Chapter 64 - The Alpha King and His Second Chance

Edward

Today was the day I would say goodbye to my mate. I reluctantly got off the couch, stretching my aching muscles. I couldn't bring myself to sleep in our bed. Her scent was everywhere and it only served as a reminder of the pain. My pups, on the other hand, were snuggled up on her side of the bed, missing their mom. Levi and Zander took it the hardest, as expected. Stella kept asking where mommy was, which drove my older ones crazy. There have been a lot of sibling fights in the house lately. Ella and Rachael stepped up and helped me with my five, little Abby and Hunter needing the most hands on attention.

Andrew and my mom left for the eastern kingdom after I read the letter to Andrew. They needed to retrieve King Jesse's will and present it to the council on my behalf before another ruler was picked and things got messy. They said they would be back for Sierra's funeral, which would be in just a few hours. King Jesse was accurate in his letters, he was a very organized man. Mom raved about how clear and to the point he kept everything. Part of me wonders if he had a feeling he wouldn't make it off the battlefield and prepared everything ahead of time. Everything was up to date, every report, bill, document, treaty, pack information, everything. Between Andrew and my mother, they would have an easy time maintaining the already neat and tidy eastern territory.

Derek will officially be crowned king tomorrow. He has been very anxious about it. The more he goes through his father's office, the more disturbing things he finds. Whatever his father was involved with ran deep apparently. Poor kid was going to have to sleep with a knife under his pillow for a while. I'm not entirely sure what help I will be in that case, unless there is a mass genocide. If he is right about half his kingdom being corrupt, we might just have to clean house. I don't doubt that there will be those who will challenge him for his title, not only because he was only twenty-one, but also because of the legacy his father left behind. I know from personal experience how discouraging it can be to be challenged for your title. I hadn't even been king for a month and had eight challengers. They didn't know how I would rule, but because I was young they thought I wouldn't succeed and they could take away my birthright. I don't think Derek fully realizes how much work he is going to have ahead of him. Next week should be interesting, to say the least.

I reluctantly dragged myself to the kitchen, already dreading today, and poured a stale cup of cold coffee from yesterday's pot. I nuked it in the microwave and started to get ready. It tasted like shit, which matched my mood.

"Edward?" Ella's voice called from the elevator.

"Kitchen," I answered.

"Hey, are the pups up yet?" She asked.

I asked her to help me get them ready for the funeral today, which she thankfully agreed to. Ella and Jackson were going to be watching my pups while I was away helping Derek. I didn't know how long it would take to get his kingdom straightened out, and although I did plan on traveling back and forth frequently, my pups needed someone constant to look after them. To someone not in my shoes, I'm sure that I looked like a piece of shit dad leaving my pups after their mother had just passed. But if I couldn't get Derek on steady feet there was a good chance that another wolf might overthrow him and that could affect my pups in the future. It was too important for me not to help him. I just needed to spend a few months to ensure a good future for our kind, and then I would be by my pups' side until they leave the nest.

"Not yet." I shook my head.

"Is everything all set for today? Do you need me or Jackson to help with anything?"

"No, the witches were highly insistent that they wanted to arrange her funeral. They asked me to pick out flowers but said they would handle the rest."

"And you are okay with that?" Ella frowned.

"I trust that they will treat her with the dignity and respect that she deserves. Sierra spoke very highly of them, even though I'm always a bit skeptical, I decided to trust my mate on this one."

"Okay...so where is she being buried then? I noticed the cemetery behind the gardens wasn't prepped for a casket."

It was customary for the royals to be buried behind the palace. My mate, of course, would be the exception to the rule. She was always a rule breaker, even in death she had made her own way.

"The witches mentioned something about a glass casket." I shrugged her off.

"Hi Aunt Ella," Levi and Xander said in unison, coming from the hallway in their pajamas.

"Morning boys. Sleep okay?" She asked sympathetically.

