Epilogue

Raphas felt her scream deep in his bones.

That was two days ago. He heard it when he was outside with Max, teaching him how to wield a weapon, the way his brother had taught him. He looked up sharply. It was her voice, he was certain of it. His heart's pace quickened and sweat beaded on his forehead. It was as if Bea's voice was still ringing in his ears.

She wasn't dead.

His heart was filled with joy and relief. He crouched and fisted dirt in his hand and Max approached him. He looked at the boy and ruffled his hair. "Everything's fine, Max. Don't worry about me."

Everything is more than fine. He hadn't felt her in weeks. He felt it acutely when their bond had severed. He couldn't stand the pain. He assumed she had been killed, and he howled for two days and two nights. The pain was overwhelming and left him bedridden for days. If Amanda hadn't tended to him, he'd be dead along with her.

But now he's certain that she's alive. He has had two days to think of what to do next, and he's finally decided. He looks at the Moon shining brightly in the sky. He thanks Her profusely for this moment. He needs to set out and look for her. He needs to find her. His quest to build a pack will be abandoned for the time being.

He feels Amanda's hand on his shoulder. "Raphas, my love, what is it?" He looks into her deep blue eyes, filled with sincerity and love for him. He will have to let her down. There is no way.

"I need to tell you something."

She nods. "So do I."

"You go first," he says out of courtesy. He'll have the final say. "I'm all ears."

"I’ve heard news from the scouts that your brother is to be executed at BloodPaw."

His stomach drops and he frowns. "Reed? Executed? On what charges."

"They say he stole another's mate, BlackFur's heir's mate, to be more precise."

He freezes from head to toe. Even his racing heart skips a beat at her words. "Bea?"

She nods. "All this time you were mourning her death while she was in bed with your brother."

His heart skips another beat. He's sweating profusely now. He thinks of Reed and he sees red. "No, Bea would never do such a thing to me. Not Bea."

Amanda sneers. "You don't know that. How can you be so sure?"

He raises his eyes. "I know my brother."

He stands and stares at the horizon. His heart aches terribly in his chest. Bea mated to Reed. There's nothing more painful than this. He closes his eyes. The pain is consuming and blinding. He opens them again.

"What are you going to do?" Amanda asks and moves to stand beside him. "You won't leave me, will you? Not again. Not for her."

He does not give her an answer, but he will have to go. Bea needs his help, the BlackFur are known for their cruelty. He knows Gavin of BlackFur.

The wind howls, and Amanda tears up and rushes from his side. She's a good female, would make a brilliant Luna, but she is not Bea. She never will be.

"I'm coming, Bea," he says to the wind. "I'm coming for you."