Emma and Patrick returned together for Amy’s funeral. Edward breathed a sigh of relief. “Emmie, you shouldn’t have run away,” he said, his tone admonishing but filled mostly with concern. Emma embraced him lightly. “Sorry, Edward, for making you worry. I’m so sorry.”
Nelson stood at a distance, watching as Patrick led Emma into the crowd, then Edward approached her, pulling her into an embrace. He whispered something to her, and she nodded. Together, they made their way toward where Amy’s body lay, while Patrick stood not far away, not coming close to Emma and them, nor returning to where Nelson and Jennifer stood.
From his position, Nelson could see the cemetery ahead where Amy’s body was placed, wrapped in white cloth, the traditional way for them. Her body laid on a wooden board, soon to be cremated. Werewolf funerals always chose cremation; it was tradition. It was believed that the intense flames could cleanse the soul, for both humans and werewolves alike. The rituals for the departed were often long; even a daytime funeral would stretch well into the night, the moon’s light spreading across the earth, guiding the departed soul.
People began to gather around the bonfire, engaging in a dance of prayer, partly to bid farewell to the departed and partly to seek blessings from the gods. Nelson searched in the crowd for his daughter. He had never seen Emma before, but in that moment of seeing her return with Patrick, he was certain she was his daughter.
He couldn’t take his eyes off Emma. She looked like Amy, but she had bright, large eyes, eyes that looked just like his. They had the same eyes, and it brought Nelson some comfort.
Her hair was long and curly, a perfect combination of himself and Amy. She was beautiful, just like his former partner. She stared at her mother’s body without shedding a tear, her expression blank.
“Is that her?” Jennifer asked. Nelson nodded, his gaze fixed on his daughter, hoping she would look up at her father, his daughter, whom he had longed to see. Jennifer looked at him but said nothing.
Many people attended the funeral, most of them weeping and consoling each other. It was evident that Amy was dearly loved.
Edward turned to Emma and quietly asked her something. She shook her head. Edward nodded and kissed her on the forehead. “Thank you all for coming,” Edward said as he let go of Emma. He wrapped an arm around Amy’s shoulder, and together they gazed sorrowfully at the deceased.
“Amy was an extraordinary woman,” Edward said. “She was once our tribe’s finest female warrior, with her own wolf. Fearless and brave, everyone who knew Amy understood her loyalty to our pack. Even after she lost her wolf and resorted to alcohol, it doesn’t change the fact that she was a hero. We gather here to bid her a final farewell.”
Cries started to emerge from the crowd.
Edward signaled to someone in the crowd, and a man came forward and set the wooden board alight. Nelson looked in Emma’s direction, where a girl of similar age approached her, pulling her into an embrace.
“May the fire carry her soul and grant her peace,” Edward said.
“May she find peace,” Nelson murmured softly. He heard others around him joining in. This was the eulogy, a sign of respect for the deceased. Jennifer, however, remained silent. He knew he needed to talk to her, but for now, Amy’s funeral and his precious daughter were of paramount importance.
Patrick found himself standing beside Jennifer, watching the scene together. He remembered his father’s funeral, the calm weather, the occasional sound of birds flying by, and the quietness, as he watched the crowd place his father’s body in the coffin and then set it ablaze, the flames consuming everything within.
It took only half an hour, and everything, including the coffin, was reduced to ashes. Now Emma was experiencing something similar.
They watched as the fire raged, and suddenly, Jennifer softly asked, “Do you still remember your father?”
Patrick wondered how he could forget. It was the moment he bid his final farewell to his father.
“Of course, Mom. I’ll never forget,” he replied.
Jennifer sighed softly and closed her eyes. It was the most agonizing period for her. When she opened her eyes, she saw her partner’s face. When she closed them, she heard the cry of a baby. Every night and morning, she felt tormented by these sudden departures, but thankfully, Nelson appeared. Nelson made her no longer fear the dark abyss. His hand was warm, his embrace broad; she lay there as if in her only harbor.
But now, this little girl was going to take away her only sanctuary. Jennifer thought, I hate her, and it’s for a reason.
As the funeral drew to a close, Nelson wanted to approach Emma, but he could feel the gaze of the people fixed on him. He could hear them whispering, the warriors unwilling to let him in. One of them recognized him, feeling angry, trying to drive Nelson away, but another warrior stopped him. They silently allowed him to walk into the crowd, heading towards Emma.
He approached and saw Amy’s body completely engulfed in flames. He had loved her once, despite being unable to leave a mark on her; they had missed their chance, with no way to reclaim it. Yet, he still grieved for her passing.
He looked towards his daughter. Emma now had the company of others, the girl of similar age and his friend Edward. She seemed not to need him as her father.
Florence also arrived to attend the funeral. Emma stood at the forefront of the crowd, gazing blankly at the large fire, Florence holding her tightly, trying to convey some strength to her.
Edward looked at her with concern. “Emmie, are you okay?” Florence answered for her, “I think she’s not okay right now, but everything will be alright. Isn’t that right, alpha?”
Edward was amused by her optimism. “Yes, everything will get better,” he echoed. “Emmie, your father is right behind you. You’ll be leaving soon. If you want, you can come back anytime, but you have to study well.”
Emma looked at them, at these people who were truly like family, yet now she was about to leave them behind, just as her father had done fifteen years ago. She cried, “But I don’t want this. Edward, please, I don’t want to leave you. I need your company.”