CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Silvana Point Of View

Eryk let out a weary sigh as he rubbed his temples. "Garrick, you would never admit it, but we all know that Zephyr was weak to an extent," he said, his eyes narrowing at us. "You fail to understand how important his role was. He needed to be a warrior, a leader, but instead he decided to be goody two shoes, playing the peacemaker, raising orphans. And now look-"

I hadn't even realized Garrick had let go of my arm nor had I realized he had stormed toward Eryk, I gasped in horror when I saw Eryk gasping for air as Garrick wrapped his hand around his throat squeezing tightly. "If I find out that you're behind his death, even if it's just the fact you were aware, I'll kill you," Garrick snarled as his grip tightened. "This time, I won't just take an eyeball, it will be your fucking head."

Just as Eryk opened his mouth to speak, a throat clearing startled us. I turned to see Ravenna standing beside me. She was dressed in her own version of mourning attire, a dark flowing cloak that billowed around her. Her long, raven hair cascaded down her back, framing her beautiful face.

"You two should stop this madness!" She yelled, her voice echoing. Right before my very eyes she disappeared in a swirl of shadows and then reappeared in between Garrick and Eryk, causing Garrick to let go of Eryk. "This is a funeral, not just any funeral, but one for one of the most highly regarded and respected Alpha in our realm. Behave," she then faced Garrick. "For someone who raised you like a son, I expect you to act like it!" Her words were a command, not a request, her eyes were glinting with anger.

Garrick straightened his shoulders, trying to regain his composure while Eryk used his fingers to rake through his silver hair, a gesture that seemed more theatrical than genuine.

"Fuck this," Garrick said, his voice tight with barely controlled rage. He walked up the stairs and grabbed my arm, forcing me to keep up with his rushed strides as he walked into the palace.

"Garrick-"

"I'm not in the mood." he snapped without even glancing at me.

I let out a deep sigh and looked over my shoulder. Ravenna and Eryk were staring at us, both of their expressions unreadable, I had even forgotten Clara was still trailing behind me until my eyes met hers.

Upon entering the palace, the sight was breathtaking and somber. Everyone was dressed in white, a massive coffin, draped in a white veil, stood at the front of the ball, illuminated by flickering candlelights. A priestess began to chant in an ancient tongue, her voice echoing through the vast hall, while some other people dressed in strange ritualistic attire were running around the coffin, performing some kind of ceremony.

"Alpha Garrick, Luna Morgana." A cloaked man walked up to us, his face hidden in the shadows. He gestured toward an empty spot that was close to the front, a place of honor, clearly reserved for us.

Garrick nodded, his grip on my hand tightening, I looked back to see Clara standing behind us. As Garrick and I began to walk towards where we were directed, I turned back and noticed Clara just stood at the entrance.

"Clara?" I called out.

Why was she just standing there mute?

"She can't follow us upfront," Garrick explained in a low tone. "Only Alphas, Lunas and Betas are allowed in the inner circle. Let's go."

I nodded, reluctantly tearing my eyes away from Clara, following Garrick. We finally reached the designated spot, I stood next to him. To my side I saw Alpha Darken of the Stormknights, I had seen him once when I was a kid from far away, and even from far away he looked big. But now, standing next to him, hell, he looked even more bigger than I could imagine, towering over everyone with his imposing stature.

I leaned back slightly, trying to take note of everyone around us. By his side was a beautiful woman with a swollen belly, clearly pregnant, then by her side was....Alpha Darius? My Alpha? By his side was also his wife and my father. When my father's eyes met mine, he offered a small smile which I returned.

The whole circle where Garrick and I stood was surrounded by the most powerful Alphas and Lunas of our realm. I glanced at the coffin, its white veil shimmering in the candlelight.

That's where Zephyr laid, his life mysteriously cut short.

My fingers reached out and traced the patterns of the necklace, his gift and protection.

I'll miss you, Zephyr.

As a tear slid from my eye, I heard a voice, a soft whisper that seemed to come from everyone and nowhere at once.

'Take care of Garrick.'

I turned around, startled, trying to locate the source of the voice, but didn't see anyone around me, just the solemn faces of everyone in the circle. For a moment, I could have sworn that I was hallucinating, that grief was playing tricks on my mind. Until I felt it. A familiar warmth washed over me.

Zephyr.

His presence.

He was here, here with us.

A smile crept to my face, a small, private moment of peace in the midst of the sorrow. I guess they weren't lying when they said the late ruler's souls guided this place, protected these lands.

Zephyr was now one of them, watching over us, offering his.guidance from beyond the veil.