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Chapter 36 – Sign
The pain in my chest was crippling. While the pack members felt the breaking of the bond, those who were closest to my grandmother felt it with greater intensity.
When the pain subsided, I rushed my mate to the clinic so Doctor Kendra could check on the babies. I sat in the chair next to Eudora’s bed while Emilio and Naomi stood on the other side. The howls of Grandpa Crow’s wolf continued to ring out into the early morning as he mourned the loss of his best friend.
“Where’s Ambrose?” My mate asked her parents.
“He’s in the mortuary standing watch over Syble until she’s laid to rest.” Emilio explained.
“Is Mateo okay?” She asked.
“He’s fine, he’s recovering.” I assured her.
“Ares, we’re ready for you.” Poseidon linked me. They had moved Azazel’s remains to a pyre to ensure the evil in his unnatural blood died with him. But they didn’t want to use any fire, they wanted to use the fire of the Gods.
“Baby, get some sleep. I need to go tie up some loose ends and when I come back, Apollo needs to cuddle with you.” I kissed the top of her head and left while her parents remained rooted next to her.
The trenches I unearthed for the war were still open, though I had extinguished the fires. The vampires quickly worked to stack all the hunter bodies in the trenches for incineration.
“I never thought I would see the day.” Alpha Balthazar said from behind me and I turned to face him.
“See what?” I asked.
“A day when vampires would align with werewolves against a warlock to save the lycan species.”
“My father and grandfather have saved many vampires over the years, just as you saved Ambrose five hundred years ago. Every species seems to have its fair share of good guys and bad guys. How’s my sister?”
“She wanted some time alone with Grandma Dori, who’s not doing too well right now.”
Thoughts swirled around in my mind as I recalled the discovery of lycans having venom. I wondered if Lukas could possibly bite someone and turn them. Balthazar had offered to turn my grandmother into a lycan, but I wondered what would happen to Storm. A lycan’s beast is different from our wolves. Would he try to turn my sister once they were mated?
“Something on your mind, Alpha?” Balthazar asked.
“Your venom.” I replied honestly. “The legends never mention lycans could turn anyone.”
“That’s because the lycans of long ago believed if you turned another, it would shorten your lifespan. Also, for a werewolf, it could render the inner wolf silent as the feral dark side emerged.”
“No way you’re going to silence me!” Apollo grumbled.
“It could render a wolf silent?” I asked for clarification.
“I don’t know, I’ve never spent time with a lycan who was born a werewolf, so I’m not sure.”
“What about shortening your lifespan?”
“The average lycan lived four to five hundred years. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you have the opportunity to observe some of those myths. Those who were born human and werewolf lived as long as the lycan that turned them and no one’s lifespan seemed to be shortened.”
“What if Lukas accidentally bites someone?”
“He will not have venom until he reaches maturity. Lycans are considered fully mature at twenty-five years. It’s a little later than werewolves because the lifespan of a lycan is longer. Should Lukas choose to turn someone, he would still need to willingly release his venom into a vein.”
“So… he could—”
“Turn your mate? Yes.” Balthazar nodded.
While Eudora wore the ring of life, with the Tahitian black pearl, no one was certain how long it would extend her life. Even if the ring allowed her to outlive all of us, she could always remove it or worse, lose it. This gave us so much to think about and fortunately, we did not need to make a decision any time soon.
“I’d be willing, for my Dora.” Apollo whispered to me.
I started circling the pack house, lighting the trenches on fire as Balthazar walked beside me. My fire burned hot and the hunters quickly turned to ash. Azazel's shredded remains were carried out of the evacuation tunnel to the shoreline of the lake. We walked through the western woods that separated the pack house from the lake.
“Are you planning to turn my sister?” I asked as we walked through the tall pine trees.
“Only if she wanted to. She’s still a pup by lycan standards, so she’s got plenty of time to consider it. Though I’m sure if she was in a life or death situation, my beast wouldn’t hesitate. “
“The speed, agility, and durability of your beast is incredible.”
“Your offspring will be the same. Even better with elemental gifts. The Goddess has truly blessed your family.”
The pyre came into view as we stepped out of the trees and onto the small beach. The sky was shimmering with the break of day. Poseidon and Beta Simon stood with a few warriors as they waited for me. I looked over the remains and assessed the damage Lukas had done when his lycan had taken over. Towels had been used to mop up the sticky blood and added to the burn pile.
“If only he had died in the ship explosion.” Poseidon said, shaking his head.
“I suppose evil doesn’t die so easily.” Simon added.
