Once the pair disappeared around the cabin, Rowan handed me my shovel, but I held up a finger. I moved over to Ternen. “Hey, friend.” I wiped his hair out of his face. “I know you are worried about her.”

Rowan came up behind me. I could feel his strength trying to seep into me, but I pushed it away. I didn’t deserve the peace he was offering. “You probably don’t believe me when I say I’ll watch over her. I was supposed to watch over you, too, and now look at us.” My voice caught. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

“Amy.” Rowan reached for me, but I shook my head. “This isn’t your fault.”

I couldn’t stop the chuckle that left my lips, but it quickly turned into a sob. I slapped a hand over my mouth, trying to push it all away. I didn’t have time to break down. “It is.” I looked back down at Ternen and cupped his cold cheek. “He was alive and warm less than an hour ago. I should have been faster.” I shook my head again. “He’s dead because of me.”

Rowan dropped next to me. “He’s dead because Garith sent men here knowing it was important to you. Ternen gave his life to protect his mate and his twins. You don’t get to take that away from him because you are feeling guilty.” Rowan’s eyes held mine.

“I’m not.” I shook my head and tried to argue.

“You are. You are taking his loss on when he fought tooth and nail for his family.” Rowan leaned in and kissed my forehead. “He was an omega who fought off rogues. Do you know how rare that is?”

I nodded. “Of course I do.”

Rowan looked down at Ternen. “I don’t think you do. Omegas usually cower, and I don’t say that as an insult. Their wolves are just too weak. Normally, they run away and hide if they can.”

“And if they can’t?” My words were soft, but I already knew the answer.

“They accept their fate and let themselves return to the Moon Goddess. But Ternen, he ran towards the danger. He fought and killed ranked wolves to save his mate and their pups. He knew he didn’t have a chance…”

“Then why did he do it?” I wanted to scream.

“You know why.” Rowan looked at me. “You saw exactly what I saw.” I closed my eyes, and shook my head.

“No.” I didn’t want to think about it.

“Yes.” Rowan’s fingers slid into mine. “Alannah was being pulled to the woods, and Ternen was running after them.” Rowan’s words were soft.

I just kept shaking my head. “No.” The ache in my chest tightened, but no matter what I said, I knew he was going to finish what he was saying.

“You were fighting to reach the edge of the circle, and right before Ternen ran into the trees, he looked back and saw you were coming. He knew you weren’t close enough.” Rowan tightened his hands as I tried to pull away.

“You’re wrong.”

“Oh, baby, I wish I were.” He pulled me to his chest. “But you and I both know he saw you would not make it. We both watched his face. He made a choice: his life for theirs, his life to give you enough time to reach Alannah, to save her.”

“No.” I felt the word ripped from my chest. The dam broke, and I felt hot tears hit my cheeks.

My mate kissed me and then pulled away. “He made the decision that his life was worth hers, and he wasn’t wrong.” I reeled back as if I had been slapped.

“How could you say that?”

He lifted a hand to cup my face. “Because I would make the same decision in the blink of an eye. Your life is worth more than mine, ten times over. I would sacrifice myself for you, for our pups…” His sad smile broke a sliver off my heart. I just shook my head.

“You’re wrong. You’re the king.” I tried to pull out of his arms.

But he just kissed my lips. “You are the queen, my life, my heart, and the only thing that has kept me going these last few years. I would die for you. And Ternen did that for his mate, for their pups. Don’t diminish his sacrifice just because you feel guilty.” I stared up at Rowan, and I felt the truth in his words.

I knew I was dead as soon as I started running after Alannah. I just had to fight long enough to make sure you could get there to save her. Ternen’s sweet voice whispered in my ear.

“You did it,” I whispered back as I turned back to my friend. I grabbed him in my arms. “You saved them.” I kissed his forehead and leaned him against the tree. “Now it’s time to rest.”