Mira's POV
The text came at 7 AM.
*Pack emergency. Elder Thorne collapsed. I'm at the hospital. I'll be there as soon as I can. I promise. - K*
Mira stared at the message, coffee going cold in her hands. Brielle was upstairs in her costume — a pilgrim dress with a white bonnet that Estelle had made.
Another text: *Please don't tell her yet. I'm doing everything I can to make it.*
This was exactly what Kieran used to do. Promise. Get pulled away. Leave Brielle waiting.
Except this time, it was a real emergency. Elder Thorne was eighty-seven, had been Caspian's Beta. If he died, half the pack would mourn.
But Brielle wouldn't understand that.
She'd only understand that Daddy wasn't there.
"Mommy!" Brielle's voice echoed down. "Can you help me with my bonnet?"
