Phoenix Maplewood If I sit still, maybe I'll get out of here

Reek had never felt such a level of emotional bereavement. Far worse than the death of his friends: Scarlett and Pantaleimon - or even the pain caused by Reek's mother's untimely passing - was the grief caused by the possible death of his mateship— his family that he had worked so hard to build was crumbling in the wake of his grave mistake. His mate's anger did not abate, nor did Reek expect it to. His ears folded back in shame and Reek took the verbal beating that he so rightfully deserved without argument.

"I'll do whatever I hath too to make thith right," spoke Reek. He felt it as a promise— at least here and now, under the weight of Saena's scrutiny, it felt so. But, at the same time, talk was cheap. He could pledge himself to kill his own flesh and blood, but it wouldn't give him the strength to follow through.  Deep down, a part of Reek knew he would not be able to act as Saena expected. He needed an escape plan, but for now, he just prayed that his infidelity hadn't caused Tavi to fall pregnant.

Though he could not see Saena pull away, he could feel her distance. Weak and blind, Reek crawled forward a few paces. He shook his head and said, "You're not Wynter." When he had cheated on Wynter for Saena, all Reek could think of was what he had gained. From a broken mateship blossomed something new, something beautiful— but now, all Reek could see is what he had lost in his greed. "You're the betht thing that'sth ever happened to me... I don' detherve to be your mate." Tears began to flow freely and Reek swore he could feel his heart breaking in two.