CIAN
The sentinels carried my mother out on the stretcher. I watched them disappear through the door. My chest felt tight. My hands wouldn't stop clenching and unclenching at my sides.
I turned to Thorne.
He stood there. Silent. His face was pale. His hands were still shaking. He looked like he wanted to say something but the words wouldn't come.
I took a step toward him.
"You are this pack's healer," I said. My voice came out in a dangerous growl. "And you could not tell that my mother wasn't affected by the rot but poison."
Thorne's knees buckled. He dropped to the floor hard. The sound echoed through the chamber.
"I know," he said. His voice cracked. "I know I have failed you, Alpha."
"No."
He looked up at me. Confused.
"You didn't just fail me," I said. Each word felt like it was being dragged out of my throat. "You and Maren's incompetence would have killed my mother."
Thorne's face went even paler. If that was possible.