"Not really," Levi said, climbing up into one of the kitchen chairs.

Xander only shrugged and came shuffling over to me. I scooped him up and he rested his head on my shoulder, his eyes still sleepy looking. "How about I make some waffles for breakfast?" I asked my boys. And by make, I meant I would throw a few frozen waffles into the toaster. I never did improve my culinary skills. I didn't need to since I always had Sierra around.

"Sure," Levi sighed. I think Xander fell asleep in my arms, evident from the lack of response, dead weight, and even breathing he had. This pup could fall asleep anywhere, anytime.

"Momma?" Stella asked, rubbing her eyes with one hand while the other dragged her favorite stuffed wolf down the hallway with her.

"Mom is gone, Stella," Levi said with a bite in his tone.

"When will she be back?" She asked, again.

"Stella, remember our talk last night? Mom is with the moon goddess now." I sighed, feeling just as frustrated that I had to keep telling her this. She was only four. I didn't expect her to understand a lot, but I figured after telling her a dozen times she would get the message.

"When she comes back, I want her to go to the playground with me." Stella said with a yawn.

"Stella-" Levi's voice almost sounded like a growl.

"Levi, why don't we go for a walk?" Ella interjected, saving me from breaking up another fight.

"Good idea." I said firmly to Levi, who rolled his eyes and left the table. Goddess keep me patient.

I carefully set Xander down on the couch and began toasting the frozen waffels. Stella didn't seem to have a care in the world. She sat at the table by herself, happily munching on her waffle and coloring in her book with her stuffed wolf on her lap, kicking her feet in delight. I envied her.

Hunter and Abby woke up half an hour later and our home soon became filled with chaos, trying to get five pups and myself ready. The twins complained about having to wear suites, while Stella was delighted to put on a dress. Abby spit-up on her dress and needed to be changed, but by some miracle we made it out the door right on time.

The witches were vague about what they had planned, but they did ask us to meet them in the cemetery behind the palace. My mom and Andrew were already waiting there, along with Jackson and his pups, William and his family, the entire council, King Carson, and the almost king, King Derek. More wolves, witches, and vampires ended up showing up, the group so large I didn't know how or where we could possibly fit everyone for the funeral. Sierra was truly loved by all.

"King Edward." Gwendolyn greeted me. She wore a fancier version of her typical flowing gray dress with a single white ribbon tied around her waist.

"Are we ready?" I asked.

"Right this way." She nodded.

Three more witches joined her and they all used their powers together to open a massive portal big enough to get our large group through. I could sense a lot of unease among my people, but they followed my lead without hesitation. I stepped through the portal, my jaw falling slack at the pure wonder before my eyes. We were in a clearing in a forest, it looked like something out of a book I would read to Stella. Whimsical, enchanting even. There was a pink hue everywhere I looked, the forest floor had nothing but beautiful flourishing wildflowers. The surrounding trees were all cheery blossoms, beyond those were willow and birch trees with a variety of others that weaved along a stream that circled most of the area. In the center of the clearing there was a monument in the shape of a wolf, Sierras wolf, Sienna. The only difference was that her eyes had colored stones, one being purple, the other red, unlike her normal vibrant blue ones. I carefully approached the statue, afraid to step on or touch anything.

"Wow." I whispered to myself. Blown away by the witches' work.

"Alpha." Gwendolyn gently called me.

I looked around the monument to her and caught a glimpse of the glass. Goddess I wasn't ready for this. I swallowed the lump in my throat and approached my mate's casket. The top was made of rounded glass, the base a beautiful white marbel. Inside laid my mate, her hair done in soft curls with a variety of pure white flowers placed around her entire body. She wore a beautiful royal purple dress that complimented her skintone and figure. Her hands were folded on top of her, holding a single white rose. She had natural looking makeup on, and goddess, if I didn't know any better I would have thought she was sleeping, she looked so beautiful even in death.

"Thank you." I gulped, all the tears I had been holding back starting to fall.

