One For Caleb

Galen looked up at Ashleigh with surprise, and then he turned away.

She had been curious. After she had become numb to the pain of the vigil, she laid back in her bed and thought back on it. Replayed it in her mind. Watched as each person in Caleb’s life stepped forward and made their offering.

But she never saw Galen step forward.

They were best friends, brothers. She knew why she, Caleb’s mate, his wife, hadn’t made an offering, but she couldn’t figure out why Galen wouldn’t.

“I… made my own offerings, privately.”

Ashleigh furrowed her brows.

“Offerings?” she asked. “More than one?”

Galen swallowed and nodded.

“Several times over the past few months…” he said quietly.

Her curiosity now became a genuine confusion.

In Winter, they built a pyre and stood witness as their packmate was carried through the flames to the Goddess. They defended the pyre. They ensured it burned bright all night to guide them home to her.