Conor started to protest immediately. Then he stopped. The demon was right. This was no longer their fight, but just like with Ezra decades ago, they had Stork's back.
Gao was setting up for the ceremony to buried the fallen women. She enlisted the help of several members from the pack. They built a funeral pyre. Andrew was meeting with their mates. He had to assess whether they would be alright for now.
Andrew talked with Lonny. His daughter sat in his lap as he held her close. The little girl was the spitting image of her mother. Lonny did not talk much, but Andrew felt he would be alright. Going rogue meant leaving his baby girl unprotected. "The ceremony is tonight. We will arrange child care for the little ones. I must tell you that my mate feels personally responsible for this. She has vowed to help you in any way that she can. I extend the same courtesy. Anything you need, the pack is here to provide."
Lonny nodded, "Alpha, thank you. I have my daughter to raise and I need time. Ingrid was my other half and no words, no promises can fix this. She did not do anything. She didn't deserve to die."
Andrew waited. Rayan and Brecken stood with him. The men had no words. They simply stood and waited for Ronny to grieve.
Soon, Andrew called for some thetas to join them. The older women came in and one took the baby while the other helped Lonny to his bed. Andrew was speechless. He still had to visit Sam. At least Lonny had his daughter to ground him. What did Sam have to hold on to? Andrew still knocked and was called in.
"Hello, Alpha, betas." Sam greeted.
Andrew waited and then he started to speak. I'm so sorry, Sam. So sorry. I never meant for anyone to be hurt. They were supposed to be safe there."
Sam broke, gut-wrenching sobs shook the room. He bellowed and screamed. Rayan and Brecken moved offering him support. They could not imagine the pain this young cat faced. His body quaked as he was consumed by grief.
Andrew knew with Sam they had to take precautions. He sent to Gao to call Conor. He needed Sam to be placed in the medical ward. He knew this were would go rogue.
Conor agreed immediately and sent his men to retrieve the fallen were-cat.
Meanwhile, Kade and Inuit were preparing to leave. Gao sent a message. Caitlyn, send Inuit here. She needs to see the damage she caused.
Caitlyn called Kade immediately. She could tell that Kade wanted to refuse, but right now she was still his leader and he had to obey.
Kade wanted to refuse. His wife could not take any more hits. Gao wanted someone to blame and it seemed that Inuit was the person she was focused on. Yet, if Mistress Caitlyn said for them to attend the ceremony, then they had no choice.
Kade walked into his bedroom. Inuit had returned last night, not speaking. Something seemed broken inside of her. Kade sat beside the bed where she lay and waited.
"Gao wants to blame me, but I was here. I had no way of telling them anything. I don't know how they figured out the plans, but I didn't tell them. I tried to send to Myles, but he never responded. I doubt that he heard me.
They always blame me even when I'm not to blame. I never wanted this. He never said anything about hurting women and children. I wanted was to cause Gao pain. She has no idea how much it hurts to be nothing. I know Kulkrit didn't really love me, but he was all I knew. This was not my fault, not my doing. I'm sorry that you have been caught up in this." She whispered.
