CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY
Silvana's Point Of View

It's been a week since the news of Alpha Zephyr's death. It spread around the realm like a wildfire, the shock rippling through all the clans. I could sense the sadness in the air, it was like a pervasive gloom that clung to everything like a shroud. 

His death wasn't just a rude shock, but also like a physical slap to us all, leaving us stunned, disoriented and lost. 

We had lost many rulers, Kings, Alphas and warriors. But something about Zephyr's demise was different.... His death made the world feel a little dimmer, a little colder.

A sigh left my lips as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my shoulders slumping at the sight in front of me. The traditional werewolf mourning attire felt heavy on my body. I had expected to visit the Moonwhite pack again just to have fun, not to attend any funeral, especially not Zephyr's.

"Luna, it's time." I heard Clara call out softly, I turned to face her, her face was solemn, her usually bright eyes were shadowed with sadness. Of course...his death hurt everyone.

"I'm ready." I nodded, forcing a small smile. I should be strong, for Garrick, for Zephyr and everyone else. Grieving won't bring him back no matter how long I cried.

We left the room and descended down the grand staircase. Just as I stepped down, Clara excused herself, wanting to prepare other stuff before we all left. As I walked towards the entrance, I saw Garrick standing in the hallway below, his back turned to me.

"Garrick?" I called out softly making him turn to face me with a small smile.Immediately I rushed to his side, wrapping my arms around him, seeking the comfort of his presence. He seemed to ease up at my touch, then tension in his shoulders lessened slightly.

"Let's go."

"Hmhm." I nodded, pressing my cheek against him once more.

We both walked outside the palace, headed towards the waiting Limo. The burial was being held at a sacred place, a bit far away from Zephyr's pack territory. We could have gotten ready from Garrick's pack, but he insisted he stayed the night at Zephyr's pack before the burial.

Last night, he could barely sleep and just kept on tossing despite my arms being wrapped around him.

The moment we got outside the palace, the sight that I met took my breath away. Members and villagers of the Whitewolves pack stood lining the streets, I could barely see the end of the crowd, they were all dressed in white attire. They stood silent, all their heads bowed low as they faced the palace.

"They are paying their last respect to Zephyr," I heard Garrick explain beside me, his voice flat, devoid of emotion.

"Zephyr was really loved, Garrick," I turned to look at him with a soft smile.

"And he was a lover too," he murmured under his breath, his words barely audible, but loud enough for me to hear.

I gently squeezed his hand. "He's in a better place."

"I know." Was all he said, his gaze still fixed on the distance. After a minute, we both got into the Limo, the heavy doors closing behind us with a soft thud.

The drive was smooth, the landscape was a blur of green and brown. I was still holding Garrick's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze from time to time, a silent reassurance. Throughout the ride, he was looking out the window.

I could tell he was hurting badly, but he wouldn't say so, nor would he admit it to anyone or himself. I knew why he was doing so, he wasn't just an Alpha, he was also a protector, shouldering the weight of his responsibilities all alone on his shoulders. It was his nature to bear the burden alone and act like it's okay.

But I won't let him, not anymore. I would be there for him, every step of the way.

When we finally arrived at the burial site, I got down from the limo and thanked the driver, the crunch of the gravel beneath my feet breaking the silence. I heard soft footsteps approaching, I turned to see Clara walking towards me. She had followed us using his other car, along with his beta, Lachlan.

Suddenly, I felt a nudge on my arm, I turned to see Garrick standing beside me. He held out his hand which I took immediately.

"So, this is the place?"

"Yes,"

"It looks so....ancient," I said, my eyes narrowing all over the place. The site was a clearing nestled deep within an accident forest, a place of quiet serenity.  Towering trees formed a natural cathedral, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. A large, circular stone altar stood in the center of the clearing, adorned with flowers and herbs. Statutes of the most respected Alphas were placed in strategic places all over the site.

It's even better than what I had imagined from reading books.

"Can we-" I was interrupted when I heard a deep voice behind me. A voice that sent a shiver down my spine.

Who's that?

"Alpha Garrick," We all turned to see a middle aged man with silver hair that was intricately braided, each braid adorned with small, polished stones. His face was weathered and stern, etched with lines.... But what drew my attention more was the scar on his face....a jagged line that ran from his left eye to his cheek. His eyes were a cold piercing blue that held a challenging glint. The aura around him was suffocating, filled with raw power and barely suppressed aggression.

Wait....from his looks....is that....

"It's been long,"the man said, his voice smooth, but underneath it was a veiled threat.

Garrick who stood behind me, tensed up, I titled my head up to look at him. His nose was flared, his eyes narrowed at the man as he kept walking forward.

"Eryk." Garrick said, his voice a low growl as his hand tightened around mine.

Eyrk? That's him?

I stared in shock at the man in front of me, trying to reconcile the stories I'd heard with the flesh and blood individual standing before me. He looked way worse than the stories said.

His eyes then trailed to me, lingering for a moment, making me feel so small and intimidated. "Yoy must be Luna Morgana," he said, offering a polite, almost mocking bow. "It's an honor to meet you,"

"I really can't say the same," I retorted, my voice sharper than intended. I refuse to play nice with someone who clearly harbored ill intentions.

He stifled a laugh and shook his head. "You read your books well, however if you really did, you'll understand that such tone could get you into trouble,"

My breath hitched at his words, I turned my gaze to the floor. Garrixk still hadn't said anything, but I could feel the tension crowing.

"Alpha Garrick," I heard Eryk say, his voice filled with amusement. "What's with the hard face? Not happy to see an old friend?"

"We aren't friends, Eryk," Garrick replied. I was shocked at how calm his tone was. I could feel his rage, yet he wasn't letting it bubble to the surface.
"Right," I heard Eryk chuckle. "You preferred Zephyr more,"His words hung in the air, a pointed barb designed to provoke.

I could feel the tension growing by the second, I looked up at Garrick to see his brows furrowed, his jaw tight, and his eyes blazing with contained fury. He looked extremely pissed and hell, I wouldn't blame. Eryk was deliberately pushing his buttons.

"Yes, I did," Garrick said, his eyes still blazing with fury. "He wasn't a wild animal, he was righteous,"

Eryk shrugged. "Well, and what did that get him? Death."

Garrick's grip on my hand tightened, making me yelp out in pain. "Say that again." He growled.