Chapter 58

RYLEIGH

I woke up and when I looked over, there was Alizac fast asleep with Dylan. He worked so hard so I will let them be. I slowly got up with my daughter and placed her in the crib so she could continue to sleep. When I got downstairs, my mother and father were fighting.

“I had to leave! You made it impossible to be happy!” She screamed.

“You’re my mate! You weren’t happy but you were a coward to not tell me to my face. You started an entire life with someone else and never bat an eye to the person who gave everything up for you!”

They went back and forth until I couldn’t bear to see it anymore.

“That is enough! Life moved on, and so should you. Now I am going to address everyone and then bury my mate so get over it,” I said.

They stood quiet and I went out to the field. This was Alizac’s job, but I want to take the beating for them. Everyone began to gather around.

“We lost a lot of great men and women. And that doesn’t go unnoticed. But yesterday, we lost the Royal Beta Jax, and he had fought for so long so we should lay him to rest along with everyone else. Bodies are being retrieved, but tonight we lay our Beta to rest. We had fought so long, and we finally got our freedom back where the humans are beneath us. Our Ancient Luna has granted me with the gift of being your Queen until this day forward.”

I felt a hand in mine and looked up to see Alizac standing by my side.

“Let us all come together. We will meet at the cemetery at sunset.”

LATER THAT DAY…

We stood there in front of all the bodies on wooden beds ready to cremate them. But above them all laid Jax.

“Jax has been my Beta since the day I became king. He fought by my side, and he had become my big brother. He cared about everyone and loved just as hard, and it seems he got that better trait. I hope to be half the man that he was.”

Alizac walked over to him and placed a kiss on his forehead.

“Don’t worry, I will take care of her. You may rest.”

Tears fell while I joined him and placed a last kiss on Jax’s lips. It is a tradition that a family member is the one to set the souls free. He grabbed his torch and lifted it up along with others as he lit the wood on fire. Burning flesh filled the air and we all sobbed. 225 wolves were lost that day. But the human casualties were higher. We watched until they were nothing but bones before we buried the bones. This is how the wolves honor the fallen and my heart broken, choking at the tears watching Jax burn. His soul was going to be set free.

THREE MONTHS LATER…

“Ry, we’re going to be late to your coronation, you realize that?” Alizac nagged me.

But I was searching for a necklace.

“I think I left it in the kid’s room, one moment.” I walked out and made my way down but stopped in my tracks when I heard some women talking.

“I swear this girl is like the grim reaper. Two mates dead; it won’t be long until she kills Alizac, and then we’d be stuck with her.” I heard one saying which pained my heart. But they had a right to think that and in me growing up I also had to have a voice in all of this. I made my presence known by clearing my throat.

“My Queen.” They stared at the floor.

“Working in the palace is a privilege. Respecting those above you isn’t a choice. If you can’t do that then you can leave.” They looked down.

“Speak about my dead mates again, I will make sure you join them, and I don’t play around,” I threatened.

“I am sorry, my Queen,” she pleaded, and I left it at that.

I wouldn’t do it but had to scare them enough to make them think I was merciful. I went in and opened a draw and found the necklace. It belongs to Anthony, and I never want to take it off. I went back out to find Alizac standing there just looking at me with a smile.

“What?” I asked.

“You look like a Queen. I am glad that you’re going to be mine.” He walked over, placing a kiss on my cheek.

“I hate that you’re making me wait until we’re mated, but after tonight, I am going to fuck you into a coma.”

I was taken aback and kind of worried but even I was excited about that.

“Yeah? I will hold you to that.” I joked. He took my arms and laced his as he walked me outside where everyone was standing.

I looked over to see both Vanessa and Athena were there with their families to witness this moment. How important was it to have them both here to see this? I wasn’t anyone special. Just a girl who lost a lot and now was given the entire world. But here we are and here is my commitment for change with the one I saved.