"I taught her. As I have taught you. She was brilliant. Brave beyond measure. But terrified, always. The fear never left her."
I sat down heavily on a supply crate. "Tell me about her. Please. I barely remember..."
Thea's expression softened. She sat beside me.
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"She chose to fight despite her fear. Saved many people that day. Including you." Thea touched my face gently, like she was seeing someone else. "There was a rogue attack—coordinated, vicious. Your mother organized the defense herself. Fought like a demon to protect the pack. To protect you."
"But she died."
"She did. But not before ensuring every child made it to safety. Not before killing the rogue alpha with her bare hands when he tried to reach the shelter. She died standing between her pac
