"Tell me," Jasper begged. Still weeping. Still reaching blindly. "Please. Tell me about our son. About Lucian. Just... anything. His eyes. His laugh. If he's strong. If he's safe. If..."
"Stop." The word came out hollow. "Just stop."
"I can't." He tried to sit up. Failed. Slumped back against the wall with a wet thud that sent dust cascading from the rafters. "I can't stop. Not until you... Araya, please. I'm dying. And I need to know. Need to hear about him. Need..." He reached out. Found my hand. Gripped it with desperate strength that spoke of Alpha power still buried beneath the damage. "Need you to forgive me. To give me peace before I..."
He pulled.
Not hard. Just enough. Just a tug that brought me closer, made me stumble forward onto my knees beside him.
And then he kissed me.
