Chapter Sixty-Two

Kerry

Demetria followed quietly beside Kerry on their way to the pack house. It’d taken over an hour for her to gain the courage to leave the room. Even with Claire reassuring Demetria, and Kerry on her side, Demetria was hurting.

The guilt felt like it would eat her alive.

It showed she had a soft heart, but it made Kerry fear that it would weigh her down just after she freed herself.

Kerry interlaced his fingers with hers. He hadn’t been to the pack house since the night before, but he figured it would be doom and gloom. He sensed the pack’s heartache well into the night, until he finally had to block his mind from any mind link so that he could sleep.

The closer they walked to the pack house, the harder Demetria’s heart pounded.

“There is no need to be nervous, D.”

She pressed her mouth into a hard line. “I don’t know if I can face them right now. Grace, Axel … all the pack...”

Kerry turned her to face her. “We need to see them now. Waiting will look like we don’t care.” He tipped her chin upward and wiped away a stray tear. “Don’t cry. I’ve got you. I will never let anyone from my pack harm you. You’re my mate.”

She stared back at him for several seconds before nodding. “Okay.”

Kerry wrapped her into the crook of his arm, and tugged her toward the back porch. The smell of food wafted from the door as Kerry opened it.

Several shewolves stood around the kitchen, getting lunch ready. Silence overtook the room, and Demetria stiffened beside him.

“Ladies—” he started.

Georgia, one of the older shewolves Kerry had known for ages, rushed over and took Demetria into a giant hug.

Her gaze shifted toward his, and confusion lingered on her face. “Sweet girl,” she said, pulling back to palm her face. “Are you okay? I heard last night was rough.”

Demetria nodded. “I’m fine. Are you all okay?”

They glanced at one another. “Of course we are. Grace is shaky, but Axel is upstairs with her. Perhaps you two should go check on them, and bring this food tray when you go? They skipped breakfast, and they both need to eat.”

Demetria took the food carefully. “Sure.”

Kerry took the tray from her once they rounded the corner when he noticed her hands trembling. Kerry sensed Grace’s pain the closer they grew to her room. Demetria wrung her hands together, and carefully knocked on the door.

Axel answered it.

He looked distraught. Like he’d been up all night, which Kerry assumed they both had been. They’d closed their mind links, not that Kerry thought to reach out. They both needed time to mourn. “Hey,” Kerry said. “Georgia sent some food up for you both. Can we come in?”

Axel avoided both of their eyes but opened the door wide. Kerry watched Demetria walk inside on shaky legs and stop near the door.

Grace’s eyes looked puffy, and she only wore a robe. He’d never seen her look so bad before.

“Luna Grace,” Kerry said, setting the tray down on the edge of her bed.

She glanced up at him, and the floodgates opened. She fell into his arms and sobbed. He felt Demetria’s grief behind him. Grace pulled back and wiped at her eyes. When she looked at Demetria a soft, sad smile pulled at her mouth. “Dear. Come here.”

Demetria walked over and Grace pulled her down into a hug. She stroked Demetria’s back, while Kerry stood to the side and watched.

“I can feel your guilt,” she said, sitting Demetria down beside her. “Allaire—Alpha Davers—wouldn’t have backed down from this fight for anything. He loved Kerry, and thought of him as a son. This isn’t your fault. You didn’t ask for this fight, this fight came to you, and as a pack member’s mate, you are part of the pack.” She stroked Demetria’s wet cheek. “We will always protect you. We’re sad, but not mad. So please let your soul rest. I can see the torment on your face. Plus, you and Cynthia have a lot to handle today. That Sabrina girl is still trapped inside a bird, and we all know that’s probably a fate worse than purgatory.”

Demetria closed her eyes, and two tears escaped down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry this happened,” she whispered.

Grace rested her forehead against hers. “I know, sweet girl. But we will all heal. And I want you to heal right, not hold onto guilt. We’re a strong pack, and even stronger with you here. We have an awesome Beta, and a soon-to-be Alpha. I’m planning his coronation for next week. Claire is also being announced as Luna. It’ll be a break for me. I’ve always wanted to travel … now I can.”

Demetria nodded. “We’ll be there.”

Grace smiled. “Kerry, why don’t you two go eat, and see if Cynthia is ready to help that little Sabrina out of that bird? I had a nightmare about it last night. She deserves to move on.”

Kerry gave Grace a knowing smile, and ushered Demetria out of the room. He felt her shaking, but he sensed her grief lessened after speaking with Grace.

They didn’t have to go far to find Cynthia. She was in the kitchen with Dan, making both of their plates. Cynthia put them down and walked around to hug Demetria. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she answered. “After we eat, I say we let Sabrina go free?”

Cynthia pulled back and fished the pendant out of her pocket. “I’ve been busy this morning. Broke the spell, and now I’m ready when you are, love.”

“How did it go with Dom and Ivory?” Kerry asked.

Cynthia frowned. “I don’t enjoy sending someone to a fate such as Hell, but the things Ivory said to me, I didn’t feel as bad about it.”

“I understand,” Demetria said. “She has a mouth on her. What about Dom?”

Cynthia leaned against the counter. “He was grateful, but I think you made the right decision. He didn’t seem as evil as the others. He seemed thankful he wasn’t going to be stuck with them any longer.”

Demetria smiled. “He did try to kill me, but I didn’t hold it against him. He was their puppet.”

Kerry nudged Demetria’s back. “You need to eat, D.”

“I do. I think I may need my energy for this. Have you ever freed a spirit from a bird?” she asked Cynthia over her shoulder.

Kerry laughed at Cynthia’s face. “I can honestly say this is a first.”