The war did not end when the enemy retreated.
It followed them home.
Sirens screamed across Blue Lake territory as convoy after convoy raced toward the pack hospital. Smoke still clung to their clothes. Blood stained their hands. The metallic taste of battle refused to leave their mouths.
Alexander sat in the back seat of the lead SUV, holding Arianna’s unconscious body against his chest.
He had not spoken since the battlefield.
He had not blinked much either.
His entire world had narrowed to the faint rise and fall of her breathing — so weak it terrified him.
“Stay with me,” he whispered repeatedly, his voice hoarse from screaming orders and rage.
Her head rested against his shoulder, silver hair matted with blood and ash. One of his large hands covered her stomach protectively, a
