There's never been a fairytale ending for us

He didn’t know what he expected of her, Shaye was convinced Tana suffered from sickness of the mind. Rhyme wasn’t so sure, but he knew the trauma she suffered hadn’t been kind to her. He wished that life had been better for her, that he would have been able to do as he originally intended and helped her recover from that. He hadn’t though, and in the end she had reverted, but maybe there was still hope. Acere had agreed to let her come to his new pack, and though she wouldn’t be with or close to her children, she would have the attention and protection she needed.

Her words surprised him, and he replied softly. ”Tana, I never meant to hurt you.” Did she not understand? Rhyme and Shaye shared their alpha partnership and parenting relationships, and it didn’t go deeper. Rhyme couldn’t allow himself down that road again. Did she know how much she hurt her pups? How much they cried after she left? How much Noir… Rhyme looked away as he thought about the boy. Would he have felt the levels of jealousy he did right now if Tana had remained. ”Nothing,” He emphasized the words. ”Would hurt our pups.” Rhyme would give his own life before he allowed harm to come to his offspring. ”You leaving hurt our pups.” He whispered, still averting his gaze from her eyeless face.