Chapter 92
Skye’s POV
Hours passed.
The sun climbed higher, then began its gradual descent toward the western horizon. Still Adrian remained, motionless except for the occasional shift of his shoulders with each breath.
Pack members brought water, food, offers of company–all of which he acknowledged with the barest nod before returning to his silent communion with the
grave.
As twilight painted the desert in shades of purple and gold, I approached hesitantly, carrying a blanket and a flask of hot tea. The desert nights were cold, and Adrian had been sitting exposed to the elements all day.
“Adrian,” I called softly, not wanting to startle him. ‘It’s getting dark.”
He didn’t respond, didn’t turn to look at me. I moved closer, placing the blanket gently across his shoulders. His skin felt cold to the touch, as if the warmth had leached from his body along with Nadia’s life.
“You should come inside,” I suggested, keeping my voice gentle. “You need rest.”
For several minutes, he remained silent. Then, so quietly I almost missed it, “I can’t leave her alone.”
The simple statement broke something inside me. This powerful Alpha, this leader who had carved a home from barren desert and faced down enemies without flinching, sounded utterly lost.
I sank to the ground beside him, close enough that our shoulders touched. “She’s not alone,” I said softly. “She’s with her ancestors now, with all the wolves
who came before.”
Adrian turned to look at me then, and the raw anguish in his eyes stole my breath. “She was with me since we were children,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Every step of the way. Every trial, every victory. She was…”
His words faltered, strangled by emotion too powerful to voice. I reached out instinctively, taking his cold hand in mine. “I know,” I murmured, though I couldn’t possibly understand the depth of his loss. “I know.”
Something fractured in Adrian’s expression then–the careful control he’d maintained throughout the day splintering like ice in spring thaw. He leaned toward me, his forehead coming to rest against my shoulder as his body began to shake with silent sobs.
I wrapped my arms around him, holding him as the dam finally broke and grief poured forth in violent waves. His tears soaked through my shirt, hot against my skin as his arms clutched desperately around my waist.
I had never seen a man cry like this–raw, unrestrained, the sound tearing from his throat like something wounded. Adrian, who had always embodied strength and control, shattered completely in my embrace.
to
stroked his hair, murmuring soothing nonsense as I would the orphaned pups back at the compound. What could I possibly say that would ease this pain? What words could bridge the chasm left by Nadia’s absence?
Eventually, his sobs quieted, though his grip around my waist never loosened. When he finally spoke, his voice was ragged, barely recognizable.
‘I couldn’t protect her,‘ he whispered against my collarbone. “I should have…”
“Shhh,‘ I soothed, still stroking his hair. “She chose her path. She knew the risks.”
Adrian pulled back slightly, his amber eyes swimming with tears as they met mine. “I can’t lose anyone else,” he said, his voice breaking on the words. Not you. Not like I lost her.”
Before I could respond, his hands moved to frame my face, his touch gentle despite the desperation in his eyes.
“Skye,” he whispered, the sound of my name like a prayer on his lips. “Promise me you’ll never leave me. Promise me you’ll never let yourself get hurt.”
Chapter 92
my heart clench painfully in my chest. This wasn’t my strong,
The intensity in his gaze, the naked vulnerability in his request–it stole my breath, made my
someone else he cared about. confident Alpha speaking, but a man terrified of losing
I promise,” I whispered back, knowing even as I said it th
Adrian pulled me closer, burying his face in the curve of my
C uncertain world.
such promises were impossible to
Work his arms wrapping around me so tightly I could feel his heartbeat against my chest.
We stayed like that as darkness fell completely, two broken people finding brief solace in each other’s embrace while a fresh grave cast its long shadow across our future.
