Cole's Redemption (Alpha Pack #5)(67)

At that, Zan smiled. Nobody ever called him by his full name, and Jax knew it. He supposed his friend knew their minutes were numbered. Zan had never known how precious time was until it was almost gone.

Giving his mate one last kiss on her lips, he turned away and hurried to Nick. Whipped almost to death and nearly drained, the commander was in even worse shape than Selene had been, and if there had been any doubt this healing session would be Zan’s last, there wasn’t any longer.

As he placed his palms on Nick’s chest and sent the warmth of his energy into him, Zan actually felt the tiny ruptures starting to happen in his brain. Each little pop battered him with dizziness. Then the pops became agony, like a sharp spear being driven into his skull and deep into his gray matter.

He couldn’t quit. Nick had seemingly given up on his own life, but Zan wouldn’t do the same. The commander had more living to do, a daughter to make amends with and to love. Zan was sad he wouldn’t be there to see it, to grow old loving his mate.

Muscle and bone knitted, healed. He saw to that, every single furrow from the whip’s lashes, every drop of blood, cleaned. No scars. Gone, like a wisp of smoke. He replaced the man’s blood, improved his circulation. All Nick had to do was awaken.

He was done. Sitting on his heels, he tilted his head back. Tried to suck in air. But it was no use. His skull was in a vise, so much pressure crushing his brain. One by one, the rest of the arteries and veins gave way, releasing a flood of pain, and he fell backward, crying out. Warm liquid gushed from his nose, filled his mouth.

He was caught, held by someone on the team. Jax? Shadows hovered over him as voices called out to him. Begged him to hang on. He wanted to tell them it was okay, he was fine. Anything to take away their panic, their sorrow.

For one brief moment, his vision cleared and he saw them all. His whole team, except for Nick. His brothers. He loved them all. He wanted to see Selene one more time, but he knew she was healing. She would be all right, and that was all that mattered. Maybe he’d see her again in heaven one day, if such a place existed.

The last of his breath left him on a puff of air. Then his brothers’ beloved faces faded into white.

And Zander Cole died.

The first thing Selene became aware of was the tomblike silence all around her. Then the soft sounds of . . . sobbing? Who was crying?

“Oh, f**k no! Please . . .”

That was Jax’s voice. The hair on the back of her neck prickled, and fear shot down her spine. Gingerly, she sat up and rubbed her temples, trying to get her bearings. She’d been going after the rogues. Darrow. Rescuing her father—and Zan!

Glancing to her right, she spotted Darrow on the floor, his throat ripped out. She was glad he was dead, the fight obviously won since the Pack, the prince, and his men were all standing around. But why was everyone so quiet?

“Zan?” she called. Alerted that she was conscious, some of the prince’s men met her eyes and then quickly looked away. Most alarming of all was when she focused on the faces of the Pack team; every one of them had tears in his eyes, some streaming down his cheeks. A cold lump formed in her chest.

They moved aside as a unit to reveal Jax sitting on the floor. And in his arms was her mate. His head was tilted back, and he wasn’t moving.

“What’s going on?” Her voice rose. “Zan?”

On her hands and knees, she scrambled over to kneel beside Jax and looked into her mate’s handsome face. His beautiful eyes were half-open, staring into space. His chest wasn’t moving. Blood had streamed from his nose and mouth, but was drying now. Seconds ticked by, and she couldn’t process what had happened.

“Zander?” Reaching out, she touched his face. Still warm, but cooler than he should be, perhaps. Trying again, she shook him. “Wake up, honey. We won!”

“Selene,” Jax said on a sob. “I’m sorry.”

“How come he’s not waking up? What’s going on?” No. It wasn’t true. She refused to believe.

Suddenly, Aric crouched next to her, took her hand. The normally cocky wolf was the picture of devastation. “Selene, he’s gone,” he said gently. “There was nothing we could do.”

“No!” Shaking her head frantically, she searched the others’ expressions, seeking affirmation that he was fine. “H-he’s going to be all right! He’s just in shock, or tired. Needs to rest.”

Suddenly, a large hand squeezed her shoulder. Turning, she found herself looking into her father’s stricken face. “Daddy! You’re all right! Tell them Zan’s going to be fine, too, just as soon as he rests. He’s—”

“Baby girl, listen to me. Zan did a brave thing tonight. He sacrificed himself for the people he loved most—you and me. He healed us both, but his brain just couldn’t take any more. Do you understand?”

The truth crept in, no matter how hard she fought to keep it out. Her throat began to burn, and her eyes blurred as she looked to the man in Jax’s arms. “Daddy?”

“Zan’s dead, baby,” he said hoarsely, hugging her close. “I’m so, so sorry.”

Stunned, she momentarily leaned in to her father. Then she pushed away from him and pointed a shaking finger at Jax, voice rising. “You’re a Timebender! So reverse time and fix this!”

“I can’t,” he croaked. “Zan would never forgive me.”