CHAPTER 67

Maxine P.O.V

The Hampton Pack was dressed in black, standing in a circle as their faces reflected the grief and loss. I never called him "Dad." Not once. And everything I wanted to ask him, everything I wanted to say about how much I appreciated everything he did as an Alpha-for our pack, for us, myself-were never spoken. And with this, as the coffin of Ador was placed on the earth, I felt that finality was like a hook to the stomach.

My mother stood by my side, shaking with soft sobbing. She could not accept that. None of us could. It had happened too fast. That is all it was-happening too fast-and now we are left here picking up pieces of shattered reality. I let her cry, knowing no words could soothe the pain. But the truth was, I was just as broken. I couldn't bear it when Ador, the only father figure I ever knew, disappeared into the earth.

I turned to Alph. His face was stone-cold. His back was straight as he stared straight ahead. He was dressed in all black, like the rest of