt through our shared connection.
"Honestly? It'd be better if she died. Alaric's going to have a new pup anyway."
The link severed.
I stood there in the bitter wind, clutching my daughter as her small body went limp in my arms. The hatred that surged through me in that moment—it eclipsed even my terror.
Alaric. Raven.
If anything happens to my pup tonight, I will bury your entire bloodline with her.
In the end, that healer with his glowing rune-stones became the regret I would carry for the rest of my life.
The pack healer emerged from the healing den, lowered his herb-stained hands, and shook his head.
The world didn't collapse. It simply went silent. Completely, utterly silent.
I didn't cry. I just felt something blunt push into my chest and start sawing back and forth until the pain turned to numbness.
I went through the motions mechanically—death rites, selecting a burial ground in the sacred grove, arranging the pyre ceremony.
Every ritual required a pack member's mark. The ceremonial blade trembled so violently in my hand I could barely make my cut.
Somewhere in that haze, I reached out to Alaric through our fading bond.
I wanted to tell him our pup was gone.
I wanted him to see Lily one last time.
First attempt—blocked.
Second attempt—blocked.
The third time, a cold message pushed through the weakened thread between us.
Alaric: Stop trying to reach me. Speak to the pack elders if you have something to say. When you've accepted reality, meet me at the Elder Stone for the Bond Rejection.
I stared at those cold words until my eyes burned dry. Not a single tear fell.
I sent back: Fine. Next moon. Elder Stone. I'll be there.