“Judging by looks of his blood, I’m guessing his long life was the result of dark magic.” Balthazar assessed.
I nodded. “This should take care of it.” My eyes glowed with fire and I lit the whole thing up at once. In a matter of minutes, there was nothing left.
“Is there anything else I can do?” Balthazar asked.
“Just take care of my sister.” I shifted and took off for a run before I returned to my mate. Apollo needed to blow off some steam and was hurting over the loss of Storm. His legs pumped faster and faster as he ran through the forest, when he reached the southern border, he shifted directions and trekked east.
“It’s going to be okay. She’s with her mate.” I reminded him and he let out a low whine. I knew he was going to miss running with her, so was I. We reached a large hill to the east and stopped at the top to watch the sunrise. A new day would start in a world without my grandmother. The rising sun was a rich golden color and Apollo lifted his head to release a sorrowful howl.
We continued running for a little while longer and I reminded Apollo that our mate is waiting to cuddle with him. When we reached the clinic, Xena informed me Eudora wanted to check on Lukas and sleep in our bed. Apollo dashed from the clinic into the pack house and up the stairs. The warrior at the door held the door open and I stepped into our chamber. The curtains were drawn shut and a small fire burned in the fireplace. 
Eudora was sound asleep with Lukas in the crook of her arm. It was hard to believe our little boy had such a deadly beast inside. Apollo swelled with pride and hopped on the bed. We settled down beside her, breathing in her scent as we drifted to sleep.
Three days had passed since the war and while the pack was solemn everyone seemed to take comfort knowing Alpha Lukas was there to claim his mate in the realm of the moon. The pack house was buzzing as people arrived for her memorial service today. After which we would return with her to Greece and lay her to rest with my grandfather, Alpha Lukas LaRue Theodorus.
The pavilion had been set up, Ally worked with Mitza and Jarvis to help coordinate everything. I stood in the very back watching and waiting for my grandmother's casket to arrive and start the service. My mother was seated in the front row with my father, Pappoús, Yia-yia, Grandpa Crow, Grandma Dori, and Selene. The row on the other side of the aisle was reserved for her grandchildren, Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, me, and our mates.
Papa Diesel and Grammy Lucy sat directly behind Eudora as they took turns holding little Lukas. Great Aunt Payton and Uncle Max sat beside them, along with their daughter Clair and Beta Niko. Several others from the packs in Greece arrived as well, including Pappoús sister, Odessa and Alpha Hades, along with several of their children who loved Grandma Syble. 
Aunt Anabeth joined her siblings, Alpha Kyros, Alpha Damien, and her twin Alice, who loved my grandmother like a sister. Chris and Conner sat with Chase and Jeannette. Ambrose entered with an elder she-wolf I recognized as Lola, who helped Grandma after she escaped to New York.
Grandma Syble’s oldest friends, Angelo and Camille arrived with Seante and Cody. Angelo was Granpa Lukas’ best friend and Beta, but Grandma considered him a brother. He helped look after her when she moved to Greece to raise my mother after she lost her mate. Friends and family from around the world gathered and pack members crowded into the pavilion to say goodbye.
No one was sure if my mother would be able to play her cello, she had been overcome by grief, so Ally had arranged for one of the other pack members to play grandma’s favorite song on the harp. Zeus and Poseidon arrived with the limousine carrying my grandmother, which would take her to a waiting plane bound for Greece after.
The beautiful sounds of Hallelujah from the harp filled the air and my father joined us at the back of the limousine. With Zeus and Poseidon on one side, and my father and I on the other, we started the march down the long aisle. Pappoús stood up and met us in the aisle to take a place at the head of her casket. Moments later, Angelo took a spot at the foot and continued the slow march with us.
Grandpa Crow waited at the front with a large floral arrangement to lay on her casket. We took our seats and Grandpa Crow was the first to speak.
“A wise man once said new beginnings are often disguised as painful endings. As we gather today to say goodbye to our beloved Syble and Storm, their new beginning has just started.” He took a deep breath before he continued.
“Most of you know, the Moon Realm was created by my father and nearly ended with me when Mac was taken by poachers. With the grace of the Moon Goddess, Syble was our guardian angel. She saved Mac and Selene, she saved herself, and she saved the Moon Realm. I’ve always said she gave me a piece of my mate back when she saved Mac because she saved my wolf from going feral. Syble was the most loving and thoughtful person you could hope to meet. Just this morning, Ambrose gave me a package Syble had ordered from his art studio for my birthday next week. Because I’m a man who hates surprises with the self-control of a pup, I opened it.” Grandpa Crow paused a moment for the laughter to subside.
