Page 157 of Crystal Luna

“I shouldn’t miss him. He hurt you.”

“But he was your brother.”

“I hate this.”

“I know.”

“I want it to stop.”

“As hard as this is to hear—there’s no stopping grief. You learn to live with it.”

Asher stood and rounded the bed to stand beside Vel. He supported her with one arm around her waist while his other hand clenched his brother’s arm. He leaned in close, trying to soothe his brother as much as possible while grieving himself.

“I’m sorry,” Isaiah muttered.

“Isaiah, stop. There is no need,” Asher repeated.

“It feels like there is.”

“He’s right,” Vel said. “You have nothing to apologise for.”

When the twins began to feel Vel’s body shake, they helped her back into bed and took their respective sides. From there, they watched until she fell into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Velora

Velora woke up with Asher still sleeping, his head on the mattress next to her. Isaiah stood at the window, peeking out through the closed curtains, seeming much more himself.

His eyes found hers and a sweet smile spread over his lips. “Feeling a little better?”

“Like I was struck by a train, but yes. Have you slept?”

“A little but Axel and Luka needed some advice and since I wasn’t of any use earlier, I let Ash rest a little.”

Asher jolted to a sitting position. “I’m up,” he mumbled, though his eyes were still closed.

With a smile, Velora ran her fingers through his hair and scratched just behind his ear. “When did Detlef say I could leave?”

Isaiah’s mind blanked slightly before he responded. “He’s on his way to take another look at you, then he’ll decide.”

Asher reached for the nightstand, careful not to pull out of her grip. He grabbed the snacks and water bottle there and handed them over. “This should hold you over until we can get you home and make you something proper to eat.”

She ripped open the bag of crisps, adopting a sharing system with Asher like one would a puppy. Their minds were so closely linked now that they could hear her every thought.

“Any updates?” she asked as she fed Asher another crisp.

Isaiah stepped up to her and she turned the bag so he could grab one of his own. “They’re still recovering Ely’s body. His father and Renly have started to prepare for his arrival.”

“When is his ceremony?”

“We’re not exactly sure yet—hopefully in a few days. Still figuring out our next move with the rogues.”

“Has the plan changed? Are we still sending some of our men out as bait?”

“Honestly, we’re not sure. We’d have to choose who we send carefully. It has to be believable without endangering the pack. And I’m sure many of them would like to be here for Ely’s ceremony.”

She only nodded in response. There was another question on her lips that she dared not ask—one about Ely’s replacement.