Page 141 of Mates: Posy

"Killed her," came a quiet croak from Zayden's bed, and Lilah immediately ran over to his side.

"Zayden?" She picked his hand up and rubbed her thumb over his bruised knuckles. "Zayden, what happened?"

"Killed Mom." His voice gained a little strength as his swollen eyes slit open a bit. "Alpha killed Mom."

"No!" She covered her mouth with one hand. "No, no, no! Not Aunt Susie!"

"Took our Junie. Alpha took our Junie."

"Zayden, what are you saying?" she whispered.

"We fought him. Him and half the pack. Couldn't stop them." His voice broke and a tear streaked from the corner of his left eye. "Killed Mom. Took our Junie. Our Junie."

Closing his eyes, he passed out with his sister's name on his lips.

Poor guy, I thought at the same time Nyx said,Half the pack?

I frowned, wishing we could get more information from these two, but it obviously wasn't happening any time soon. I needed to talk to the doctor and find out—

Lilah's knees gave out, and I grabbed her before she hit the floor. Swinging her up in my arms, I cradled her against my chest. She clutched my shoulders and buried her face in my neck, her hot tears trickling down to soak my shirt.

"I can't. Julian, I can't!" she gasped. "Not Junie. Please,please, not Junie!"

"Look at me, Lilah."

She only sobbed harder, breaking my heart.

"Darling, look at me."

"This is all my fault!" she wailed.

"Lilah. Look. At. Me." I waited until she lifted her face. Her eyes were wild and her skin flour-white, making all her freckles stand out like tiny bruises. "None of this is your fault."

"But Junie—"

"I'll go get her, shall I? I'll bring her back here to you."

"Promise?"

"I promise, darling. I'll take care of this. You don't have to cry anymore. I'll fix it, baby."

"Your majesty? A word?"

Luke's voice surprised me. Concerned for my queen, I'd forgotten I wasn't alone.

I'd split us all up once we arrived at the clinic. I sent the four alphas to talk with their betas and interview the witch, but kept Ranger, Gisela, and Luke with me.

I turned with Lilah in my arms and raised an eyebrow in question as I looked at their three concerned faces.

"Sire, how about I find a chair for her?" Gisela asked. "My queen, would you like to sit down?"

"I don't want to be separated from her," I growled.

"Of course not. I'll bring one in here," she offered. "I'm sure she'll want to sit by their bedsides for a bit."

I hesitated, not wanting her out of my arms, but Gisela pointed out she'd be more comfortable, and Lilah said she'd like that, so I nodded. My beta slipped out of the room, and I looked at the other two.

"Want me to fetch the doctor?" Ranger scratched his scruffy chin.

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