Fang moved to stand behind Aimee at the same time Papa reached Maman's side. His eyes were filled with tears as he sank to his knees.
"Nicolette?"
Tears flowed from Maman's eyes as she reached for her mate. "My precious Aubert. Je t'aime pour toujours."
Her father's hands shook as he gathered Maman into his arms and held her close. "Moi aussi, ma petite."
Maman reached out and took Fang's hand, then pressed it against Aimee's. "Forgive me," she breathed. "May the gods grant you both the happiness Aubert and I have shared, and may you have children as precious as ours." Her lips trembling, she looked out at all the boys who were gathered there. "I love you, mes enfants. Take care of each other for me."
Then she turned into a bear. Papa sobbed into her fur as he held her even closer. His Sentinel marks appeared on his face. "Do us proud, children."
Maman shuddered as her last breath left her. Papa smiled sadly, then laid his head down and joined her in death.
Aimee let out a wail of pain as Fang pulled her against him.
Fang didn't know what to do for her as he rocked Aimee in his arms. She sobbed like a brokenhearted child. Parts of the bar were still burning, but Wren, Acheron, and Max appeared to have most of it under control.
Thorn, Varyk, Wynter, Zeke, and the Charonte had the demons on the run.
Remi let out a feral sound of pain an instant before he turned into a bear. He launched himself at Eli's body, tearing it to shreds. Fang grimaced, grateful that Aimee wasn't able to see the viciousness of his actions.
Not that she didn't know Remi's darker side or probably wouldn't have done it herself had she been more aware. He buried his lips against her hair and rocked her while she let out all her pain. He hated that he couldn't take this from her.
But there was nothing to do except comfort her.
And as everyone realized what had happened and that Eli lay dead, the fighting ceased.
Stone let out his own cry of pain as he saw his father slaughtered on the floor. He fell to his knees sobbing as the rest of their pack stared in disbelief.
"I'll get you, bastards!" Stone shrieked. "I swear it! I'll kill you all!"
Dev shook his head. "There's been enough killing, Stone. Go home for the sake of the gods."
Stone launched himself at Dev.
The Dark-Huntress Janice caught him and shoved him into the arms of the werewolves behind him. "Boy, you better learn to listen. It's over. Take your punks and go home while you're still on this side of the grave. This is a onetime offer and it's about to expire. Go."
He went, but the promise in his eyes was potent.
He would be back.
The werewolves and demons retreated. Constantine and Varyk passed a look of mutual hatred between them before Varyk, Thorn, and his crew followed after the others to make sure they didn't double back.
Fang swept his gaze around the bar that had been all but destroyed. Tables and chairs along with railings and trim had been splintered. The entire area was charred. Broken glass and weapons littered the floor and were covered in blood.
He'd never seen anything like this.
And as his gaze went to the sign by the door, he felt his heart lurch.
Come in peace or leave in pieces.
The only question was, could they ever pick up the pieces that had been left here tonight?
Dev came forward to pull Aimee away from Fang so that he could hold on to her. Fang started to protest, but realized she needed her family as much as she needed him. While he ached for her, Dev truly felt the pain of the loss. Knowing that pain all too well himself, he released her to her brother.
Dev cradled her head against his shoulder. "It'll be all right, Aim. We're here."
Aimee heard those words, but they did nothing to ease the ache inside her. All she'd wanted to do was to share her mating with her mother. . . .