Nikolai
Natalia was still going through her heat so Max and her were busy. Andrei told me that he needed to take care of a few things so him and the other half of the Neos army were away.
Once we returned back to the palace, Ava saw her father and everything returned back to her again and she broke down. Dimitri, who was still in shock from Sof’s death was with her, as the both of them mourned together.
Mikhail and I decided to take over the responsibilities of the pack and the funeral. A lot of the dead were vampires and since their bodies decayed very fast, we had to be quick and do the finishing ritual.
The numbers in front of my eyes were heart-breaking. Over a total of six hundred wolves and vampires ended up losing their lives, sixty were permanently handicapped and over two hundred and fifty were seriously injured.
And the only reason behind this was the black magic used by the zombie witches. Otherwise, my pack members were strong enough to fight for themselves and capable enough to save their children and elders.
“Is everything ready?” I asked Mikhail when he entered my office.
“Yes, Alpha. The pack has already assembled.” He replied.
“Go call them.” I told Tessa who nodded and left.
“The Alvarez’ have arrived at the borders. They are being escorted to the cremation first. Their rooms have been arranged at the palace too.” He informed.
“How bad is it?” I asked.
“Josias is pissed. His parents… I’m not sure. They are angry but there seems to be something else too.” He replied.
I’m going to protect Ava from them. Yes, I’ve called them into our home, out of respect for Javier and for Ava’s sake. They are her last living family, except for Faelern. But I’d rather bet on Javier’s family to accept her than on him.
I could sweet talk those people if it means to get what I want- a family for my mate. Ava is done being sad. She is done suffering. I’m going to do everything in my power to make her happy.
Ava came into the living room crying. I stood up upon her sight. The subtle, constant pain in my chest-which was her pain, increased. She must be in a lot more pain.
I cupped her cheek and pressed a kiss on her lips. “It’s time, Love. Let’s go.”
Dimitri who stood in the far corner of the living room, leaning emptily against the wall looked up at me and offered me a smile but it fell not even a second later.
It broke my heart to see him like this. Dimitri was never without a smile, without a joke or a jab. It broke my heart to see both of them like this, especially when I couldn’t do anything to make it better.
All the way to the cremation grounds, which was a vast expanse of unused grounds on the bottom of the mountain, I kept a firm hold on Ava’s hand and Mikhail made sure to keep Dimitri company. Ava’s tears weren’t stopping and she sobbed at regular intervals but I didn’t stop her, I didn’t try to pacify her. She needs to let it all out, she needed to mourn her father.
All of us were silent, except for the sounds of our feet on the ground till we reached our destination. Most of the pack had already arrived. Half of the Neos Army was present too. We made our way past them to the very front.
I noticed Andrei was back, standing beside Alpha Zain , Luna Belle, Alpha Ralph, Luna Iris and Logan. All of them caught the sight of us and tipped their head in respect and to offer their condolences. I tipped my head in return, grateful for them to make time and come here, especially when they would be needed in their own pack the most.
Javier’s body rested on a pyre and a woman stood near it, crying and a man was clutching her shaking shoulders. Josias stood on her other side. I’m guessing that those are the parents.
There were hundreds of pyres laying behind up, and on them, rested the werewolves and vampires who had lost their lives in war. Their families stood around their lost ones and bid them goodbyes for the last time.
Josias immediately stiffened before he turned around and glared at Ava and I. I figured that he was angry at us and blamed us for Javier’s death.
He opened his mouth but I spoke before he did, “Javier will rest peacefully in his last moments, without listening to his family argue. For his sake, let us come together and finish the ceremony first and talk at the palace.”
His jaw clenched but he nodded.
The Sacredos stepped forward and I nodded at him, motioning him to begin. He started murmuring something in Latin to the Moon Goddess and God Sol, marking the beginning of the ritual. From what I knew, they were pleas to pardon us for causing so much bloodshed and death. And to accept the death into heaven.
A sob rose from Ava’s throat and I squeezed her hand. “I want to do it too.” She whispered. It was tradition for only the male family members to do it but I didn’t care. Ava would do what she wanted.
“Let’s do it together?” I asked softly and she nodded.
We walked to the side and I picked up three flambeaux. I kept one in my hand, handed one to Josias and another one to his father, Silas.
I used my powers and lit all the flambeaux held by the people. I placed an arm around Ava’s waist and used the other hand to hold the flambeau with Ava. Her hand was trembling.
As per ceremony, all four of us circled three times around the pyre, holding the flambeau up high, after which the pack members start circling their own dead family members. Ava’s cries increased and I tightened my hold on her.
After the circles were done, Ava and I stood towards the head and Josias and Silas towards Javier’s feet.
Ava took in a shuddering breath. She wasn’t even holding the flambeau anymore, she was clutching her waist, trying hard to control herself from crying hysterically.
Looking at Josias, who looked identical to Javier, made her cry even more.
Josias and Silas were crying too. The entire pack was crying. Everyone mourned him.
Sadness weighed my heart but I didn’t cry. He died trying to protect Ava. He died trying to keep Ava safe. I’m going to carry in his actions and make this world a safe place for Ava. I remembered my promise to her that one day, she will be able to walk around the pack freely, without any guards.