Chapter 408: Love Her The Way I Would Have Loved Her

"I need you both to promise me something," Nicholas said.

"Anything," Sebastian whispered.

"Take care of each other," Nicholas said. "When I’m gone, you’ll only have each other. Don’t let grief destroy that. Don’t let my death drive a wedge between you. Stay together. Stay strong. Be the brothers I know you are."

"We promise," Lucian said.

"And take care of Lilith," Nicholas continued. "Love her the way I would have loved her if I had more time. Protect her. Support her. Help her navigate whatever changes resurrection brings. Make sure she knows she’s not alone. That she has both of you. Always."

"We will," Sebastian said.

Nicholas stood and walked around the desk.

He pulled Sebastian to his feet and wrapped him in a tight embrace.

Sebastian broke completely. Sobbing into Nicholas’s shoulder like a child.

"I can’t lose you," Sebastian whispered. "I can’t. We’ve been together since before we were born. How am I supposed to exist in a world where you don’t?"

"The same way Lilith will exist in a world without me," Nicholas said quietly. "You wake up every day. You keep going. You find reasons to live. And eventually, the grief becomes bearable."

He held Sebastian for a long moment. Then released him and turned to Lucian.

Lucian was standing now too. Trying so hard to stay strong. To not break.

Nicholas pulled him into an embrace.

Lucian’s entire body shook but he did not cry. Just held onto Nicholas like if he held tight enough, he could keep his brother from leaving.

"I should be the one going," Lucian whispered. "It should be me. I’m the most expendable. The most..."

"You’re not expendable," Nicholas interrupted. "You’re essential. Sebastian needs you. Lilith needs you. The pack needs you. Don’t ever think otherwise."

"But you...."

"I’m doing what I was meant to do," Nicholas said. "Protecting the people I love. There’s no greater purpose than that."

He released Lucian and stepped back.

"I love you both," Nicholas said. "I always have. Since before we were born. Since we were souls choosing to come into this world together. You’re my brothers. My best friends. The other halves of me. And nothing....not death, not the Veil, not permanent ending, will ever change that."

Sebastian made a sound like a wounded animal.

Lucian turned away and pressed his hands to his face.

Nicholas let them grieve.

Let them process.

Let them break.

***

After several minutes, Nicholas spoke again.

"I need to talk to the Betas," Nicholas said. "And Agnes. I need to make sure everyone understands what’s happening. What needs to be done."

"Now?" Sebastian asked.

"Yes," Nicholas said. "I don’t have time to waste. Tomorrow night comes whether we’re ready or not."

He walked to the door.

Paused.

Looked back at his brothers one more time.

"You’re going to be okay," Nicholas said. "Both of you. It’s going to hurt. It’s going to be hard. But you’re going to survive this. You’re going to thrive. And you’re going to make me proud."

Then he left before he could see them break again.

***

Nicholas found the three Betas waiting in the hallway outside his office.

Callum. Eli. Finn.

All three of them stood at attention when they saw him.

"Alpha," Callum said.

"Walk with me," Nicholas said.

They fell into step beside him as he walked through the estate corridors.

"You know what’s happening," Nicholas said. It was not a question.

"We heard," Callum confirmed.

"And?" Nicholas asked.

"And we think you’re insane," Finn said bluntly. "But we understand why you’re doing it."

"Do you?" Nicholas asked.

"You love her," Eli said quietly. "More than you love yourself. More than you fear death. That kind of love.....it’s rare. Worth dying for."

Nicholas felt something loosen in his chest.

The Betas understood.

That made it easier somehow.

"Sebastian is taking over as Alpha Prime," Nicholas said. "I need you three to support him. Guide him. Be the counsel he needs while he learns to lead alone."

"We will," Callum said immediately.

"He’s going to make mistakes," Nicholas continued. "Especially in the first few months. Don’t let the pack lose faith in him. Don’t let challenges to his authority gain traction. Stand beside him. Make it clear that anyone who questions Sebastian’s right to lead will answer to all three of you."

"Understood," Finn said.

"Lucian is his enforcer," Nicholas added. "But Lucian is..." He stopped. "Lucian is going to be grieving hard. He’s going to be volatile. Angry. Possibly violent. I need you three to channel that. Give him productive outlets. Threats to handle. Problems to solve. Keep him functional."

"We’ll take care of him," Eli promised.

They walked in silence for a moment.

Then Callum spoke. "It’s been an honor serving under you, Nicholas. You’ve been a good Alpha Prime. A good leader. The pack has thrived under your guidance."

"The pack will thrive under Sebastian too," Nicholas said. "He’s better than me in ways that matter."

"Maybe," Callum said. "But you set the foundation. Everything Sebastian builds will be because you taught him how to lead."

Nicholas felt his throat tighten.

They reached the main staircase and Nicholas stopped.

"There’s one more thing," Nicholas said. "When Lilith comes back, watch over her. All three of you. She’s going to be vulnerable. Confused. Possibly unstable depending on how resurrection affects her. Protect her the way you would protect any member of this pack. Make sure she knows she belongs here."

"We will," Callum said.

Nicholas looked at each of them.

Callum, steady and reliable, the Beta who had served beside Nicholas for fifteen years.

Eli, quick and clever, the one who handled pack intelligence and information.

Finn, fierce and loyal, the one who trained warriors and kept the pack strong.

All three of them had been more than Betas. They had been friends. Brothers in every way that mattered except blood.

"Thank you," Nicholas said quietly. "For everything. For your service. For your loyalty. For being exactly what the pack needed."

"It’s been our privilege," Callum said.