Chapter 39. Family Tree

Giovanna rode even faster back to the temple. She needed the solitude. For some years now, she had considered solitude her best and only friend. She entered the temple and went straight to the wing she had prepared to receive the sick and their families. She lay down on one of the twenty-seven empty beds and crossed her arms behind her head. Loneliness settled inside her, bringing a feeling of emptiness, ice and darkness and for Giovanna, it was like being hugged. She had always been sure that wounded pride was the only reason he hadn't gone after her, but that day she discovered that he had a much more reasonable reason. He loved his wife. She had no illusions that this love was any greater or similar to what she felt for Giovanna, but Samah gave him what she didn't. Children. Children.

Giovanna focused on Calleb's children. Three girls and seven boys. All werewolves. They weren't like Calleb and Hovar or herself, but neither were the other three who were