“Thanks to my niece Heaven, my cousin Alessandra, my son Ahren, and the five Westwood brothers, Jayce, Theo, Ares, Carter and Renji, who duelled against a god, and won, to bring Sienna home. Thank you. From a father, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It not only took great courage, strength, will and determination to attempt this mission, but also the selflessness to embark on a quest where no human has ventured before. I have seen the duel, and it is nothing less than epic.” Uncle Rayhan chuckles as he raises his glass of juice. “To the victors, the Westwood Alphas!”
Everyone who holds a glass raises it. “To the Westwood Alphas!” everyone says, as all attention turns on the brothers. Renji smiles, raising his glass in thanks, whilst the other three give a small nod.
“I owe all eight of you so much for bringing Sienna back, and for reuniting her with us all.” Uncle Rayhan pauses for a moment before he looks at Uncle Liam and Aunty Raven. “I want to thank my dear friends, Alpha Liam and his Luna, Raven, for the grace, understanding and love they have shown my family and me, despite the fact that their five sons were risking their lives for my daughter. Thank you.”
His eyes are filled with emotion as Uncle Liam smiles slightly and shakes his head. “It wasn’t much,” he says quietly. Uncle Rayhan walks off the dais effortlessly as he stops before Uncle Liam and Aunty Raven.
“No, Liam, it was. Not only that, but I also know how much you did when I was gone. I know how you always made sure to ring and check up on everyone. Delsanra told me how Raven called her and kept in touch despite having her own responsibilities. Not everyone does that. You are an admirablecouple, one that has nothing but kindness and love for those around them. I will forever be in your debt,” Uncle Rayhan says before he hugs Uncle Liam and then Aunty Raven, who smiles up at him.
He then makes his way back to the dais, taking Aunty Delsanra’s hand and leading her to the stage where Sienna stands.
“There is no prize in this world that can measure up to what you have done for my daughter,” Uncle Rayhan says, looking in the quints’ direction, “But the Rossis will forever be in your debt. Thank you.” He lowers his head to the quints, making my eyes widen.
That simple move is grand coming from an alpha, because an alpha bows to no one…
Everyone claps, and I smile softly despite feeling extremely emotional. I will not cry.
One deep breath in… inhale… exhale… there.
“Heaven, Alessandra.” Uncle’s voice makes both me and Allie turn to him. Allie lowers the glass she’s drinking from, raising an eyebrow questioningly. “Thank you. You three have always been inseparable, and may the Goddess always keep your bond strong. Thank you for bringing her home.”
Everyone claps before the sound dies down, and Uncle looks at Ahren.
“And Ahren, I’m proud of you. You did what a brother should do. You always take care of everyone around you, because the most important quality of an alpha is one who puts his pack above all else. His family, his friends, those whom he loves.These are the bonds that should always be honoured.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Ahren says, giving his dad a small smile.
Rayhan now looks at Sienna. “And I want to thank my daughter, my angel.” He places his arm around her as he smiles before looking out at the crowded room. “Because she’s the reason I stand here. Selflessly, she was willing to do anything to bring me back, not realising how much she’d be missed. She sacrificed everything so I could be here, giving up everything for me.”
I nod, exactly… Even if at the time it hurt that she didn’t share with us, she did it to bring back her father. Wouldn’t we all do that? Anyone who has lost a parent knows that we would give anything for one more ‘I love you’, one more embrace, one more smile…
“Thank you, Sienna,” Uncle says softly, cupping her face as he kisses her forehead. “May the Goddess bless you with every happiness you could hope for. But know, there’s no world a father would want to live in if their child is gone,” he whispers.
I see the shift from the couple not far in front of me, the way his hand tightens around hers as he pulls her into him, the subtle rubbing of her arm as he comforts her.
Everyone has their own pains…
I look down for a moment, imagining Dad beside me. I smile as I conjure up an illusion only I can see. He grins at me, winking before he puts an arm around me. An arm I cannot feel. I close my eyes, taking a slow, steady breath to regulate my emotions.
The pain in my chest stings, and it feels hard to breathefor a second. “Heaven?”
I open my eyes to see Uncle now looking at me. He holds out a hand and motions for me to come. I look at Allie before I walk forward, wishing I could leave. I don’t want anyone to see how I feel. He steps forward, as he did for Sienna, and holds his hand out to me, helping me onto the dais. He cups my face and kisses my forehead softly before he wraps his arms tightly around me.
“He would have been so proud of the woman you have become,” he whispers. I gasp, as my self-control shatters, and I’m unable to stop a few tears from trickling down my cheek as I cry silently, refusing to let a sound escape. Uncle doesn’t let go, as if shielding me from the eyes of those around us, and I clutch onto him tightly, remaining rigid despite the overwhelming emotions I feel.
When I’ve finally regained control, I swiftly whisper a spell, drying his shirt and step back. He smiles down at me. “I’m lucky to have two incredible and strong daughters.”
I smile. Uncle has always treated me like his own. He’s never discriminated, and I’ll always appreciate that. I look into the crowd, where I had been standing a few minutes ago, at the apparition I’ve created of Dad and smile softly, and he smiles back.
Maybe we won’t meet in heaven, but in my memories, you shall live on.
In aDifferent Light
Theo
“Heaven?”
I turn in the direction Uncle Rayhan’s looking, spotting those blond curls glittering when the light catches them. My eyes skim over her. She’s wearing a fancy figure-hugging gown that doesn’t hide any of her curves.
