My heart sank. "Did you say Mr. Greyback?" I asked Sean.

"Yes, Luna, I did. You both should come quickly," he replied. I looked at Liam, worried. What could be wrong? I disliked his isolated shack, but he insisted on staying there.

"Come on," Liam said, pulling me along. Sean nodded and followed us out the door.

"Shifting and running will be fastest, Alpha," Sean said. Liam looked at me; I quickly turned, allowing them to strip and shift. Feeling a wet nose at my elbow, I grabbed Liam's clothes before climbing onto his back. He rose to his full height, and they sprinted toward the old man's house.

The closer we got, the more anxious I became. What could be wrong?

"Little Luna, please calm down," Liam said telepathically. "I'm right here with you."

I tried to calm myself as Liam ran. I wasn't sure when I last spoke to the old man. I'd been so preoccupied with helping Liam with the summit, caring for the children, and trying to awaken Damien that I'd completely forgotten about him.

As we approached his cabin, more wolves gathered, and Liam slowed. He sat down to let me off his back. I impatiently waited for him to shift back and dress, as did Sean.

Once dressed, Liam approached. "Are you ready?" he asked. Everyone around us avoided eye contact, and I was terrified. I nodded, and Liam offered me his arm as we approached the door.

"I'm really sorry, Luna," Sean said. "With everything going on, we weren't checking on him as frequently"

Liam and I entered the room. A white cloth covered something on the floor. I gasped. "Is that?" I couldn't finish. Sean slowly removed the cloth. Mr. Greyback's face showed discomfort, but he was still.

"We found him like this" Sean explained. Liam tensed beside me.

"Oh, Goddess," I cried. He couldn't be dead.

"I'm sorry, Alpha, but this doesn't look natural. We think he may have been attacked," Sean said. I closed my eyes and buried my face in Liam's chest. Liam wrapped his arms around me tightly.

"Do we know when?" Liam asked calmly.

"Maybe two days ago," Sean replied.

"Any ideas on the culprit?" Liam asked. The conversation ended there; I assumed they continued silently. Movement around us suggested they were removing his body.

Liam rubbed my head, letting me cry. "I'm sorry, Little Luna," he whispered.

"I shouldn't have let him stay out here alone," I sobbed.

"We both know he wouldn't have had it any other way," Liam reassured me.

"He's gone," I cried. Liam consoled me. Finally, I pulled away. "I have to tell Lemon and Amy."

"Not tonight," Liam said. "We can call them in the morning." I nodded, feeling numb. "Come on, let's get you home." I followed him to the car.

Someone drove us back to the packhouse. I leaned against my mate. It felt like losing a parent, a stubborn, grumpy grandparent. And he'd been dead for who knows how long? I should have insisted he move to the packhouse.

Back at the packhouse, I felt on autopilot. Liam led me inside, upstairs, and into our room. I sat on the couch, barely registering anything. A blanket fell around my shoulders; Liam stood beside me with a mug. He sat beside me.

"Do you want me to handle the arrangements?" he asked softly. I shook my head.

"I'll take care of it," I whispered.

"This isn't your fault, sweetheart. You know he wanted to be alone," he said, handing me the mug. It was warm, smelling of green tea.

"I just can't believe he's gone," I admitted.

"I know," Liam said softly, putting an arm around me.

I arranged the funeral quickly. Two days later, I wore a black dress and met Lemon and Amy at the inn. Liam hovered, constantly checking on me. His presence was comforting, but it didn't erase my guilt and sadness.

Since Mr. Greyback had no remaining family, we were it. I knew he wouldn't have wanted a large ceremony. Liam drove us to town, holding my hand. Amy was already at the inn.

"Oh, Lea," she said, hugging me. "How are you doing?"

"Fine," I said. "You?"

"I'll miss his grouchy grumbling. Feels like it wasn't that long ago I returned from maternity leave to that old fool telling me he'd hired help," she laughed.

"You both needed it," I smiled. Lemon joined us. I hugged her too.

"Shall we?" Lemon asked. We went to the car where Liam waited. A few people who knew Mr. Greyback attended the small, tasteful service. I remained composed until my turn to speak.

