Beverly's POV

Bruce's text destroyed me, I didn't expect what he said. I sat staring at my phone screen until the words blurred together through tears I refused to let fall.

‘The family you left behind.’ Like I had abandoned them instead of taking a trip that was supposed to help our pack. Like choosing to grow and learn meant I did not love my daughter or my mate.

I went through the Summit on autopilot for the next two days, attending sessions about pack security and territorial ...