Rayne awoke to the sound of a man clearing his throat. Beartooth. She blinked awake. "Did you pick out names for the two boys?" he asked her. Rayne dipped her face in a nod. Yes, Arvin and Radke. She tried to listen as Beartooth began speaking again. "Rayne . . . You've been in here a while. I haven't seen you leave. You haven't eaten either, have you? You need to eat to have children . . . To have them survive. If you can't find the motivation to bring yourself to, then . . . Then I pardon you, and I must insist on the neutral term of you leaving the kingdom forever. If you do so, I keep the boys - They will be safe, I promise you. They can wean off of Larentia with my daughters, but you must get better. If not for yourself, then for them." Rayne knew he was right. 

I . . . I have been eating, and drinking. Just a little bit, but enough to keep me going, she admitted. The thought of leaving her sons was too much pain to bear. Rayne knew that she'd have to stay, to raise her children. 

"You cannot blame this on Bastian either, as much as I want his head. Your own mental health is only held accountable by you. From what you told me alone, he was just a fling or a friend you got too attached to - He didn't reciprocate the same feelings you had for him. It's life, it happens. But you cannot kill yourself simply over one man. As of right now, I see a shell of a woman that's begging to be set free. So that is what I'm willing to do. You need to think of what is best for yourself, and for the children. If you do not eat, you cannot nurse, if you cannot nurse, they cannot eat. They'll die. I cannot have that." Rayne shivered beneath Beartooth's cold gaze. She struggled with words. I . . . I can't leave them. I can't lose anyone else, she whispered. I-I'll try my best. I just acclimate so badly. . . . She hoped he'd understand, and know that she wasn't trying to make excuses for herself. Wait-where's-there was another one! Rayne tried to stumble to her feet, but thought better of it as the pups were nursing.