"We will begin momentarily, please have a seat." She said, gesturing to the rows of chairs I was just now noticing on the other side of Sierra's casket.

The seats quickly filled up, but no one was left standing. We were in a crescent shape around her casket. Most of the guests were so awestruck by the beauty around us, the grim mood suddenly seemed much lighter.

"We are here today to lay to rest Queen Sierra. She was unlike any other being I had the pleasure of knowing. When we first met, I wanted nothing to do with her. But as time passed, I grew to love her as a sister." Gwendolyn began. "She sacrificed herself to save hundreds of innocent lives, some who might not have even known that they were in danger. She was a selfless woman, a fierce mother, a loving mate, and a good friend. We would now like to invite anyone who wishes to say something to the front at this time."

Andrew was the first person to leave his seat, almost knocking it over in his hurry. When he got to the front, he took a steadying breath and pulled out a folded piece of paper with shaky hands. "My daughter was one in a million. As a young girl, she loved life, loved animals and exploring. She was an easy pup who simply loved life. I failed her as a father when she was only a pup, but the moon goddess gave me a second chance. I got to know my little girl as the woman she had become. She welcomed me with open arms into her home. I couldn't have been more proud of her, seeing the life she had made for herself. Getting to spend time with her and her pups, watching her care for them. Her love was unconditional. I didn't deserve her. I pray that the moon goddess will one day reunite me with my little pumpkin, and until then, may she find comfort and rest." Andrew said. He took his seat just as quickly as he had gotten up, the next person already heading towards the front.

"Hello everyone. My name is Derek. I was Sierra's half brother. I didn't get to meet her until I was a teen, and we only spoke a few times, but when we did, I always left feeling hopeful. She was an example of what a leader should be. She showed me that there was hope for a better life, no matter what your circumstances. I wish I had gotten to know her better, but I am thankful for our few moments together." Derek said, fidgeting nervously.

One by one, almost every single person in attendance came to the front to tell their story about how Sierra impacted their lives. Funny stories were exchanged, and even a few jokes cracked about her sassiness and quirkyness. Overall, there was an overwhelmingly positive atmosphere. I had thought about what I was going to say, I even tried to write things down, but nothing felt right. I knew we were nearing towards the end, and I was going to be the last to speak.

"Is there anyone else who would like to say something?" Gwendolyn asked.

When she was met with silence, I knew it was my turn. I handed Hunter off to my mom, much to his disapproval, then headed towards the front. I cleared my throat when I reached the spot where everyone else had been standing, the grass matted down from everyone before me. All that was left was to speak my mind.

"Sierra was my best friend. But she was also so much more than that. She was the mother of my pups, my Luna, my partner in crime. Every day I spent with her was the best day of my life. Even on crummy days, she made everything seem more manageable. Many of you might not know this, but when we met we agreed to reject one another. Thankfully, that never happened. But it took months of us living together before we finally accepted each other. We were both afraid that our baggage would bring harm to the other person. When we finally got past our fears, we built a wonderful life together. We had beautiful pups together. She showed me what true love was. We stood together on the good days and on the bad. I am thankful for every moment I had with her here on earth. I love her with every fiber of my being. I hope the moon goddess will find favor in me one day and reunite me with my mate when I am called home. Until then," I said, looking at her casket, my voice dropping to a whisper. "Rest in peace my love."

I took my seat and waited for Gewndolyn to continue. She went to the front again, this time with six other witches who formed a circle around my mate's casket and monument. "Sierra will go down in history for her strength and courage." She began. The other witches started mumbling a spell, frost coming from their hands. "Let this place serve as sacred ground." An ice globe formed around my mate's casket and monument, snowflakes slowly falling from the top to the bottom. It looked like she was in a snowglobe even though it was summer. "Let no man disturb her rest....Sierra will remain here, as a reminder of all of her sacrifices. The globe and frost will protect her from the outside world. May she rest in peace."