Chapter 85. Goodbyes

We let Jacob and Katie spend some time together. Jacob told her all about the guys saving everyone. He told her about the new house they were staying in and how everyone was friendly. It almost broke my heart when he told her they wouldn't be cold anymore that they could have a blanket. I learned about what had happened and how they had found the kids. Julie checked on Katie one more time and saw that everything was healed, and she was free to go to the house with the other kids. It took Jacob a few minutes to get her to agree to teleport with Chase. Before she was getting ready to leave, she thanked Julie for helping her. When Julie explained that I had healed her, she ran up and hugged me around my waist tight. She did not have to say anything. I felt the tear as it left my eye.

"You will be ok now, honey," I told her, and she smiled at me as she walked back to Chase and Jacob to go to her new home.

"We will have to try and find the kid's homes and how they ended up there," I said, looking to Luca and Levi.

"We will get on it as soon as we can," Levi says, smiling at me. We all three make our way out of the hospital.

One of the warriors motioned to Levi when we had made it outside, and we made our way over to him.

"We need to set up the funeral pyres for tonight. Do you want them in the back?" He asked as he bowed his head. I could see the look of pain on my mate's face. About that time, Chase popped back up just behind us. He didn't say anything and waited on us to finish our conversation.

"I think we should have them on the training grounds. It is large enough to hold the pyres and the pack." I say and look at Luca and Levi to see if they agree.

"I think that will be best," Luca says, and Levi nods, giving his approval.

"We will help you set up." Levi and Luca say simultaneously as they both head to the training grounds with the warrior.

"I need to get some things. Would you like to go with me?" I ask Chase as I turn to him.

"I would be happy to help in any way I can." He says as I start to walk toward the house.

"We could teleport if you want?" Chase says.

"I would rather walk," I tell him as I smile and walk past the house. We walk in silence for a little while as I look at some of the damage done to the yard and path with all the chaos that happened.

"I am sorry for all the trouble and pain my... Barrett has caused." Chase says, breaking the silence.

"It is not your fault. He was his own person, and he chose the path he did on his own." I tell him, hoping he can see that I do not blame him.

"I wish I could have stopped him sooner. Not only would that have saved you all from this, but I would also have had you in my life earlier." He says, giving me that smile that melts me a little.

"Maybe," Is the only reply that I can come up with. So we continue to walk in silence until we reach the flower shop not far from the packhouse. I push the door open and see Christy trying to fix something behind the counter. When she hears the door, she looks up. She smiles at me, but it doesn't reach her eyes.

"Hey, Raine, sorry I am trying to get things fixed. Several of the families that lost people have already come by, and Flo mind linked me and asked me to get some arrangements made."

"That's fine. I know it is a lot and you will do great. Your flowers are always so beautiful." I tell her to try and ease her mind. Her flowers are stunning.

"What if we give you a hand? Would that help?" Chase says, and Christy and I both stare at him in shock for a minute. Is this huge gorgeous man offering to help with flowers?

"I couldn't possibly ask you to do that."

"You are not asking. We are offering. Right Raine?" He says, looking at me to see if I agree. I shake myself out of the daze.

"Yes, We would love to help," I say, making my way around the counter to help.

We helped with as much of the flower arrangements as we could. It took several hours. Then we teleported to the house. I am now in my room. I have put on a dress and pulled my hair up into a bun. I am sitting on the end of my bed and dreading getting up. When we get there and see his body, this will be real. I hear a soft knock on my door, and I pull myself together with the best I can and go to answer it. When I pull it open, everyone is standing outside my door. Luca, Levi, Mom, and Mia.

"We wanted to all walk down together," Mom says, and I go out, taking her hand and Mias. Luca and Levi fall in behind us as we make our way downstairs. When we reach the bottom, I see Chase. He is in a black suit, just like Luca and Levi. He bows slightly to us, and I give him the best smile I can. I know it is not a genuine smile who can provide a natural smile when there is something like this going on. Finally, we make it out back and head for the training grounds. The whole pack is already here. There are tears from those who have lost a loved one and tears for losing a distinguished Alpha.

We all walk to the front of the pack. They have done a great job of setting everything up. Every pyre has a bed of flowers on it. There are flowers placed around and between the pyres on the ground. Lights are flickering above the pyres, but I am unsure where it is coming from. I look over, and Chase gives me an acknowledgment that they are of his doing. Mom goes to walk forward, so I release her hand. When I do, she turns and takes Levi and Luca's hands, and they step forward together. I take Mia under my arm and pull her next to me. Chase then steps over and puts his hand on my shoulder to give me support as I support Mia.

"Thank you all for coming.... I know there is nothing I can say to lessen the loss that we are all feeling. We have lost sons and daughters, mothers and fathers...." She says as she pauses to look at Luca, Levi, and Mia. " We have lost Mates.... on top of that loss, we have lost one of the best Alphas that I have ever known. But, of course, that is not me being biased" She laughs a little, and so does everyone else before she continues. "We will feel the loss for a long time, not only for our Alpha but also our loved ones. We are lucky to have two great Alphas to stand up and take over this pack. They will lead us and protect us. They will guide us with all the strength and passion their father did. May the Goddess bless them and protect them. Now let's give our loved ones to the Goddess until we are with them again." When she is done, the close family members step up and take a lit torch from the warriors. Mom reaches a hand out to Mia, who walks to join her. I stand there with Chase, but I notice Luca and Levi leave and walk to me.

"Your place is with us," Levi says as they take my hand, and I follow them to the pyre. We hold hands as mom reaches down and places the flame at the base. The wood ignites, and we all go back to our place and watch. I grip Levi and Luca's hands tighter as the sorrow floods through me. I feel Chase place his hands on my shoulders. I hear gasps from all around me. I look forward above the flames to the smoke that is rising. I can see the Goddess in the smoke smiling at us. I feel her love and reassurance wrapping around us like a blanket. What stunned us all was Bastien, and the others appeared beside her, smiling at us. I found peace in seeing them with the Goddess. They all slowly faded away as the flames got higher and hotter. Then there was a loud noise. I had never heard anything like it before. We all took a defensive stance, trying to find where the noise was coming from. It sounded like it was above us. I searched the sky and almost lost my footing when I saw it.

"Is that a fucking dragon?"