Amias hears the door swinging open without warning. No knock, pause, or respect.
Of course. Only one person in the entire mansion enters rooms like that. The Alpha. His father.
Amias stiffens where he kneels, Clarissa's cold fingers still weakly cradled inside his own shaking hands. Vark snarls inside him, teeth bared, hackles raised.
"Ugh, we don't need that now. Not him. Not when she's like this."
But the Alpha doesn't see his dying wife first. He sees Rayne.
"Rayne, my love," he exhales, sweeping her into his arms like the air might carry her away if he doesn't anchor her fast enough.
Rayne gasps, startled, but melts into the embrace. The Alpha cups her jaw, lifts her chin, and kisses her deeply. Right there. Right beside Clarissa's bed.
Right while Clarissa still breathes, barely, gasping for what little life remains.
