My entire world shattered as my vision flickered black again. But I heard some wolves call out, and I knew I had to hold the shield for as long as I could, even if my father was gone…

The words caught in my throat. I couldn’t think about it. Hold the shield. Protect the pack as long as I could. Those words became a mantra, even as I felt my wolves start to fade, even as Loki disappeared. I wanted to stop, to save him, but I was duty bound to hold the cave for everyone else.

I felt tears coursing down my face as my heart splintered. My mind flickered to my mom, and I heard a sob break free from my lips. She had just gotten her mate back, and now he was gone. I felt my power sag again, and someone cried out as a rock snuck past the shield, hitting the ground near them. I wish I could look to see if they were pulling people free, but my world was still dark.

Darkness had long taken over the clearing in my mind. I was down to the tiny flickering flame of my magic. Everything else was gone. I pushed the last bit I had to my magic, causing the flame to flare a little. I had hoped to see my wolves still curled around the pot, but there was nothing. My wolves had faded completely. Erubus and Loki were gone too. Even the flowerpot was gone. I felt my consciousness fade, and I knew I was dying as well. Hold the shield. Give them as much time as they could to free the ones trapped. I collapsed against the ground, hand outstretched to the flame, and I said my goodbyes.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you, Daddy.” My words were a shuddered whisper as the last of my magic faded. Arms wrapped around my waist, comforting me, but the power draining from my fingertips surged with the connection. The flame that was flickering steadied.

“I have you.” Rowan’s words whispered against my ear and I wanted to fight.

“No.” I tried to push against him. “I can’t kill you too.” I tried to pull away, but he was too strong, and I was exhausted.

“We have you, ladybug.” Ronnie’s voice called to me from within the abyss, and my magic surged. “Silvermoon!” His voice rang out, and my mind exploded with voices.

“We are here for you, Amy!”

“We are so close!”

“We can do this!”

“You saved me, Amy…now we can save you too.” A tiny voice called out, and a tiny hand wrapped around my hand, pulling me from the darkness. My eyes blinked open, and I was staring into Ry’s eyes. His bright grey eyes focused on my face. My mind bounced to the last day I saw him.

“You’ve gotten big.” It was the only thought I had.

May ran through the crowd and skidded next to her brother. “You saved my daddy. We can help save yours too.” Her sweet voice called to me as she wrapped her arms around my waist, and the darkness in my mind started to fade.

More and more wolves came over, hands touching me, touching Rowan, sharing their strength, sharing their power and I sobbed. Our power surged, the splintering shield solidified and reformed, pushing back the rocks in the ceiling as a few wolves stayed separate to run in for the wolves still under rocks.

With the shield solid again, rocks started flying back out of the cave, everyone faster than the last. I couldn’t look, dread still pooling in my chest whenever another body was dragged out. I kept my eyes on Ry’s. He never looked away.

His tiny face was so fierce as he stared up at me. “It’s okay to be afraid.” His voice was older than it should have been. “My dad told me that fear is just your body warning you. You can be afraid and still be brave enough to do what you have to do.” His lip quivered. “You are the bravest person I know, Amy. You saved everyone and still made sure we were safe when you were hurt. You are strong too. My mom told me that I get my strength from my dad, so that has to be where you get yours too. If you are this strong, then Alpha Gavin has to be crazy strong.” I couldn’t speak, but I felt a tear fall as I nodded. Ry smiled. “Don’t cry. You’re my hero, and if your dad is stronger than you, then there is no way that the goddess would take him yet, right?” The little boy whom I had saved was staring up at me expectantly. “Right?”

I felt another tear fall. “Right.” My answer was soft as I felt a few people run through the cave.

I heard a call go out. “Hey!” There was someone stumbling in the dark. “I have someone!”