Terek had a very serious look to him as he chewed his fist. His face was swallowed by his large, dark eyes.

“He’s beautiful, Mari. I know you’re proud of him.” Tears swelled in her eyes as she looked down at Cezar and then at all the other babies in the room. Especially Lillya.

For the first time, she understood Thia’s pain. Why it was so hard to be with them. This… this was what life should be like. A family that would defend and protect. Mothers and fathers who would trudge through hell itself to shield their children from any enemy.

She’d never once known that. Thia had been practically grown before she’d found it.

And Kalea…

She was out there alone. With no one to hold her and love her. No one to protect her from harm.

Her sobs burst as she thought about her daughter in the hands of people who couldn’t care less about her. People who wouldn’t hesitate to hurt her any way they could.

She handed Cezar back to his mother before she ran from the room, seeking refuge from the pain lacerating her heart. This was all she’d ever wanted in her life.

Safety. Love. A place to raise her daughter with people who cherished her as much as Sumi did.

Suddenly, she felt Dancer behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight while she expelled all the misery she kept bottled up.

Zarya looked around, baffled by what had just happened. “Did I say or do something wrong?”

Syn shook his head sadly. “Sumi has a daughter in League custody that we’re trying to find and save.”

Maris winced as he tightened his grip on Terek. “I didn’t even think about that.”

Syn clapped him on the back. “None of us did. We’re proud of our babies and wanted to show them off.”

“Yeah, but if we couldn’t be with them…” Zarya choked on a sob of her own. “I didn’t mean to hurt her. I’m so sorry.”

Syn swept his gaze around every person there. Countless times, they’d gone to war with a single goal. Seldom had they been as united as they were when it came to their families. “We will get that baby back.”

Maris nodded. “Saf still has contacts. It’s time to call in every favor we can.”

“We already have,” Syn said with a dismal sigh, “but we haven’t found out anything yet.”

Maris snorted. “You have contacts, yes. But it’s time to show off the reach that my birth family has.”

Hauk held Sumi close until she finally drew a ragged breath.

“I’m so sorry I embarrassed you.”