"Mr. Greyback wasn't the most agreeable man," I began. "But what he lacked in civility, he made up for with his enormous heart. Almost a decade ago, he took in a homeless orphan girl with nothing. He gave her a job, a home, and a new family. That was the man he was." Tears fell as I spoke.

Afterward, Liam and I returned to the packhouse. Burying him was hard, but I knew he wouldn't live forever. We changed and went downstairs to the backyard where the children played. Lacey brought Azly to me. I sat in the grass, holding my baby, while Liam played with the boys.

Azly dozed while Liam played catch. Felix watched. Azeron found me. "Luna," he said, sitting beside me. "Sean wondered if you'd like him to send wolves to handle Mr. Greyback's belongings?"

"Oh," I said, forgetting. "Um, no. I'm sure I can handle it. Maybe I'll go there later."

Azeron smiled. "Sure," he said. "I'd be happy to accompany you."

"Aren't you supposed to be with your mate?" I asked.

"I'm sure he'd understand," he assured me.

"Please, spend time with your mate. I'll be alright," I said. Azeron looked at Felix, nodded, and left. I sighed and looked at Azly.

"He never got to meet you," I whispered. Mr. Greyback would have grumbled about another Blackfur pup, but he would have secretly loved Azly.

"Would you like me to go with you?" Liam asked, joining us. Our eyes met.

"That would be nice, thank you," I replied.

"Anything for you, Little Luna," he said.

When the boys tired, Mrs. Hale agreed to watch them with Delilah and Lucas, allowing us to go to the cabin. I knew there wasn't much, but it would still take time to pack.

Stepping inside felt strange, like trespassing. It looked the same, except for dirty dishes. Mr. Greyback was usually tidy, but he lived alone. I stood there, unsure where to begin.

"Why don't I do the kitchen, and you can do the bedroom?" Liam suggested, ducking slightly. He'd complained about the low ceilings, but Mr. Greyback was about my height, hunched from his cane.

"Sure," I said. Liam grabbed a box and went to the kitchen. I went to the bedroom. The bed was unmade. A book lay on the nightstand; the lamp was on. I turned it off and opened the curtains; dust motes danced in the air. I opened the window; he clearly hadn't had enough fresh air.

Once the room aired out, I went to the closet. I pulled down three boxes; two looked untouched. I noticed he'd hung no photos.

I opened a dusty box. Inside were photos of the old man with an older woman. She smiled brightly; he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. There were holiday photos and paperwork related to the inn's purchase.

The next box held older photos of a young Greyback. There were broken trophies with illegible engravings, photos of what I assumed were school friends or warrior comrades, more papers, and a framed diploma. I knew Greyback had been a warrior, but not much else. I wished I'd asked him more.

The last box seemed recently opened. I carefully lifted the lid. The top layer held photos. The first showed a middle-aged Greyback holding a small girl, about 7 or 8, who resembled him. His hair was almost shoulder-length and wavy. The photo was black and white, but the girl's hair matched his. A woman stood beside him, smiling at Greyback and the girl. Was this his mate? She looked different from the woman in the other photos. The next photo showed the same girl in a sparkly dress by a Christmas tree. There was one of Greyback holding a baby, and one of the woman with a pregnant belly. Then, a photo of Greyback and me at Liam's and my wedding. Someone had taken it as he walked me down the aisle. He looked so proud. The last photo was Greyback and the woman at their wedding; he was dipping her, kissing her deeply. It was beautiful.

Tears stung my eyes. I knew his mate had died years ago, but now I wondered if there was more to the story. He clearly looked at these things regularly; this box was the only one not covered in dust. Was he lonely? Under the photos were a marriage certificate, a birth certificate for Ava Greyback, and two death certificates—one for his daughter and one for his mate.

"Little Luna," Liam said softly from the doorway. I turned, wiping my tears. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

I nodded, trying to control my tears. Liam stood behind me. He picked up the wedding photo. "I think I was his only family," I whispered.

Liam kissed my head. "He wasn't good at showing it, but he loved you a lot. I always felt you arrived at the inn just when he needed you."

"He and Amy were my family for a long time," I said. "You don't think he felt abandoned?"

"No," Liam said, hugging me. "I think he was happy to know you and that you found your own family."