Ethan

Jane and I are both on our feet the moment we see our pup injured. My instincts send me flying onto the ice, but my braces keep me from moving the way I normally would. I barely beat Jane to Parker’s side, biting back a growl of pain when the braces wrench my legs into painful contortions. I can’t feel anything below the waist, but the sharp metal still digs into my abdomen, and the powerful pinch as they try to adjust to the precarious surface beneath my feet is nearly excruciating.

I drop to my knees beside Parker, scanning his precious form for the source of the injury. Almost at once I see a bleeding gash on his forearm, and though I’m relieved to see the wound isn’t grave, I still feel a pang of sympathy for the child. “Are you okay, buddy?”

Parker looks up at me, his dark eyes welling with tears as his face grimaces in pain. He’s clutching his arm, clearly trying to put up a strong front but obviously struggling. Daddy, it hurts.”

Jane is already on the ground beside him, stroking back his hair. “Let Mommy see, sweetheart.” She encourages gently, reaching for his arm.

I watch her examine him, praising him for being so brave as she deftly studies the injury. The sight of his crimson blood staining the ice makes me feel sick to my stomach, despite the fact that I’m no stranger to blood and gore. It’s always been the same with Paisley, seeing her injured can cut me to the core while I barely blink at dead enemies on a battlefield.

What happened?” I press, my wolf anxious to confirm it was simply a skating accident and that there’s no greater threat.

He lost his balance.” Riley answers for her brother, “but when he felled his arm hit Ryder’s skate.”

Tsk, poor darling.” Jane croons, “Let’s get you off the ice, I bet there’s a first aid kit here somewhere.”

I scoop up Parker before she can object, needing to feel him safe in my arms. The others follow us off the ice, and Jane disappears to find medical supplies.

My wolf wants to follow her, not wanting to let her out of his sight. Unfortunately there’s no way around this, so instead I find a bench and settle with Parker in my lap while his brothers and sisters gather around us.

Where’d Mommy go?” He sniffles, looking around anxiously.

“She’ll be right back.” I assure him. She just went to find some bandaids.”

He’s sniffling louder now, and I realize we’re about to have a full on breakdown. I want Mommy.”

Parker m0ans, letting his tears fall freely now.

pain hadn’t been bad enough to send him over the edge on its own, but Jane’s absence on top of the discomfort was too

Paisley consoles

Mommy

seems surprised to find Parker crying and reaching for her when she returns, but she takes him into her arms as easily as breathing. “Poor

croons, stroking his hair as he presses his tear stained face into her neck. “It’s okay, I’m

Mommy’s got you.”

mother can. If only all problerms could be fixed as easily as they can when we’re little, and the only medicine that will do is a hug from Mom. It’s an important reminder of why I have to help repair Jane’s relationship with the pups. Not only because she’ll never recover if they continue to shun her,

their attention is focused on Parker as I kneel down, unsteady and graceless in the braces. As I begin cleaning the wound, pleased to see it’s shallow

more intrigued than grossed out.

bad, Parker.” Ryder adds

and lots?” Paisley asks in a hushed

shakes his head, downplaying the ache.

praises him as I

you’re ‘barrassing me.” Despite his words, he doesn’t attempt to move a single inch from

that he, and not Ryder, is my natural heir. And though he’s still very young, he’s clearly already feeling the pressure to hide his vulnerable side. That’s another thing I’ll have to do. I think, beginning a list in my head of all the tasks I need to accomplish before I say goodbye to my family for good. Help Jane find her strength again, heal her relationship with the pups, teach my boys that being strong doesn’t mean destroying their

about loving and being loved.” I tell Parker, seeing Jane’s eyes widen in surprise over his head. Your Mommy

only to be cut off when

siblings you loved them and they told you to stop because they didn’t want

bad, like there’s something wrong

“It’s okay to feel embarrassed sometimes, but you should never feel ashamed of showing

loves you more

a bitter twinge. A few weeks ago they never would have doubted her, now they need to hear it from me to believe it – and it’s all my fault in the first place. “It’s true.” She agrees solemnly. “I love you four more than I love

now, and Parker’s lower !ip

okay munchkin.” She promises,

you more and more as you get

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