For those of you who are still reading, thank you for sticking with me. I knew my decision to send Brynlee off into the void would not be popular but I have a vision for my characters and I have to be true to that. Rhett was exactly who Brynlee needed when she needed him, but he still has a lot of personal growth to do. His story will continue in the next and final book in this series. As for Brynlee, who knows if or when she might turn up. We'll have to wait to find out. As always, thank you for reading!
Dane"I'm going to talk to Alpha Bennett," I decide, already moving toward my formal diplomatic attire. "Find out exactly what's been said in council meetings, who's been undermining her authority. If pack politics are contributing to her emotional state, we need to address that directly.""And I'll try to get more information about the perimeter situation," Liam adds, falling into step with my planning. "If there really was a disturbance, we need to know about it. If she's using pack business to avoid us, we need to know that too."We part ways in the corridor, our coordination automatic despite the stress of recent days. The enhanced bond makes cooperation effortless even when our emotional connection feels strained, another reminder of how much we've changed since the consciousness merger.I find Alpha Bennett in his office, reviewing reports that look suspiciously like damage assessments from recent supernatural events. He glances up as I enter, his expression shifting from profes
DaneI wake to emptiness where Finley should be, the physical space beside me cold despite her having left bed only minutes ago. Through our bond, I sense her in the bathroom, the emotional walls she's constructed so thick that only fragments of her true feelings leak through—guilt, exhaustion, and beneath it all, a bone-deep conviction that she doesn't deserve the love Liam and I keep offering."She's pulling further away," Liam murmurs from his position on the other side of the bed, his voice heavy with concern and frustration. "I can feel it through the bond. Every day, she builds those walls higher."I nod, Summit stirring restlessly beneath my skin as he responds to our mate's distress. The enhanced connection that should be bringing us closer together has become a source of constant worry instead—feeling her pain without being able to alleviate it, sensing her withdrawal without being able to breach the barriers she's erected around her heart."Five days," I say quietly, running
Finley "I need some air," I announce, standing abruptly and heading for the door. "I'll be back later.""Finley—" Dane starts, but I'm already leaving, using my Alpha candidate status to prevent them from following when protocol would normally allow mates to accompany each other anywhere.The pack grounds are busy with late afternoon activities—training sessions, security patrols, the normal rhythm of pack life that continues despite the recent tragedy. I find myself walking toward the administrative building, drawn by the familiar sounds of pack business that used to give me purpose.Voices drift from the open window of the council meeting room, and I pause just outside, recognizing my father's voice among others."—succession planning needs to be addressed immediately," comes Councilman Ward's distinctive tone. "Recent events have demonstrated the volatility of relying on unprepared leadership.""Finley has proven herself repeatedly," Dad replies, his defense of me making my chest
Finley Four days since we returned from the between-space. Four days since Brynlee sacrificed herself to bring us home safely. Four days since my brother's world ended, and I can't stop feeling like it's my fault.I stand outside the medical wing where Rhett remains under constant supervision, a tray of his favorite foods growing cold in my hands. The doctors say he's not eating, barely speaking, existing in that hollow state that happens when a wolf loses their mate. They're worried he might not survive the severed bond, that his body will simply give up without Brynlee's presence to anchor him to life."He's not ready for visitors," the head nurse says gently, the same words she's given me for the past three days. "Alpha candidate, I know you want to help, but right now he needs—""He needs his mate," I interrupt, my voice sharper than intended. "He needs Brynlee back, and that's never going to happen because of me."The healer's expression softens with sympathy that makes my chest
Liam The chamber falls silent again, but this time the quiet feels heavy with grief rather than relief. Our successful rescue, our triumphant return, is completely overshadowed by the devastating cost of bringing us home.I watch Finley's face crumple as the full weight of what just happened hits her. Through our enhanced bond, I feel the war of emotions tearing her apart—overwhelming relief and joy at being reunited with Dane and me, immediately followed by crushing guilt for feeling happiness while her brother suffers the ultimate loss."Rhett," she whispers, tears streaming down her face. "Oh God, Rhett. She saved us and now he's..." She can't finish the sentence, her voice breaking on a sob that seems to come from the depths of her soul."This is my fault," she continues, the words tumbling out in a rush of grief and self-recrimination. "If I hadn't gotten trapped in that space, if we hadn't needed rescuing, Brynlee would still be alive. Rhett would still have his mate. Maya woul
Liam The chamber falls silent again, but this time the quiet feels heavy with grief rather than relief. Our successful rescue, our triumphant return, is completely overshadowed by the devastating cost of bringing us home.I watch Finley's face crumple as the full weight of what just happened hits her. Through our enhanced bond, I feel the war of emotions tearing her apart—overwhelming relief and joy at being reunited with Dane and me, immediately followed by crushing guilt for feeling happiness while her brother suffers the ultimate loss."Rhett," she whispers, tears streaming down her face. "Oh God, Rhett. She saved us and now he's..." She can't finish the sentence, her voice breaking on a sob that seems to come from the depths of her soul."This is my fault," she continues, the words tumbling out in a rush of grief and self-recrimination. "If I hadn't gotten trapped in that space, if we hadn't needed rescuing, Brynlee would still be alive. Rhett would still have his mate. Maya woul