Author's Note: This chapter contains Major Character Death

Chapter 15:

I woke up early to a kiss. I purred, snuggling up to the turian. He chuckled.

"I didn't want our parting to be short, while I was trying to leave." A soft murmur.

"I can think of ways to make the parting better." I felt him shift, pulling away from me, and I snapped my eyes open, ready to tell him off.

Only to find him moving to hover over me. He'd picked up what I was laying down and wanted it just as much as I did. All three of us wanted it, judging from how Thane's hands began roaming my body under the covers.

...

I gave him one last kiss before he walked through the door, already missing him. But I kept my emotions in check, not letting them bleed through the link. I didn't want to make him feel guilty or anything because he was leaving.

After breakfast, I went to my computer, going about filling the right forms to legalize our union. It wasn't unheard of, for wolves to keep more than one mate, but it was extremely rare- the most notable being from our bloodline. We tended to be territorial, after all. So, thankfully, there were procedures for it. And since we were recognized by the Council as having our own race and religion, we were able to get away with having multiple bondmates.

"Aaaand. Done." I said, submitting the last form.

"With what?" Thane asked from the couch.

I got up and went to sit with him. "There are papers that need to be filled out, for matings to be recognized. And there are even more for when there are multiple mates for one person."

"Is it common?"

"Outside of my bloodline, like Garrus explained? Not really. Werewolves are extremely territorial. It doesn't mix well with keeping more than one lover. Every once in a while, a wolf will mate with a human, then decide they want another human as a mate, but don't want to part with the first. So, as long as they can prove their love, they are granted with a polyamorous... license, for lack of a better word. It's like a marriage license, but for having more than one lover." I explained. "And, for me, my bloodline is known for this, so we don't have to prove love, because it's a given. What being fated mates and all."

He nodded, thinking it over. "I'm glad you won't have to fight against rules for us."

I reached over and booped his nose. "Me, too. But it would be worth it."

A slow blink, confused by my action.

"It's a sign of affection." I chuckled, amused by his expression.

...

The next few weeks flew by and, before I knew it, a new semester was upon me. My days were filled with classes and spending time with Thane. When he was unavailable, Sasha took up the space he left behind. We'd gotten to be really good friends- we liked the same foods, the same movies, the same shows. The same books. She'd jumped at the chance to watch an old show like Midsomer Murder, and I restarted from the beginning for her. Not that I minded. I loved rewatching it.

One day, five months later- two weeks after the Citadel battle with Saren, Garrus helping Shepard weed out geth across the galaxy- I was just finishing up class, when Sasha got a ping on her omni-tool. Immediately, she was on alert.

"The others say they spotted someone acting strangely outside the apartment." She informed me.

My heart fell to my stomach.

Thanks to Thane's input, we'd fixed all the issues in the apartment over the last few weeks, so I would be safe in here. But... It was still worrying.

"Stay here." She ordered. "Don't let anyone in, except for your mates."

I nodded, holding my breath, and she walked through the door, leaving me alone. Thane was out on a job. Garrus wouldn't be back for another three weeks, from the sounds of it. I was truly on my own in this moment.

A noise reached my ears, and I froze. Snap out of it! I shouted at myself. I wasn't some defenseless she-wolf! I was Andromeda Quinn!

While I was focused on the sound, slowly moving toward it, something pricked my arm. I looked down, confused, before realizing it was a small, needle-like object. A wave of pain washed over me, a drowsiness settling deep in my bones. I would have collapsed, had arms not wrapped around my middle, keeping me up.

"See? That wasn't so hard." A male voice said from behind me.

Another sounded from in front as a man walked into the living room from my bedroom. "Yeah, yeah. Let's hurry this up."

Meda...

I know...

A surge of strength ran through me, Genesis lending me hers, and I jerked free of the male holding me. They were both surprised by my actions, both of them lunging to recapture me. I darted toward the door, trying to reach Sasha mentally but getting no response.

Something slammed into my shoulder, a kaleidoscope of pain shattering me. I collapsed, with no one catching me this time. I felt tethers pull taut, before snapping altogether. My body went limp, and my eyes closed.

Garrus

I was just stepping from the shuttle, one foot on the Normandy, when the air was punched from my lungs. My whole body started shaking, and I stumbled to my knees, unable to catch my breath.

I felt like I was...

Andromeda. She was dying. I don't know how I knew, but I did. Before I could do anything, I felt our connection snap. Breaking. Tearing into little pieces.

She was gone. She was gone. She was gone.

Thane

I was walking down the street that led to Andromeda's apartment, when Sasha came into my eyeline. I frowned. She should be with Meda. What was she doing out here, without her?

"Sasha." I called out, getting her attention.

She gave me a nod, eyes scanning the area behind me. "You wouldn't happen to have seen anyone suspicious on your way here, would you?"

"No."

"Ah, damn. I got a message from the others- who I cannot find now, the fuckers- that they'd seen someone acting strangely walking around in front of the apartment. I came out to check-"

"You left her alone?" I was instantly on edge.

"Yeah." A slow nod.

"We-"

I was cut off by a wave of pain so strong, I fell to my knees. I felt something breaking inside me.

"Andromeda." I choked out, and I heard the she-wolf sprinting away from me.

The bond snapped, shattering into pieces.

She was gone. I'd just found her, and she was gone. I punched the floor, knowing Sasha would be too late. It didn't matter how fast anyone ran to get to her- she was gone.

"Thane!" Sasha shouted- I wasn't sure how long- later. "She's gone."

"I know." I murmured.

"No, she's gone. She's not in the apartment. There's just a pool of... blood."

I shook my head, slowly looking up at her. "They took her body?"

"Her..." Her eyes went glassy. "She's dead?" A whisper.

A weak nod from me was the confirmation she dreaded. She covered her mouth, her eyes welling with tears.

"I... I have to make a few calls." She finally said after pulling herself together. "You should... You should call Garrus. He'll be in the same state as you."

She helped me into the apartment, sitting me on the couch. I held my head in my hands, despondent. After a while, I made the call.

Garrus was well and truly in the same state as me. We spoke quietly, the conversation strained. He wasn't upset with me for not being here, and I wasn't upset with him for being away. That was something we agreed on. It wasn't the other's fault. That didn't mean we didn't blame ourselves, however. And it was painfully clear we both did.

I asked what he was going to do now, and he told me he would go to Omega. She'd wanted to go but hadn't gotten the chance. Maybe he would find something there. He asked what I was going to do now, and I told him I would take more jobs. Fill my time, so I would not be able to dwell on her loss.

With a promise to keep in touch, the call ended. And I was alone again.