Alex’s pov:
Jade was beyond shaken at the news of Tyler’s passing… which was absolutely as to be expected. Add to that the Alpha King’s decision to have her train at the palace, and she was a real mess.
Somehow, however, by the time Kade and Sherry returned, she was done sobbing. Instead, she had this resigned look on her face which didn’t sit well with me.
“It will be okay, love,” I told her reassuringly, my voice as sweet and soothing as ever.
“How can you say that?” She retorted, her eyes spitting fire.
“It will be tough on us both for a while, but it will be okay eventually,” I let out, as I brushed the last of her tears away.
I was trying to play it cool myself. I just knew that if I were to show how unsettled I was by this separation period, her stubbornness would make an appearance… And while I was but an indulgent and loving mate, who could succumb to those teary eyes in a heartbeat, the Alpha King would not take no for an answer.
Sherry soon sat next to Jade and tried to make her see the positive side of things.
“First, congratulations are in order, Jade,” she let out excitedly, to which Jade gave her the stink eye… but the woman was undeterred, and continued right on, “Do you know the baby’s gender yet? Not that it should matter. I know you’ll love the baby regardless.”
“Thank you,” Jade let out after a moment and a sigh too.
Sherry then grabbed her hand and said in earnest, “I know what I am going to say won’t please you. But as your friend, it’s up to me to be there for you when you most need me, but also tell you the truth as it is.”
Jade lifted her gaze at that point, and the curiosity in her eyes was almost endearing. It was obvious that she had grown to trust Sherry in the short time they had been together.
“This can’t go on, sweetheart,” she told her sweetly, and yet somehow in a firm tone of voice at the same time. “You want to be able to stand next to Alpha Xander, right? You want to be able to fight for him and be there for the pack, without fearing this resonance issue. Well, here’s your chance to train and become the best Luna he could ever ask for.”
“It’s just that I am pregnant,” she murmured in a broken tone of voice, even though I felt like she was giving in. “And I cannot possibly envision my life without Alex in it.”
“The separation won’t be definitive, sweetheart,” Sherry told her encouragingly.
“The elders will surely try to pin everything wrong with the pack on me, and in my absence, they might even try…”
I knew exactly where this was leading, and I was therefore quick to say, “Like I could ever give in to their demands. You’re the only Luna I want and need by my side, love.”
A few tears fell down her cheeks again, and she was soon offering us a resolute smile, “In the hopes to protect the pack, and everyone I hold dear, I will go and become the best version of myself.”
“That’s the spirit,” Sherry cheered with a soft smile on her face.
Then, rising to her feet, my beloved Luna let out in a firm tone of voice, “Let us rush to the pack. I want to be there for the funeral.”
She didn’t dare to speak his name… That was how much she cared for Tyler. And he had cared for her in such a brotherly way, that even his last words were meant for her.
His exact words had been: Tell Luna Jade not to mourn me. I am going to a better place.
Now wasn’t the time to tell her his parting words though. I was sure they would only bring about tears yet again.
“I see we’re done with the crying party,” Kade observed teasingly, and Jade merely rolled her eyes at him. “Great then,” he went on, “Trevor is waiting for you in the jeep.”
“Thank you for everything,” she let out gracefully, as she held both Sherry’s hands in hers. “Should you ever need a shoulder to lean on, or an ear who’d be willing to listen without judgment, feel free to reach out to me anytime.”
“I appreciate it,” Was Sherry’s answer.
“Sorry we can’t stay long,” I let out, to which Kade simply nodded in understanding.
“Time is of the essence, Xander,” he then told me. “I totally understand.”
With that, I opened an arm and Jade walked right into my embrace.
“Let’s go home, honey,” she said softly.
Sometimes, I admired Jade more than I loved her or maybe because I loved her. She had been through so much, and it only made her grow spiritually despite being an eighteen-year old she-wolf, who’s just coming into her powers.
She took everything gracefully. For a pregnant woman and highly sensitive woman, I was glad she didn’t tire herself out with her tears.
And when Trevor who had been waiting for us in the jeep asked her whether she was okay, she replied in a soft hushed tone of voice, “I am not okay, but I trust that I will be given time.”
“Is this about Tyler, Luna Jade?” He asked in a cautious tone of voice.
“It is about Tyler,” she conceded, “about me and Alex too.”
“What about you two, if I may ask?” He probed, raising an eyebrow.
I was the one to answer the question, “The Alpha King has made a demand. He wants Jade to train at the palace under the guidance of an earth witch.”
The tires screeched and we were propelled forward ever so slightly.
He was quick to apologize, “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to hit the break so hard, or at all…”
Jade giggled at him, “We’re okay, silly. You don’t have to apologize. I would be shocked too. I mean to say that I was shocked too at the news.”
She was taking it much better now, and could even joke about it… I was glad. And onto the road, we went, with Jade refusing to stop, even for a dinner break, wishing to rush home to the funeral.
Some things never change, my wolf let out.
I know, right? She tends to always put others first, even at her own expenses, I answered him at once.
Like a truly loving and selfless Luna, he retorted.