I believed that the bond would grow over time.I believed that as long as my devotion was deep enough,you would eventually see me.But some Claims are simply destined not to be fulfilled.On this fifth Claim anniversary,I leave you two gifts.They are at the bottom of the box.
Farewell,Ryder Thorne.
The rest of your cycles,may you both find your true,bonded destinies.]
Ryder’s hand trembled violently as he held the scroll.He never knew that Elara’s devotion had been a permanent,foundational part of his life for so long.He had foolishly assumed her feelings only developed after she reached adulthood.
A sharp,searing pain tore through his chest.He continued to search the box,finding two official Pack documents at the bottom.One was the familiar Severance Decree that he recognized from a month ago—the very document he knew was circulating.
But the other document hit him with the force of an Alpha blow.
The other document was a Pup Status Report from the Pack Healer’s Den.
It clearly stated the horrifying truth:[Fetus Status:6 cycles of pregnancy.Termination/Reabsorption required due to maternal trauma.]
There was also a final,damning note written in Elara’s elegant script on the report.