Jerry is not a threat right now. Bae will decide what to do with him.
My heart aches with sorrow as I run away from my father’s beaten body. I had so much hope in my heart that I could learn about where I came from, fill that hole inside me that never stopped yearning for a real connection.
Now I don’t just have my old wounds to carry. I endangered my wife, my pack, and myself out of blind hope and ignorance.
Burying these feelings as deeply as I can, I shake off the lingering shreds of melancholy.
The only thing that matters is Alisa. She’s the only connection I ever needed, and I was just too blind to see it.
By the time I get to the edge of the clearing, the witches are gathered in a small circle, and I can’t see her anywhere.
Where is she?
As I get closer, I realize she’s in the middle of the circle, and the others are gathered around her. I push my wolf shape harder than I ever have, feeling my body reach new levels of strength and stamina as I overcome the injuries I just sustained.
“Alisa!” I yell once I’ve shifted back to my human shape and reached the circle.
She looks up at me. Our eyes meet for the briefest of seconds before she wavers and collapses all at once like a wooden doll that had its strings cut.
Chapter 25 - Alisa
I’m drifting in a warm, comfortable darkness, wrapped in safety and heavy with sleep. The world around me feels soft and fuzzy, and gentle sounds lull me into a stupor.
Am I dead?
As sensation returns to me, I realize the last thing I remember is seeing the love of my life being betrayed by his family. The pain of that moment echoes through me, penetrating my soul.
No. Poor Jenks! No, not again!
Even though I was afraid for a moment that he’d betrayed me, my heart knew it couldn’t be true. The pain in his eyes and the terrible loss in his soul told me everything I needed to know.
And I stood by him, just like I promised—right to the end.
I struggle a little, trying to regain some feeling or thought, but it’s like swimming in heavy, dark clouds. I can barely move, and my thoughts are floating just out of reach.
Maybe I am dead.
The thought causes me more pain. Jenks has suffered enough in his life, and he shouldn’t have to lose me, too.
Then I remember my daughter.
I reach for her, as I so often have over the last couple of days. I can’t sense her light or feel her heartbeat. Panic fills me, banishing the clouds of pain and disorientation.
Wake up!
“Wake up, Alisa, please wake up.”
Jenks!
As I struggle to rise, I can feel his hand on mine, holding on to me and not letting me drift away. I cling to that sensation and follow his love, letting it bring me out of the darkness.
“Jenks,” I murmur, finally opening my eyes. The room is warm and bright, with very soft, wavering light.
I’m in a hospital!
“What happened?” I ask, struggling to sit up. “What’s going on?”
“It’s okay, just rest,” Jenks says, putting a hand on my chest and gently pushing me back down. “You really scared me.”