Sunset Valley “no pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous”

Goldeneye’s account didn’t make sense. Riley took it in with a sense of disbelief; when the scout finished, Riley stood in thought for what felt a painfully long time.

Watch them — please. He instructed Goldeneye, giving each of the young pups a brief hug before he turned, speeding off in the direction Goldeneye pointed.

A warbling call brought him close — his gaze briefly apprised Dagur, but ultimately, Riley’s whole attention was on his mate.

Something was horribly wrong.

The characteristic light in those golden eyes he loved so much; they were fractured and disoriented. The dark merlot of her mask — the identifying feature of Raider Riley found so striking — bore no resemblance to the mate he knew. Her face was dirty, disheveled, flecked with the rime of foam and blood.

Raider — Riley begged of her as she spun upon herself. He didn’t register the stranger above, who warned them all to not get close.

This was his mate. Excepting the puppies, this was the one soul in life Riley loved the most. He would move mountains for her. He would do —

anything —

Raider, stop! He begged, rushing to her side. He noticed she was attacking her scar; had something happened? Had a dormant infection in her hip awakened, and now she was delirious with fever?

Riley didn’t know — but his heart and mind was overcome with heartbreak as he watched his mate suffer and realized he could do little to stop it. He tried to pin her - to force her down to the ground where she would stop hurting herself. Anything — anything at all to make her okay.