TM [Complete ✔️]

25. Sleep

Zane's P.O.V

I took only a second to regain my breath but regretted it immediately.

Without the unwanted distraction of fighting for my life and that of my pack members, I saw the absolute destruction the rogues had caused. All the work we'd put in, all the sleepless nights with meeting after meeting to figure out what was best for Silver Claws, gone.

The garden, from what little I could spot from here, was completely wrecked. There were torn leaves, plants kicked to the side, materials broken and scattered around, and covers either ripped to shreds or wrapped around a warrior to dismantle him or her.

And the smoke - it was everywhere. Flames licked at our cheeks, their cracking drowning out the sounds of screaming and death, burning the bodies of my fallen members.

I could feel my stomach heave with each lost life, feel my chest tighten to the point of pain with each snapped link of my wolves. My wolves, whom I'd failed to protect. They were right to say you never knew how much something meant until you lost it and I so desperately wished I knew.

I wish I knew I hadn't put in the work just for the sake of distracting myself, I wish I'd told Julian, who was fighting alongside me, jumping in front of the enemy without a second thought, how much I appreciated his help and advice, his attempts at friendship I'd turned down; I wish I'd told my Gamma couple how thankful I was that because of them, we lasted as long as we did today, for reassuring the females they were just as capable, If not better fighters, than the males, and for fighting anyone who disagreed off.

I wish I thanked my daughter's nanny for showing up every day with a smile on my face and for bringing one spare for me on the days I didn't feel enough, for cooking and cleaning and loving my pup as her own despite my initial treatment towards her.

I wish I'd recognized how much effort truly went into the gardens and showed the gardeners I appreciated them for putting it in. Even Sofia - I wish I'd admired the strength to smile, to laugh, to keep going and follow her dreams despite what she'd gone through and despite me making it harder for her.

She was clearly stronger than me, and perhaps, if I survived, one day I'd let her know.

But most of all, I wish I had seen what a gift I was given earlier. The fact that I had a goal to work toward, that I had wolves relying on me, and the smiles on their faces when I met their expectations without even noticing it.

"Zion?" I mumbled. "I wanted to say I never regretted having you back and I never will. I hope you'll forgive me?" My wolf scoffed before shaking his head.

"I could never be mad at you," He said. "But you're still the biggest i***t I know." He knew I knew that. That I'd been feeling that way all day now.

If I survived today, I promised, I'd show my pack how much I appreciate them. I'd show them that they really are my pack and it wasn't just a formality.

Sofia's P.O.V

"Um, Alpha, it's Sofia." I inwardly cursed myself. Because saying my name while my voice trembled was a sure way to have this Alpha travel four hours by car with a bunch of his warriors to come save Zane's.

"Why do you have Zane's phone?" He growled.

I'd forgotten how impatient the guy was.

"You're doing great," Sam encouraged, sending comfort down our bond.

"He asked me to call you and ask for your help, our pack is under attack!" I continued more urgently.

"And he's not calling me himself?" Doubt and straight annoyance laced the Alpha's tone. He was going to hang up, I could feel it.

"He's fighting but you're aware that our numbers aren't great. Without your help, our pack won't make it!"

As soon as the words rolled off my tongue, a new tear rolled down my cheek. It just hit me how truly dire the situation was, it seemed.

"Right, and I haven't gotten word about the attack from anyone other than a random she-wolf." My gaze snapped to the smoke climbing in through the window, my heart slamming rapidly inside my chest. "Don't waste my time, miss." Snapped away from my thoughts, and the window, I gripped the phone until it dented my hand.

"I'm not a random she-wolf! I-I'm Zane's second mate!" He was hanging up despite me spilling my, our, biggest secret to him. "Your sister was a healer, she-she was his mate and his wife. Her name was Rose and she always wore a necklace with a moon and a rose around her neck!" I spat random information I'd gathered about my mate's wife.

I hadn't snooped for it but when others talked, I couldn't help but listen in. And now, while I was in his bedroom, the picture on his nightstand...

"Word has it you saved little Beyla, her name means little bean and-and I don't know a whole lot because Zane and I don't really talk but,"

"Quiet!" He heaved, his heavy breathing filling my ear. "Fine, let's say you're his mate. If he doesn't talk to you then why are you on the phone with me and not his Beta?"

"Alpha, they're fighting! I told you, our numbers are low, please!" I wasn't opposed to begging if it meant I'd keep Beyla, the old man I'd begun calling my closest buddy, my mate, and my gardener friends safe.

Silence filled the line, making me check if he'd hung up. He hadn't. Yet.

Running over to the still-open window, I snapped a quick photo of what was happening outside and sent it to him, hearing the quiet sound of a received notification on his end.

"This is what you'd be leaving us to die with if you don't help!" I shouted, my voice breaking.

"We're on our way." With that, and my sigh of relief, he hung up.

Only then did I actually see the destruction. The flames were everywhere, burning our territory to ashes. Peeking out the window, I heaved for air as I watched our warriors run around, fighting any rogue they could spot only for ten more to appear out of nowhere.

I didn't realize I was sobbing until my knees banged on the ground. My hand flew to my mouth as I coughed, feeling as my world came apart little by little.

My home, although I couldn't see it from here, was probably gone by now, along with my final box of memories from my little family. The pictures of Lily as a little pup while she smiled for the first time, her first bath, her, covered in baby food. The pictures of my mate I'd taken as he trained that one time, of him with his hand on my bump while I was pregnant with our daughter. The few drawings my daughter made I'd allowed myself to keep, as well as Rowan's shirt I slept in and the first outfit my sweet girl ever wore, all belonged to the fire now.

My most precious items were probably reduced to ashes as if I'd imagined my family, as if they had never existed.

My sobs became louder but I didn't care. I didn't care if rogues heard me and came to finish me off, nor did I care for the room, which was quickly filling up with smoke and slowly making it harder and harder to breathe.

None of it mattered as I hugged my knees, clawing at any skin I could get my hands on until I drew blood.

It didn't matter what kind of stupid promises I'd made to myself or that Zane wanted nothing to do with me.

Good for him, at least now as I passed out and eventually died, he would be free of me again.

***

I was lightheaded, my eyes closed shut and tearing up any time I tried to pull them open. I was so, so tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. Coughs left my lungs every few seconds but other than that, I knew I'd get to sleep soon. I just knew.

"Sofia!" Someone yelled, the sound of their footsteps getting closer echoing in my ears. Or maybe I was imagining it - I had no idea.

Suddenly, I was floating, moving, perhaps, but it didn't matter as I finally stopped coughing and fell asleep.

A/N

Hi, Treasures! Make sure you join my F-a-c-e-b-o-o-k group Teddy's Treasures for extra content and discussions! Will Sofia survive?