Even his wolf held deep affection for the older male. “Are you alright? Your mate?” Fane asked.
Again, it was not what Peri had been expecting. Fane reached out, lifted Sorin’s head, and turned it from side to side. Any bruising or cuts had now healed, as the Canis lupus recovered quite quickly as long as the wounds weren’t bad.
“I am relatively unscathed, as is my female.” Sorin’s voice was tight, and Peri could tell he was holding back his emotions. “Fane, I’m…” Sorin stopped as his shoulders began to shake.
Fane pulled his long-time protector to him and hugged him, pressing his hand to the back of Sorin’s head so that his forehead pressed to Fane’s shoulder. Fane then spoke in the language of his people. “The pain is great. But the time to mourn has not yet come.” The strength in his voice was that of his father’s. Fane had not crumbled under the weight of his parents' deaths.
Peri glanced over at Decebel. The beta, if that’s what he still was, looked at Fane with pride shining in his amber eyes. He must have felt Peri’s gaze because he shifted his eyes to hers. He gave her a nod that made it clear he felt Fane was ready. This was not the boy from a year ago, or even six months ago. This was the man who’d grown into the alpha his parents had been raising from the day of his birth. This was the man who’d held fast in the face of adversaries. He’d confronted loss, turmoil, grief, and brokenness. But with the help of his parents, his pack, and his mate, he’d endured, and the result of all those trials was standing before them now—strong, powerful, determined, and ready to lead.
When Fane released Sorin, he walked over to his uncle and embraced him as well. Lucian didn’t hesitate. They were about the same height and build, though Lucian’s blond hair was a stark contrast to Fane’s black locks. They gave manly back pats, and then Fane moved on to Adam and then Crina, who openly cried. Fane grasped both of the she-wolf’s shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes. She held his gaze for a few seconds but then dropped hers.
“Be strong, Crina. You’ve been mentored by the strongest she-wolf we’ve ever known. They prepared us for this, though we never thought the day would come when we’d face the evil of the world without them. We can and will do this.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Crina wiped away her tears. She lifted her chin and stood a little taller, and Peri watched as her pain morphed into the same determination Fane exhibited. He was standing taller, his shoulders were pulled back and his piercing blue eyes were fierce. Peri could practically see him settling into the mantle that had been placed on him.
Next, Fane hugged Wadim and then looked at Zara. “I am thankful that you have joined our pack. I hope I can be half the alpha my father and mother were to you even in your brief time under their care.”
Zara smiled, though her eyes stayed down. “I have a feeling you’re going to do just fine.”
Fane looked at Chris and Cindy Morgan. “I am sorry we haven’t done a better job of protecting your daughter and grandson. They’re in the Order’s hands—Sally for the second time—and as her alpha, I make the promise that we will not let this happen again.”
Cindy walked over to Fane and wrapped him in her arms much like a mother would her own son. “You have nothing to apologize for,” she said gently. “I realize you are an alpha now. I know the responsibility you have on your shoulders, but for just a moment, be a son again. I’m not your mom, but I am a mom and my heart breaks for you.” Her voice was very soft, but the room was full of supernaturals who had amazing hearing. Everyone bowed their heads, even those who hadn’t had to do so under Fane’s power, out of respect, giving them what little privacy they could.
Fane hugged Cindy back and dropped his face to her shoulder. For a few heartbeats, he was once again a twenty-year-old young man who had lost his mother. His shoulders shook a bit, and Cindy patted his back and said something else, but this time it was so soft that Peri didn’t catch it. After several minutes, Fane released Cindy and then pressed a chaste kiss to the