Carmen’s leg buckled and her knees hit the ground under the weight. She could feel the blood staining her shirt.

Shane: Carmen!

Shane couldn’t hold her up. She slid to the ground with her. Shane held Carmen close to her body. Her mind rushed back to the time she held Shay in her arms.

Shane: Carmen, look at me. Don’t let your eyes close.

Carmen: It hurts.

Shane: I know it does. But Carmen, look at me. Don’t close your eyes.

Shane pressed her hand on the bullet wound. Tom had hit Carmen in the back. There was so much blood. Shane’s mind went blank.  She held onto Carmen crying. Carmen shivered from being cold. It was the loss of blood and probably shock.

Shane: Carm, I can’t do this. You can’t do this.

Carmen: It’s okay, I’m not… I’m not going anywhere.

Carmen’s voice got softer and softer. She cupped Shane’s cheek and wiped away her tears.

Carmen: Don’t cry… You never left me… I won’t leave you either.

Shane kissed Carmen’s hand. And held it in hers. She could see Carmen’s eyelids drooping.

Shane: Promise me.

Carmen didn’t have the energy to speak. She just nodded.

Shane: Carmen. Carmen.

She held onto Carmen for dear life.

Carmen: I love you… always have… always will…

Carmen took one more breath and felt herself slip into an endless dark world. Her hand slipped out from under Shane’s. Shane let out a scream so painful the people around her had to turn away and wipe away their tears. It was a heartbroken scream you hear from wolves who have lost their mates for life. The paramedics tried to get Carmen’s body out of Shane’s arms, but Shane wouldn’t let go. In the end, Dana came by and dealt her a swift blow to the head and Shane’s body went slump. The paramedics assessed Carmen’s injuries. Other than the bullet wound in her back, she had some cuts and bruises.

Paramedic: She’s losing blood fast. We have to get her to the hospital. I think the bullet punctured some organs.