He cried for her. For the impossible choice she would have to make. For the fact that loving him and his brothers had destroyed her life.
He cried for his pack members who died protecting her. For the allies who came when called and paid with their lives.
He cried for Sebastian and Lucian who were falling apart just as badly as he was but trying to hold it together for each other.
He cried for the future they would never have. For the life they could have built if fate had been kinder. For everything they were about to lose.
And when the tears finally stopped, when he had nothing left inside him except hollow exhaustion, Nicholas straightened and wiped his face and rebuilt the mask of control he needed to lead.
Because that was what Alphas did.
They broke down in private. And then they stood up and led.
Nicholas turned back to Lilith and crossed to the bed one more time.
