Chapter 47

Atlas’ POV

Moments like these had me glad Dad was still alpha. I hated giving speeches and these were the fucking worst. Having to look someone in the eyes and tell them you’re sorry for their loss, all will be okay, or time will heal and all that other shit is just fucked up and it wasn’t true, because they weren’t going to be okay. The severing of a bond was not something so easily forgotten. If it didn’t kill you, the pain it caused would be a forever part of you.

I just wanted to walk away. Many had lost their lives tonight, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt such a heavy weight on my chest. If only I had been faster. If only I had been stronger. If I could have been in two places at once. Was our security lacking? Had I not made them train hard enough? The guilt of wondering if there was more I could have done was overwhelming even though I knew deep down I did my best.

I stood there half listening to his words knowing he felt the link break from them all even