She couldn't stop shaking. Blue gripped the pillow like grim death, piercing the thin white fabric with sharp nails. Darkness swam in her hazy vision; she felt Omega draw near again but she held still--there was nowhere else to run, really. But then he was there, touching her gently, purring soothing words in her ears, and she was able to catch a swift breath, inhaling shakily.

Tears still coursed down her cheeks as Blue leaned her head against his, wanting to nuzzle into him but knowing that was so unfair, to offer what she couldn't really give. That didn't stop her from carefully unclenching one hand from the pillow and bringing it to stroke his cheek with trembling fingers, letting them drift down to curl in the fabric of his shirt.

Was she always going to feel this way? Would she never be able to have her mate ever again? A fresh wave of misery rolled over her and Blue dropped her head to Omega's shoulder, unable to stop her sobs this time. She cried like a brokenhearted child, sadness breaking her all the way down.