“It was a large, framed photo, entitled Mena’s Flowers, by a wonderful new artist.” He looked at Naomi. “Mena was my mate, and the flowers that bloom on the hills every year started when she passed away. Even now, Syble’s love continues to bring us comfort and joy. She was my best friend and kindred soul. While we will miss her presence with us in this realm, I know she’s looking over us from the other realm.”
We listened to others share stories about my grandmother, Angelo laughed so much he cried when he retold the story of how my grandmother clobbered her mate with a frying pan and broke all of Angelo’s fingers in a window. Niko shared stories of her with her horse, Domino, and the one time my mother snuck into the barn to paint Domino’s white spots pink using wall paint. Lola, Ambrose, Grandma Dori, and Selene also took turns sharing stories about my grandmother. Pappoús was the last to speak.
“Olympus Blood Moon was her home and a pack that loved her. When Cassi met Mac, the Moon Realm became her second home and a pack that she loved.” Pappoús inhaled deeply before he continued. “When we lost my youngest son, Syble and Cassi filled the hole, but Syble was never the same. If there’s one thing that we should all rejoice in, it’s that she is finally reunited with her other half, basking in the love and joy she deserves.”
My mother hugged Pappoús. “Thank you for loving her as you and Yia-yia did.” She choked back her sob. “Pappoús is right, she’s finally with my father watching over us. I want to end the memorial with a song. It was the first song my father ever played for my mother. I know they will both be listening, and dancing in that field of flowers under the stars in the realm of the moon.”
My mother took her seat behind the cello, and I realized it was her father’s old cello from grandma’s home in Greece. My mother closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths as the bow in her hand started gliding across the strings. The song was Perfect and was just perfect.
After the memorial, the limousine transported my grandmother to the regional airport to a waiting plane that would take her back to Greece. Pappoús and Yia, along with Aunt Anabeth, and the others, were flying back on the same plane. We planned to fly out later tonight for tomorrow’s service and burial at Olympus Blood Moon.
Dinner was served in the grand hall and Alpha Balthazar was probably wishing he had taken the flight back with Pappoús as the other family Alphas seemed eager to hear more about the lycan. Lukas had shifted in his wolf form and happily remained seated in Grammy Lucy’s lap. Papa Diesel seemed amused with the wolves seated behind him. Chip and Earl would not let Lukas out of their sight.
Hazel sat quietly, staring at Papa Diesel. I reached for Hazel’s hand and she gave it to me. I could sense her nervousness and excitement as she allowed me to guide her to my great-great-grandparents.
“Papa Diesel, this is Hazel, the one I told you about.” I moved her hand and placed it in Papa Diesel’s hand. “Hazel, this is Yia-yia’s father and mother. Papa Diesel is Uncle Ranger’s brother as I’m sure you can see the resemblance.” Hazel nodded her head and her eyes filled with tears looking at a near clone. Papa Diesel stood and gave Hazel a warm hug.
“Please, sit with us.” He motioned for her to sit, and she did. I could feel her wolf, Hera, in complete comfort and noticed Zeus making his way over.
“Where’s Cassiopeia?” Grammy Lucy asked.
“I think I know where. Excuse me.” I slipped out of the main hall and up the stairs to the highest tower.
“Mom?” I asked as I pushed the door open to the observatory.
The viewing dome was a glass bubble similar to the observatory at Crescent castle. My mother was gazing through the telescope. No doubt looking at her father’s star in the Cassiopeia constellation.
“See anything special?” I asked.
She sighed and walked to the edge of the view dome to look out over the northern mountains. “Just wondering why my mate, my mother, my son, and my daughter-in-law have all visited the realm of the moon to speak with my father and I haven’t.”
“I can always ask Stryker to sneak attack you, knock you out or give you a near death experience.” I joked.
“He wishes.” She rolled her eyes.
“Do you need to speak with him to know he’s with you?” I asked and she shook her head.
“Mom, every time someone sees him, the message is the same, he loves you, he’s so proud of you, and to keep playing for him. He’s always with you.” I pulled my mother into a hug.
“Why don’t I get the same signs?” She exhaled.
“If you need a sign, Cassiopeia, all you have to do is look at that!” I pointed towards the northern sky in the direction of the Cassiopeia constellation. My mother gave me a funny look at the use of her full name and turned to see what I was pointing at. She gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth in surprise.
A flurry of shooting stars streaked the night sky in a beautiful cosmic event that could only be sent from the heavens.