***20 years later***
Dominique woke in the middle of the night feeling like her heart was being squeezed. She bolted upright and gasped for air. She turned to Tim and saw him lying on his side away from her. She reached over and put her hand on his arm. He didn't move. He had been sick for the past year, his health declining. He had often been talking to a friend to help him cope with his declining health. Her wolf had been mourning her mate as he had not been able to let his wolf out.
Tim was 79 years old. He was not a natural born wolf so his health didn't last as long as theirs. He was dying of old age. She knew it and so did he but she was still struggling with the fact that he was dying. She had loved him for so long and they had built a beautiful life together. She rolled him onto his back and put her face near his as she listened for breath sounds. They were faint but they were there.
"Tim, my love, are you still with me?" Dominique whispered.
