Prologue

Killian

" K illian, you have to talk to her. She's tearing herself apart." My eyes narrow and dart to Garett as he comes to stand by my side. I want to snarl at him, say that I know, that I can feel her guilt and despair at the loss of Tori. But I don't, knowing he's struggling with this just as much as I am. Rubbing at my chest where the bond between myself and Ari seems to sit, I shrug in response to his comment.

"What am I going to say? You know I'm no good at this feelings stuff." The words are gruff and full of self-loathing at not being able to help my mate. I feel Garett's full attention turn from Ari to me, his hand landing on my shoulder in a brotherly gesture. If you'd have asked me a year ago if I would be having this conversation with a bear shifter, I'd have laughed in your face.

"You have a bond with her that I don't, you can reach through the pain and darkness and bring her back to us." His words hold a truth that gives me some hope.

Turning to look at my mate again, I feel my heart clutch painfully as we watch her training in the gym, her body flickering in and out of shadow as she runs through the obstacle course.

"It's not going to be easy. I know firsthand how tightly grief can hold you down." My voice is weary as I rub my hand over my face, none of us have been getting much sleep recently.

"Which is why you're the best person to help her through this," he responds, and we both fall back into silence as we watch Ari battle her demons.