“Yes,” I reply. “I’m coming.”
Giles walks ahead of me, looking back over his shoulder with some concern. I want to say something to him, but I can’t find a single word of encouragement in my head.
He’s probably freaking out that he saw me freaking out. If the alpha can’t keep it together, what hope does the rest of the pack have?
I shove that question away, keeping my mind blank as I approach the small crowd of people gathered under the trees. Full night has fallen, and only pale starlight illuminates the scene.
My eyes are nowhere near as keen as they used to be, but I can make out the dark graves on the ground and the bodies laid beside them, wrapped in white sheets. I let my eyes linger on the scene, burning it into my mind.
I will not forget any of you—not a single one. Everything I do, I do for you.
As each person is lowered into the grave, their family steps up to say a few words. Most of them are unwell, barely able to support themselves as they struggle to say goodbye.
When it comes to Liza’s turn, everyone present falls into a deep silence. We watch her body being lowered into the earth, and people weep openly. Every moment that passes feels like a saw cutting into my chest, and I wish with every fiber of my being that I could howl my pain into the sky.
I will fix this, I swear. I will do whatever it takes to break this curse!
The night seems to sigh, a breath of wind teasing around my head as something within the shadows shifts. A strange prickly sensation runs up my spine, making me feel like I’m being watched.
The other wolves don’t seem to notice anything as they continue the funeral rite. I put my attention back on the matter at hand and stand before the pack to say my own farewells toLiza and the others. After we’re done, the machines come in to fill the graves. I watch as the others slowly head back towards the infirmary.
“Alpha?” Giles asks, making me jump.
“Yes?”
“What will you do now?”
“I’m going to meet with the other alphas,” I reply. “I need to understand more about how they healed their packs.”
Giles nods. “Not a bad idea. I’ll keep you updated.”
I wave as he walks away, looking back at the graves one last time. Before my emotions can overwhelm me, I turn and head back to my car, texting the others on the way.
***
I meet Rhys and Owen at one of the small bars outside of town. Both of them arrive before me. When I sit down, they don’t say anything, and when I look up, both of them are staring at me with wide eyes.
“What?” I ask. “You look like you’ve just seen a zombie sit down in front of you.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Rhys says. “But that is exactly what you look like.”
“Thanks,” I grunt, resting my head in my hands.
“Seriously,” Owen says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“No,” I whisper, shaking my head. “Not at all. What happened at the manor this morning?”
Rhys sighs. “The elders can’t leave the manor. By the time they reached the front drive, all of them had severe headaches and nausea. It was an aspect of the spell that they didn’t even really notice that they couldn’t leave. Now that they do know, they’re getting sicker.”
“But your meeting,” I say, looking up at them. “Did all of you decide what will be done if the elders themselves die?”
“A chain of command was decided upon,” Owen says. “But it’s not going to matter. All our packs will fall apart before the elders die. The curse is connected to the manor, and the elders represent our ancient laws. Sadie says that’s why they’re stuck there. It’s a punishment.”
“Isn’t all of this a punishment?” I mutter.
“Yes,” Rhys says. “But it’s meant for Darian. If only he were still around. We could make sure he took the heat off us.”
“What did happen to Darian?” I ask. “We know Lynette was locked up in the manor and probably died there, but what about our wolf king?”
