Chapter 276

I watched his eyes widen. “Did you just command me?”

I got into his face, our whiskers bending against each other’s face. “You don’t get to give up in a fight. Not now, not ever, and if that takes me commanding you to do so, then so be it.” I growled, but then a soft cough had me whirling around.

“Amy.” Carl’s soft gasp had me sprinting to his side. I shifted, my graduation gown a stark contrast to the bloody field.

“Carl.” I grabbed him around his waist and tried to pull him to his feet, but the scream he let out stopped me. “Come on. You’re fine.” I tried to convince myself. I dropped next to him, cupping his face. “Get up.”

“Amy.” His eyes filled.

“No, none of that.” I leaned in. “It’s too soon. She isn’t ready to live without you.”

“She’s been trained.”

I shook my head. “No. Carl, I’m telling you, it’s too soon.”

He gave a sad smile. “It’s always going to be too soon.” I felt my lips tremble.

“Please,” I begged. I knew this was going to shatter his little girl.

He shook his head and his eyes turned hazy. “I wrote you a letter. It’s in the room I built for you.”

“Carl, please.” I tightened my hands on his face. I pleaded again as everyone made their way closer. “She’s just a little girl.”

“She’s our little girl.” He sighed as we heard the door open. “You promise me you will take good care of our girl.”

I felt the tears fall. “I’m not ready.”

“No one is ever ready to become a parent, Amy. Not one person.” He coughed and a little blood came out. “You think you are. You had months to prepare. But as soon as your pup is placed into your arms, and you feel that love, that pain, that unfiltered terror about how you are supposed to raise this tiny bundle in your arms, you never know just how unprepared you are until that moment.” He closed his eyes as her tiny little feet flew towards us. “Keep her safe for me, will ya?” His voice wavered, and I heard his worry break through. “Make sure she knows her roots.”

I leaned in and touched my forehead to his. “I swear on the goddess that I will raise your daughter as my own. I will love her as my own. And I will raise her to know where she comes from. I promise she won’t forget you, Carl.” My tears trailed down my face, and I kissed him right before this tiny bundle flung herself at us.

As soon as Carly wrapped her arms around our necks, the world came to a stop. A tiny moment frozen in time. Both Carl and I pulled away, and Carly’s eyes were white. “The goddess hears your vow, three-spirited one, and accepts. Soon, you will have to step into your role as protector. Not only for this child, but for the world. Are you and your pack ready? Is your mate?”

The voice I knew; I was speaking to the goddess and not Carly. “I have no mate.”

Carly looked over her shoulder, turning to gaze at everyone collected. “Not everything is as it seems, moon-blessed.” She turned back to me and smiled. “You have come so far from when we last walked side by side.” She cupped my cheek with her tiny hand. “Things are only going to get harder. Be prepared. Listen to your magic. Use your pack you made here to help with the girl. But remember, she is yours. And she will need you more than you think.” She closed her eyes, and then her chocolate brown eyes were back and full of tears.

“Carly?” I whispered.

“You came.” I just nodded. She hugged me, but then she was out of my arms and into Carl's. “Daddy, you need to get up and come into the house so I can fix you.” She tried to pull away, but Carl clutched her to his chest. “I already got the bandages, like you told me.”

I sat back on my heels and I watched as Carl silently broke. His tears fell down his face and trailed into his beard. But Carly never saw a thing. I was trying to be hopeful. He could heal from this. I pulled my magic to me and I reached out a hand, but Carl caught it. I met his eyes, and he slowly shook his head.

He was telling me not to waste my magic. He flicked his gaze to everyone, but I didn’t care. “I trust them.” I looked over my shoulder at my friends, but then my eyes fell on Erubus. “Well, most of them.” I saw my words hit, and he flinched a little, but I didn’t care. I didn’t actually know who he was. “I feel like I should apologize, but I don’t know you.”