MAYA
“Hey,” Finn murmured, pressing me closer against his chest. “Are you alright? Can I get you anything?”
“No,” I shook my head slowly. “H-How did he die? Was he sick?”
Finn hesitated just a fraction, but I felt it in the way his arms tightened.
“He wasn’t sick,” he said quietly. “They were returning from the Annual Moon Goddess Worship Ceremony when Ferals attacked. A dozen of them, maybe more. They killed a hundred warriors, Alphas, six elders, and injured others badly.”
“Kael’s grandfather?” I asked.
“Yes. Elder Eldric. He’s the only high-ranking survivor they’ve confirmed so far. A few Alphas ran when it started, but your father… he stayed, and fought. He took wounds meant for Eldric.”
A faint, bittersweet smile tugged at my lips despite everything. “That sounds like Dad. Alwa
