Chapter 57

**GUINEVERE**

------------------------

Today was the day of the funerals, the day that would mark the end of our old lives and the beginning of our new lives. The day we would lay our dead to rest, the many men and woman who'd given their all during the war against Jupiter. It would be a day full of tears but also a night full of laughter. We would reminisce about our time with our loved ones and rejoice in the future we now had before us, thanks to their ultimate sacrifice. Their deaths wouldn't be in vain, our pack would continue to grow, and we would cherish every moment of our future.

"Are you almost ready, my luna?" Damien asks, encircling his arms around my waist.

We'd been so busy this last week that I hadn't had a chance to talk to him about the loss of Sabrina, but after Vladimir opened up last night about his mate, Myra, I felt like Damien, and I needed to open up to each other as well.

"Damien, before I can go out there and lead the pack in remembrance and also help them start their new beginnings, there's something I need to close with us first," I reply, turning in my mate's arms so I can look up at him.

"What's wrong?" Damien asks, his voice and expression laced with confusion and worry.

"I'm not the same woman you took as your luna. I've lost my wolf. I lost Sabrina, Leo's mate, and it was entirely my fault." I state, my eyes filled with unshed tears as my lips begin to tremble, "I told her to leave my body. I told her that two targets would be harder for Jupiter to take down. If..." I gasp loudly as the tears weighing on my chest for the week begin to flow as I finally mourn the loss of my wolf, "If I hadn't come up with that plan, Sabrina would still be here."

Damien pulls me tighter into his arms and rests his lips on my head as I let the tears flow freely through me; when I finally begin to catch my breath again and my body stops shaking, Damien pulls away, but to my surprise, it isn't his eyes that greet me. It's Leo's.

"My mate may be gone, Guinevere, but I still have you. Sabrina was everything I could have hoped for and more, but she was brought back to this earth for one reason, and that sole purpose was to defeat Jupiter. Without her sacrifice, we may never have one the war. Without your quick thinking, Jupiter could have overpowered you while you were united as one. Gwynn," Leo states, pulling my chin up so I'm looking directly into his eyes, "You didn't kill Sabrina. That was Jupiter. And my mate, Sabrina, will be waiting for my arrival on the moon. We are fated mates; even in death, we will still be together. She is still as much a part of me as she is a part of you."

I stare up into Leo's beautiful golden orbs, unsure what to say. He's given me freedom from my guilt, and I don't know how to thank him, but Leo isn't expecting anything from me. Instead, he lowers his lips onto mine and kisses me, easing even more of my pain away. When our lips finally part, Damien has control once more.

"Gwynn, I didn't choose you as my Luna because your wolf was special; I made you mine because you were special to me. I love you, Gwynn. Special wolf, a powerful succubus, priestess to the moon goddess aside, I love you for your soul, heart, and strength, and nothing will change that."

"I love you too, Damien Valencia," I whisper, bringing my lips to his once more, pouring all my love into that one gentle kiss.

"We should head over to the pyre before I show you just how much I love you, Guinevere Valencia," Damien replies as we separate, his voice hoarse.

****************************************

We buried five hundred of our own. Five hundred wolves and vampires gave their lives to protect our species. Five hundred loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice. The funeral was beautiful. We made time for anyone who wanted to speak on behalf of their loved ones as we remembered those we lost, and just before the moon reached its highest peak, a rain storm blew in, cleansing the ground, and our pack, the fire from the pyre continued to rage on strong, just like the solar moon pack would.

********************************************************************

Vladimir, it's been ten years since the war. Don't you think it's time you left and found Myra?" I ask my best friend as I waddle across my patio, watching my son Henry and my husband toss a ball to each other across the yard.

"What if she doesn't want to be found?" Vladimir asks the same worried look every time I mention Myra crossing his face.

"You won't know unless you look," I reply, glaring as I ease myself into the oversized wicker seat facing the lawn, groaning as I do so, my hand gently atop my ever-growing bump.

"But I'll miss the births of Sabrina and Sierra," Vladimir states, looking at my stomach affectionately.

Damien and I discovered we were pregnant with twin girls shortly after Henry's ninth birthday and had instantly decided to name them after my spirits, who'd given their all during the war. I was almost living the vision I'd seen the day of the pack merger, except I was having twin girls, and Vladimir was still lonely.

"Vladimir." I stated firmly, staring at my friend, deciding to give him some tough love instead of coddling him like I'd done the past ten years, "Even if Myra doesn't want to be found, it's your duty as King to find her and try to make your mate bond work. She is the key to ending the curse of your people. For the past ten years, I've watched the vampires in our pack be devastated over their infertility. I've watched mates hope and wish for a child of their own, only to learn that even with a wolf mate, they still cannot conceive. Vladimir, you're failing your people."

I watch as Vladimir glances down at his hands. He knows what he must do, but I can sense he's afraid he'll lose Myra again once he finds her.

"Gwynn, you don't understand. Myra hates me. She couldn't stand the fact that I was her mate. She cursed the moon goddess and was ready to reject me." Vladimir states as he glances up at me, his eyes laced with hurt.

"Then make her fall in love with you, Vlad. Show her the man that I know you are. You need to try." I reply, gripping his hand, hoping he can feel my confidence in him.

"Okay." He replies, taking a deep breath. "I'll find her. I'll do it for our pack."

"Not just the pack Vlad. Do it for yourself." I reply, "I want to see you smile again, Vladimir."

"Of course, Mi Amor, you're right. I deserve this too." He replies, leaning over and kissing me on the cheek, a low growl sounding off in front of us.

"Down, wolf boy." Vladimir chuckles, "It was just a goodbye kiss."

"Goodbye?" Damien asks, climbing the stairs to the porch, Henry having run off with some of his friends.

"Yes, it's time I went and found my mate," Vladimir states, clasping Damien's arms, in a quick hug, before pulling away and heading down the lawn.

"About time. Now maybe I can enjoy mine to myself." Damien jokes, causing Vladimir to chuckle as he walks off.

"Still jealous?" I ask as Damien pulls me from my seat and into his arms.

"Always, Mrs. Valencia, you know how I hate to share." He replies, nuzzling my neck.

"Well, be prepared to share with two more here in a few weeks." I state, causing Damien's hand to caress my pregnant belly.

"Only if you promise there'll still be room for me."

"For you, there'll always be room."

**THE END**

---------------------

**AUTHOR's NOTE**

----------------------------

***Be sure to follow my FB and IG @MCPERRYAUTHOR for more details on my newest novels. I am hoping to have the first few chapters of His Unexpected Temptation (Vladimir and Myra's story up, by next week, I'm in the process of editing them now. The new novel will be listed seperately.***