when you lose something you can not replace

Accepting Shaye was gone was like losing her all over again. As time went on the tall once alpha was coming to realize his folly without being pushed too harshly by those around him. So far they could see his pain and wanted to help him but had no way how. He had to choose to help himself before he could move on. There was no past to get back to, despite his haunting and desire to sink into the insanity.

Having Samara at his side and his daughter in his corner Rhyme could feel a hope trying to live. He didn’t feel complete without Shaye, but he was being guided gently towards a path of healing and independence. He saw the light at the end of the tunnel but getting there would be impossible alone. Rhyme sighed softly and relaxed against Samara as she spoke his name, his soft whimpers grew quiet.

”Yeah,” he answered her just as quietly unsure if he wanted to be awake. He felt so weak and incapable and he wondered to himself if Abaven would have been better off with his position switched with Shaye. He was worthless in this state and his existence an unnecessary weight to the pack he loved.