The Broken Warrior’s Daughter by Cooper

Chapter 0597

As Anders finishes his speech, his voice breaking, he stands to light the pyre holding my physical body. I walk to Clint, putting my hand on his shoulder, Andra walks beside his wheelchair and leans against him. both of us lending him what strength we can.

As the fire burns, everyone begins to move toward the packhouse. They will have a celebration of my life. That is what we do in our pack, we celebrate the life of the ones we’ve lost. As I look down, I can see that Clint will not be celebrating today. He stays, watching my body burn, long after everyone else has gone.

Calista comes to take Cara and tries to get Clint to come too, but he just shakes his head. I stay with Clint. “You can do this, my love. You’re so strong, I know you can do this.” I say to him, knowing he can’t

hear me.

As we stand here, Alpha Christopher comes to stand beside Clint. “I know what you’re feeling. And I know you want nothing more than to lay down and hope the Moon Goddess takes you to join your mate. But you have to live for your daughter. She needs you.”

“How?” Clint whispers, his voice sounding rough and raw.

“Everyday when you wake up, you get out of bed. Then you shower. Then you get your daughter up, make sure she’s fed and get her off to school. Then you do it again in reverse in the evening when she comes home. Eventually, you don’t have to fight to do each step, you just start going through the motions. And then you start filling in the time when she’s gone. At least, that’s what I did. You’ll never get over it, never

get over her, but it does get easier with time.”

As the two of them stand together, watching the pyre burn. I turn to find my daughter. When I do, I see her sitting in a chair. Someone, probably Calista has brought her some food, but she’s not eating. When no one is looking, she ducks away and climbs the stairs to our room. The room has been re–arranged. The bed is gone and so are most of our belongings. I’m guessing they had to move Clint to the first floor

since he couldn’t get upstairs any longer.

I watch as she pulls a blanket from the closet and wraps it around herself. It’s the blanket that I had her wrapped in when I took her to the safe room. She takes a deep breath, sniffing my scent on the blanket

down

he just

him. “I’m sorry, Alpha. I shouldn’t be crying on you like this.”

make this our little secret? I won’t tell, if you won’t tell. Okay?”

my words to Liam all those years ago repeated to

tears start again. “My mommy is

was my friend. I’m going to miss her.” He

lost my mom when I was about your

him, her emerald eyes

know

shakes her head at him.

gave me her number and told me to call her anytime I

always answered

don’t have anyone to call.” My sweet girl says tearfully.

need to talk, no matter what time it is, you call me, and I’ll answer. Even if you just need to cry or tell me about

here for you

and paper, writing his number

right?”

one

anytime, Cara. I mean it. And, if you need to get out, Cyran can take you for a run. He’d be happy to carry you or