Lily stepped forward, her voice as soft as ever. “Sloane, my son died. Talon stayed to help me with the burial. Please don’t misunderstand.” Her words were sweet, but her eyes held the same smugness I had always known.
“Oh, you’ve got yourself a truly loyal mate,” I muttered.
Talon's frown deepened. “Sloane, show some sympathy. Lily’s been through a lot. You don't need to make this harder.”
I had no more energy to argue. My mother was dead. I had no patience left for them. “It’s not necessary. I’ll be leaving now.”
I walked past them, ignoring the confusion on Talon’s face. But he wasn’t done with me yet. He rushed after me, grabbing my arm. “Are you still upset about the ceremony?” His voice was casual, like it was no big deal that he had failed to show up for our union.
“I don’t care anymore, Talon,” I said coldly.
He sighed, exasperated. “Lily needed me. I couldn’t leave her alone when her dog died. But your mother will forgive me, right? Tell her I’m sorry, and we can set a new date for the ceremony.”
I stopped in my tracks. The Alpha of the Nightclaw, the one I’d given seven years of my life to, didn’t even know my mother had passed.