that is coming is mine, and I will not let the enemy make a mockery of my wolves, my creation. As the Great Creator has loved his human children, so I have loved my wolves. As the Great Creator has won the victory over evil for his children, so I will win the victory for my children.”
“I’m sorry.” Tears streamed down Bethany’s face. “I’m sorry they had to die.” The Romania pack had to be devastated.
“Everyone dies. The life you have now is temporary. This is not your home, Bethany. Your home is with me in the next life where there will be no bloody battles. The enemy will not be able to steal every good thing from you. Vasile and Alina are in their eternal home.”
Bethany knew the words were meant as comfort, but there was little to be found in that moment because she knew the pain their loss would leave behind for those still living. It sucked to be the ones left grieving.
“Why does death have to be so awful?” Bethany asked as her gut twisted with grief. “Not for the one who died, but for those of us left behind to remember them? The pain of it is worse than any physical pain. It’s as if a part of your soul has been torn out.” Bethany had lost her family when she’d been torn away from them by the vampires. She rarely let herself dwell on the pain of that loss, but while she had the audience of the Great Luna, she was going to ask.
“The pain you feel when you lose someone is also a good thing. It is a testimony to the fact that you have the capacity to love that deeply. Don’t be quick to dismiss pain as something to be feared or avoided. Death is inevitable. It’s not a choice. Living is. You get to choose how you live your life so that when it is time for you to take your final breath, you can leave this world knowing you have left a legacy worthy of others carrying forward.”
“Like Vasile and Alina did?”
“Exactly,” the goddess said.
Bethany felt a hand on her head, and the warmth returned.
“It is time for you to wake up, Bethany, daughter of mine. You need to be with your mate, and you need to tell Perizada that I have seen, heard, and felt the pain of my children. This is only the beginning of what must take place.”
Bethany’s eyes snapped open, and her head swung from side to side. There were no more trees or bloody grass. She was lying on a bed, and Rachel was looking down at her with a warm smile and tears in her eyes.
“She’s awake,” the healer called out.
“Peri,” Bethany said quickly, the Great Luna’s words ringing in her ears. “I need to see Peri.” Bethany pushed herself up, hoping to find Drake. She could feel that he was close by. She gasped when she felt herself being lifted until her back was against the headboard.
“You’ve just been through a major trauma.” Peri’s voice came from across the room, but she was walking straight toward Bethany. “Perhaps it would be better to be still and not jostle anything loose.”
“Our baby is fine,” Bethany said, understanding that was what the high fae meant.
Peri reached her bed and then sighed. “Let me guess, a certain goddess told you that?”
Bethany frowned. “How’d you know?”
“Because people only know stuff they shouldn’t when they’ve been paid a visit by said goddess.” Peri pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. When she looked up again, Bethany saw the weariness that she’d missed when Peri hadn’t been standing right next to her. Now, up close, she could see the dark circles under the high fae’s eyes and the red left over after tears had filled them. Bethany saw the heavy weight of what was to come and what had already happened sitting heavily on the woman’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” Bethany said quietly. “For Alina and Vasile.”
Peri’s shoulders tightened, and she clenched her jaw. “Thank you. It’s your loss, too.”
“I didn’t know them like you did, though. They took me in, made me a part of their pack, and for that, I will forever be grateful. I know they will be missed.”
“More than any words can express,” Peri agreed, her voice soft as her eyes glistened. “Now, why is it that the moment you woke up from your mate’s injury you called for me and not for him?”