章 48: Chapter 48: Dress Rehearsal

Jake's POV

Jake took a steadying breath as he surveyed the formation on the drill field.

Ripley stood quietly by his side.

"I didn't realize there were so many of you," she said quietly.

"Some of the pack is more solitary than others. We do our best to allow people to live their own lives. It's rare that something like this happens."

"I'm sorry to have brought this on everyone." Ripley looked to him nervously, eyes shining with unshed tears.

"No, Rip, hey," Jake crooned, turning to her and pulling her into a tight hug. "You don't have any control over what has happened to you. And these people are here to make sure you can take that control back."

His heart thudded in his chest, the pain of seeing her in pain nearly making him keel over.

She offered him a watery smile. "Well, I'm going to make sure that their sacrifice never goes to waste." Ripley set her jaw, her expression going from an exhausted sadness to grim determination.