Page 51 of Ascension of the Pack

‘I did,’ I managed. I didn’t blame her for what she’d tried to do. If I saw Greg’s death in a vision, I would do everything I could to stop it from happening. ‘I’m sorry.’ I winced as I offered the empty platitude.

‘I know.’ She sighed again. ‘He was really enjoying teaching the pups martial arts. It meant a lot to him. You’ll find someone else to take up that mantle?’

I nodded. ‘If that’s what you want.’

Yes. We must honour his memory,Esme added softly.

‘Yes. It was important to him.’

‘Okay.’ I hesitated, not sure how to ask. ‘We would like to lay him to rest with Nina.’

‘Yes,’ she nodded. ‘I’d like that.’

‘We’ll do it shortly, once the healing is finished. I know that many will want to attend.’

‘He didn’t want a eulogy,’ she said. ‘He just wanted a simple service. He’s not… He wasn’t one for flowery phrases.’

I nodded. ‘I know.’

‘I’d like to see him now.’

‘I’ll show you to him,’ I offered and stood up. We’d covered Tristan with a sheet and put him in one of the rarely used reception rooms.

‘Thank you.’ She followed me through the corridors of the mansion.

I paused in front of the door. ‘He’s through there. Is there anything…?’ My voice trailed off.

‘No.’ She smiled wanly and patted my hand. ‘There’s nothing you can do – but thank you.’ She walked into the room and shut the door behind her, but even so I heard her wail of despair. My shoulders slumped and my eyes stung. Poor Candice. This sucked so much.

My phone buzzed with a message from Amber:You’re not coming??

I replied:Things are dicey here. Don’t forget to give her the amulet.

Do you need me to come?was her instant reply, which warmed my heart.

No, I’m okay. Make Jess’s day as magical as possible, please.

I’m on it.

I checked the time. Night was drawing in but I still had a couple of hours before Jess’s wedding. Time enough to say goodbye to Tristan.

Can we go and see Nina?Terrance asked.I would like to see her.His voice was anxious.

I thunked my head against my hand. Of course he was.Absolutely. We’ll go now.

I stalked out of the mansion and paused at the sight of the clean-up still going on in my garden. I looked around automatically for David and then my heart thundered. David! How had I forgotten about him even in the midst of all this?

I looked around for Greg and saw him with Leyla, who was busy painting healing runes on my wolves. Jacob sat next to her, his shoulders slumped and dejected. I could only see the tip of one wing; I guessed that answered my earlier question about whether Layla could regrow the one the dark seraph had lost.

I went to him. ‘Hey. How are you holding up?’

‘I’ve been better,’ Jacob said drily.

Sara nudged him with her hip. ‘You’re fine. You’re alive, and that’s better than most of our fucking foes can say!’

He sighed. ‘I can’t fly. What good am I if I can’t fly?’

‘You don’t need to fly to be a valuable part of our pack,’ I insisted. And maybe – on another day – I could help him fly with the aid of some air power. I patted his shoulder and turned to Greg. ‘Did you see Elliott Thomas joined with Isaacs?’

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