5

The nurse was almost ready to talk when Ryan walked by, his white coat moving as he came in easy.

“That was a she-wolf from the floor above” he said indifferently “She's already been discharged.”

Declan didn’t even turn his head.

He had long known that the halls of the Pack Infirmary were places for big stories; rumors grew sharp claws and teeth as soon as they were told. Facts were often mixed up, especially when feelings got strong.

Besides, Ryan was speaking.

Declan trusted him.

More importantly, Declan trusted his own judgment.

He and Zara were always very careful. Really so. The mate link between them was not strong, never fully matched, and even with the Moon Goddess's help, Zara had a hard time getting pregnant.

A miscarriage?

That sounded implausible.

Yet, something pulled softly at the edge of his mind.

Softening his voice, Declan asked, “How is Zara? I heard she was also taken to the Pack Infirmary.”

Ryan’s fingers gripped the board in his hands. His look moved away, a quick flash of stress showing in his eyes before he hid it.

“Oh, her?” Ryan laughed a bit. “She’s okay. Just some small cuts. Not a big deal.”

He stopped on purpose, then said with a small grin, "Maybe she made it bigger when she learned you were here for Marina. You know how she is always wanting your notice."

While he talked, Ryan watched Declan’s face from the side of his eye.

Declan frowned a bit, a hint of impatience on his sharp face. Then he made a soft scoff and tur͏ned away, not interested at all.

That was all Ryan needed to see.

Only when Declan went did Ryan at last let go the breath he was holding.

He turned quick, and gave the two nurses next to him a warning look.

"No one can share any details about the she-wolf from a ward," he said coldly, "Not to anyone."

The nurses stiffened and nodded immediately.

Ryan saw Declan’s back as he walked away, his jaw clenching.

With Marina back at Declan’s side, Ryan would not let any problems come up.

Declan may hate Zara now, but Ryan understood Alpha feelings well. If Declan ever found out about the pup or sensed the wave of sadness through a mate link, things could go wrong fast.

While Ryan lived he would ensure Zara's plans did not work.

Zara got out of the Pack Infirmary two days later,

The first thing she done was buy a grave spot.

For her pup.

This kid had never been hugged by the world, not by the group, not by his Alpha dad, not even by luck itself.

There was no time to get small clothes, no chance to make a baby room, no songs sung under the bright light of the moon.

Zara walked right into the big store in the city and got all the baby things that the shop helper said. Clothes. Blankets, toys, shoes not bigger than her hand.

In the end, even the young salesgirl hesitated.

“Lady pups grow fast,” she said softly. “Buying this much now will only go to waste.”

Zara felt her nose sting sharply.

Her pup would never grow.

No matter how ready she thought she was, the second she looked at the tiny grave with soft ground still dark and wet, her calm broke apart totally.

Tears poured down her face, unstoppable.

Maybe this dog would have been cheerful and headstrong like her when she was young.

Or calm and sharp-eyed like Declan.

Maybe quiet. Maybe obedient.

Maybe lucky with a strong wolf Alpha in making.

A dog's life was meant to be endless, full of night runs and group fun

Zara thought of many futures, many chances. She thought about Declan’s response if he found out she had been͏ hiding his pup.

Shock.

Anger.

Perhaps regret.

Not once had she thought that the puppy would go before it even got here.

Their time together was very short.

This pup had chosen her as its mother.

And she had failed.

Failed to protect it.

Failed to save it.

"Ma'am," the groundskeeper said gently, feeling her sadness, "what name do you want on the stone?"

Zara froze.

Her pup hadn’t been given a name.

After a long quiet, she said softly, “Hope Ariane”

Forever, Hope would remain her child.

In the spirit world where lost dogs went, Hope would bring her dreams.

Hope would live on.

Tring.

Her phone vibrated in her trembling hand.

The name on the screen made her fingers tighten.

Violeta Jordan.

Declan’s mother. The former Luna of the pack.

“Zara.” Violeta said fast as the call linked, “I heard you didn’t come back to the pack house for three days. You’re getting brave now. Want to tell me why?”

Usually, Zara would have freaked out, tripping over words as she tried to explain every small thing.

Today, her voice was calm.

“There’s nothing to explain.”

There was a sharp pause on the other end.

“What kind of attitude is that?” Violeta demanded.

No matter what Zara said before, Violeta always found a problem. She used her words like tools to upset Declan.

She had never liked Zara.

After the joining event, Declan who hated the link had vanished for days on end, showing his no acceptance clearly.

Violeta had repeatedly ordered Zara to chase him down, to call him, to beg him to come home like a proper Luna should.

“You think you can just disappear?” Violeta continued harshly. “Do you forget your position in this pack?”

Zara stared at the small grave before her, the name freshly carved into stone.