Alpha River's eyes widened as he let out an incredulous howl. "No, Vera, I refuse. I will not sever our bond."
I looked at him, my heart heavy with sorrow, my wolf long since resigned to despair.
He fell silent for a moment, his wolf wrestling within his mind, then said, "Vera, give me time. I'll sort everything out. I won't let you leave me."
I said nothing more, turning my head away, my heart a frozen void. My wolf, too, fell silent.
At the pack doctor's, he rushed me into the doctor's arms.
The cub couldn't be saved after all. The blood loss was severe, and I needed treatment and rest in the cabin.
Alpha River stayed by my side the entire time, his face etched with regret and heartache, his wolf equally burdened with guilt.
I looked at him, my heart a tangled knot of emoti
