The Alpha's Broken Mate (Cathy)

RINE'

clung to me like a second skin, heavy and suffocating. It felt

er experien

at your soul until you feel like you might

numb, unsure of how to react. The shock was paralyzing, and in the days since, sleep had become a str

ime I closed my eyes, her face filled my mind. I could see her smile, hear her laughter. The way she used to hum softly whil

she wa

o feel her arms around me, to be told that everything would be alright. Tears filled my eyes, spilling over, hot and

ping it-my mother was gone, and no amount of longing or wishing would change that. I knew it. She wouldn't be coming back.

nd I slipped into a restless sleep. Even as I fell aslee

-

the wife of the head pack warrior, my mother's body couldn't be left unattended f

f my family. The sight of the casket confirmed that this w

priest's voice droned on, speaking of the Moon Goddess's will and the mysterious ways

er for the gift of a new day. Let the dead bury the dead, and let the living fo

tween the priest's words. My hands trembled as I stood at the edge of the grave, k

as the casket was slowly lowered int

odbye," the pri

zed my shoulder. "You're stron

managed to say,

ward. My heart clenched painfully as I released it into the grave.

She and my mother had been inseparabl. I coul

priest asked. "Where is th

My father. Where was he? I scanned

ome down," May said softly. "He lov

dded, his eye

stood there, numb, watching as her final resting place was covered. A soft sigh escaped me

a new chapter. Like the priest said, everything happens for a rea

all feeling of comfort

deep breath. "Tha

hrough mine. "Come o

as filled with sadness. For the next hour, I moved mechanically, serving food and rece

ment to breathe. That's when I overheard my

other's friend aske

prising. She'd been devastated when my mom died. She even fainte

said. "We've been lo

. My

king towards them "Is

before leaning closer. "I need you to find your father, Catherine. Make su

ht," I

asn't too devastated. I had to find him, to co

dor, searching for my father. My

e wa