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During our visits, we stop at the hospital to speak with Justin. Rylan approaches him. “Justin, I wanted to ask how you'd like your father honored at the funeral.”
Justin looks at him. “He was taken. He's not dead.”
Rylan's expression changes. “I felt his pack bond break.”
Justin shakes his head. “I'm his pup. There’s a bond… I can’t explain, it. I can… just tell…” He looks at Jasmin, “Plus, mom’s waiting for him… He's a fighter… My wolf agrees with me… He’s still alive.” Rylan looks at him for a moment.
“We will find him, no matter what, we will find him.”
Justin nods.
“We will find him,” Rylan says it almost like a promise to himself.
*****
The funeral is held three days later. Seven coffins stand before Silver Moon. The families of the fallen gather near the front. Justin, Jace, and Jocelyn stand together, representing their family while Joshua remains missing and Jasmin remains in the hospital.
Damian holds Jace's hand. Darlene holds Jocelyn's.
Arlene stands beside Darian, one hand resting over her stomach. He has healed enough to attend, though I can still see the exhaustion in his face. Three of the surviving warriors remain hospitalized.
Paige stands nearby with Milo and Piper. Rylan invites the families of the fallen to stand beside him before he begins. He waits until they are ready.
“Today, we honor seven brave warriors of Silver Moon. They left our pack to protect our people, and when danger came, they stood between our families and those who meant them harm. Because of their courage, every pack member they were entrusted to protect came home.
“They gave their lives in service to Silver Moon, and we will never forget their sacrifice. They are honored members of this pack, and their families will always be honored among us. We will stand beside them, care for them, and make sure the names of these warriors are remembered by the generations that follow.
“May their courage remind us what it means to protect one another. May their sacrifice strengthen our bond as a pack. And may we honor them not only with our words today, but with the way we care for each other tomorrow.
“Silver Moon, remember them.” Rylan lowers his head after the eulogy. Then a woman steps forward from beside one of the coffins. Two young pups stand with her, one holding each of her hands. She looks toward Darian. “Why didn't you protect my mate too?” Her voice breaks. “He was there with you. Why didn't you bring him home?”
Darian doesn't answer. Arlene's hand tightens around his. The woman begins to cry. Paige steps forward. “Clare, he tried.” Clare looks at her.
Paige's eyes fill. “I was there. Darian protected every pack member with us. He was hurt, and he kept fighting. He was bleeding, barely able to stand, and he still put himself between us and the hunters.”
She looks toward Darian. “He almost died protecting us. He did everything he could to bring us home.” Milo moves closer to her.
Another pack member steps forward. “He helped my mother onto a wolf's back. She couldn't run.”
A woman beside him nods. “He made sure my pups got across the boundary.”
Then another voice rises. “He told us to keep moving.”
“He stayed behind with so many injuries.”
“He brought us home.”
One by one, the pack members who survived the attack step forward. Some still carry bandages. Others hold their pups close.
They speak about what they saw. About the warriors who protected them. About Darian continuing to fight after he was wounded.
Darian still remains silent. Clare looks at him again. “I'm sorry.” Her face crumples. “I just want my mate, back.”
Selena moves toward her, but Clare reaches for her children first. She pulls them close and begins to cry. Selena holds them in her arms.
Rylan steps forward. “No one can replace your mate. He was a hero. We will always be here for you and your pups.” Clare nods, but she doesn't let go of her children. As she returns to her family, one of the surviving pack members approaches Darian. “Thank you for bringing my family home.”
Darian nods. Another comes forward. “I'm glad you're part of Silver Moon.”
