Everyone around Ebony went into action, either packing or cleaning the evidence of the fighting that happened there. Her mother knelt beside her and took her hand in hers. “Stay with Peter. If he breathes, there’s hope and you’re the best chance he has, love. Franco is fine right now. It’s just too much for him to process. You can relax, no worries. Your dad and I have it covered, and Benedict will be back shortly. When that happens, we’ll leave here.” When in need, her mother excelled at convincing others to follow her desires. She was a force that brought goodness. Because Ebony would feel nothing but terror if her mother was a force for evil. “Okay. I’ll keep it in mind.” Ebony sniffed and used the back of a dirty shirt sleeve to brush the trails of tears on her face before she wiped her tears from Peter, too. Her mother nodded with a comforting smile and pat before she stood to help others get things dealt with as quickly as they could.

Benedict watched as they prepared to use a mage portal. He’d said nothing to Ebony about how badly Franco was taking Peter’s medical state, or what her mother feared had happened. It was hard enough for him to deal with the news himself. Her mother told him she feared Peter’s body may live, but his soul was another story. That it may have gone too far toward death to come back. If that were the case, then all they could do was stand by and wait for his body to die. She’d tried to explain to Benedict that the Wight basically killed and reanimated his minions, but those they’d destroyed were only the bodies of the Wight’s victims. Their souls were long gone. She feared Peter was too far toward becoming a minion to bring back. Benedict couldn’t tell Ebony or Franco about that. When he tried to illicit help with explaining it to Ebony. Franco stopped him before he could broach the subject. He’d found Franco in crisis. Franco couldn’t accept Pet

Ebony didn’t know what she’d do with Franco. What did Franco want? She couldn’t get help from Benedict because Ran pulled him away. Peter was alone somewhere in bed. He couldn’t come to find them. No, the healer said; he wasn’t with them anymore. He’d gone on as if he’d died. Gone on to the next part of his existence, without them. His body lived for now. How long would that last? His soul couldn’t return to his body or them. It wasn’t fair. He’d done nothing to call for such an end. She couldn’t bear the thought he’d suffered. She’d been unaware of it happening right there behind her. Ebony couldn’t apologize to him for the last things she’d said. The whole thing stuck in her craw. She couldn’t make amends to Peter. There’s no way she could explain to him how much she cared for him. She wanted him in her life. Just like Franco and Benedict. How she would miss him. She could not say goodbye to Peter. She’d never get to hold him again. He just wouldn’t be

Benedict finally found Ebony, but not before she’d gone to visit Peter. He’d not spoken to her and with Franco in the room, he couldn’t pull her aside and explain himself. What Magnus didn’t understand when Franco had spoken to Benedict before Ivory spoke to him with Magnus present. Franco had argued with Benedict because he’d assumed Benedict would abandon Ebony with him. That’s where Benedict suspected, upon reflection, that Ivory received her belief that Benedict would leave Ebony in favor of Franco. But that wasn’t the case at all. Franco misinterpreted Benedict’s silence and upset about their argument. When Benedict left Franco’s side to go to Ebony’s, he’d told him he didn’t think he was ready to decide something like that. Peter had died almost an hour before this, and Benedict felt numb to it right now as he watched Franco and Ebony fall apart. Franco’s anger at Benedict now was too much, and he wouldn’t accept Benedict’s comfort. When Benedict tr

They completed the plans to send Peter away quickly. It all felt too soon for Ebony, but it must be done. Franco attended the services, but mostly kept to himself. Benedict struggled with the idea that a pack could summon him at any moment. It wasn’t the easiest situation as Con, Magnus, and Ran all pushed Benedict to talk to them about his life. Ebony wondered if part of Franco’s problem wasn’t his questions about his mating instincts, but his feelings about being left behind and Benedict receiving all the attention. She might be the one receiving Franco’s frustration and anger. Goddess, she didn’t want to lose anyone else. She’d only just found them, and she was sending one off to the next stage of his existence. Wolves gathered, pyre laid by lake, awaiting lighting and floating. Only a few spoke words. Only Ebony, Benedict, and Franco knew Peter. But for his effort and losing his life, Ebony’s father honored him as a warri