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He looks at me for a long moment. “Because somewhere along the way, you became my brother.”

My throat tightens.

“We don't share blood.”

“Doesn't matter.” His eyes stay on mine. “You've become more of a brother to me than Ronan ever was.”

I don't know what to say to that.

Rylan squeezes my shoulder before releasing me. “We're going to find out where that dagger came from. We're going to find out who sent it and what your former pack has to do with it.”

My wolf presses forward.

Pups waiting.

I turn toward home.

“But not tonight,” Rylan says beside me. “Tonight, Damian, Darlene, and Arian need their father.”

Go home.

I take the first step.

Then another.

Arian's screams reach me before I make it through the front door.

My feet stop. My wolf presses forward.

Pup.

I force myself inside.

Paige walks across the living room with Arian against her shoulder, bouncing him while his tiny face turns red from crying. Piper sits on the couch with Darlene wrapped tightly in her arms. Milo is on the floor beside Damian.

Damian looks up. His brown eyes find mine.

“Daddy?”

Every adult in the room looks at me.

Damian stands. “Where's Mommy?”

Darlene lifts her head from Piper's chest.

“Daddy?”

Damian walks toward me. “I felt something.”

His hand presses against his chest.

“It snapped.”

My heart breaks.

“I've been trying to mindlink Mommy.” Tears fill his eyes. “I can't find her.”

Darlene slips out of Piper's arms. “Where's Mommy?”