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I kiss her cheek. “I love you so fucking much.”

Please.

My lips find hers, and I kiss my mate one last time. My wolf whimpers as I press my forehead against hers.

“I'm sorry, baby.”

Rylan is still beside me. He hasn't moved.

I don't know how I make my arms loosen.

The nurses approach slowly, and the moment their hands touch Arlene, my wolf begins begging. Mate. No. Don't take mate. Please.

Every instinct inside me screams to pull her back.

I force my arms to release her.

They lift Arlene's lifeless body away from my chest, and the cold air that replaces her makes me gasp. My empty arms fall against my lap as they place her carefully onto the bed.

Mate!

“Arlene.”

The nurses begin wheeling her toward the door. I breathe in desperately, following every trace of her scent.

Blood. Silver. Arlene.

Go with mate!

I push myself upright and follow them into the hallway. My legs barely hold me, but I don't stop.

Don't lose mate!

"I'm here."

The bed moves farther away, and her scent weakens. I reach through our bond again, searching for her with the one sense that has always belonged only to us.

Nothing.

The nurses turn the corner with her. Arlene's scent fades beneath the antiseptic and medicine until I can't find her anymore.

My wolf loses his fucking mind inside me. Find mate! Find mate!

I breathe in again, searching desperately. I can't smell her. I can't feel her.

I rip away from Rylan and run.

Someone calls my name behind me, but I don't stop. My bare feet pound against the cold hospital floor as I race through the halls and shove through the doors.

Cold night air slams into my lungs. Pine and damp earth fill my nose as I run toward the forest, but Arlene's scent isn't among them. Tears blur the trees ahead of me as I reach through our bond one more time and find the same unbearable emptiness.

My wolf surges beneath my skin, desperate to escape, desperate to run, still searching for the mate neither of us can feel anymore. I give him control as I race toward the trees. My bones crack as I shift, and together we disappear into the Silver Moon forest.

49

Darian's POV

My paws hit the ground so hard the earth tears beneath them. I run.