After visiting the site where my father had fallen, Merrick and I visited the widows and widowers of our warriors that had fallen.
They were much more willing to show the pain they were in in front of me than in front of Merrick. It was probably because I was going through what they were experiencing as well.
"How do you stay so strong, Alpha?" One of the widows asked me in a breaking voice. Most of them were on the verge of tears whenever they spoke up.
I didn't blame them. It was painful to lose your mate, it was like losing half of yourself.
"It's because I have something else to live for, our pack." I told them, unwilling to share the news of my pregnancy yet.
"You are very strong, Alpha Amaya." One of the men who had lost his wife in the battle said. "May we all be as strong as you."
I simply nodded and thanked him for his kind words.
