"How? "Luca let out a snarl with broken voice. The might of the rival Alpha—
"Isn't perfect," Kael said, interrupting "You know that," said She is battling, out there waiting for us to bring her back.
Luca's hands closed and his whole body shook with wrath and powerlessness. The link pulsed weakly, its energy a frail thread barely keeping him anchored to Aria.
"She sacrificed herself for this pack, for me," Luca whispered, his voice low and full of suffering. And I lacked sufficient strength to stop her. Kael bent next to him, his golden gaze sharp. Luca, you lacked the strength to stop her since she made her decision. You know Aria; she never would have compromised her values. And neither should you.
The pack reassembled, their faces a combination of weariness and discomfort as they waited for Luca's orders. Ryker moved ahead with a measured but strong voice. Alpha, what is the strategy? ("")
