**Ciara’s POV**
“We are gathered here today to pay our solemn tributes to this lovely family, the family of Mr and Mrs George Caddel, and their daughter June Caddel…” The priest’s deep voice spoke loudly through the microphone.
“We would be less than honest if we said that our hearts are not aching over this unfortunate situ…”
My mind trailed off as I stared at the three caskets on the floor. I couldn’t breathe. I felt suffocated.
Rubbing my clammy palms on my dress, I heaved out a breath.
June Caddel, my best friend. She was my best friend. We all lived harmoniously in our little town up until Jackson, a cranky teenager shape-shifted into a werewolf in broad daylight.
His attitude drew speculations, a lot of people(humans) wanted to know what he was, while a few more curious ones quickly decided he wasn’t the only werewolf in our town and decided to hunt us, the remaining ones down.
June was killed during the process, her parents too were killed, and many other werewolves were too.
I blinked back tears as I struggled to listen to the priest whose loud voice resonated around the large cemetery.
“…that we have come here today trusting that God would minister to our hearts, and strengthen us, that we may…”
My mind trailed off again when suddenly I felt something squeeze my hand, almost reassuringly.
I looked up to find Grace, a girl from school, and also a friend of June. She had red swollen eyes that she had tried shielding by wearing large black sunglasses.
I sighed, squeezing her hand back.
“Will you be fine, Ciara?” Grace asked in a hushed whisper.
I didn’t say a word, couldn’t say a word because I had no answer. June was my best friend, the closest thing to the family I had. Even closer than my actual family.
“Receive the lord’s blessings,” the priest said suddenly, snapping me out of my reverie. “May He bless you and watch over you, and may He look kindly over you and give you peace; in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
“Amen.” The crowd responded in unison.
I looked around to discover that the caskets had been laid into the ground but hadn’t been buried yet.
I turned away from them, unable to watch them fall the heap of sand over June and her parents.
I wiped desperately at the angry tears that blurred my vision and ran down my cheeks, as I walked away from the crowd of mourners who didn’t really give a fúck about the Caddels.
They were not here to show sympathy, they were just here to sate their stupid, curious eyes…
***
I sat on my chair at the dining table, playing around my plate of pasta with my chopsticks but finding it quite difficult to eat all the same.
“Doesn’t it taste nice enough?” Mom asked, staring at me with a look of concern on her oval-shaped face.
“I don’t know, I’ve not eaten it,” I replied, twirling a strand between the chopsticks.
“You’re not the only one who lost a friend.” My dad snapped from his large chair at the top of the table, “I did too, my Caddel was my…”
“Colleague at work!” I finished for him quickly, staring him down from under my lashes, “That’s not the same as losing your best friend!” I growled.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed my elder sister smacking her lips, seemingly ignorant of the banter between my father and me. Even my mother had suddenly gone quiet and had this expression on her face that was apparently bordering on frustration.
“I do not care!” Dad snapped suddenly, gobbling up the spaghetti on his plate, “All I care about is the fact that Aynor is no longer safe for our species, and that we need to leave here as soon as possible!” He snarled, allowing spittle to fall freely from his mouth as he spoke.
“What do you mean by that dad?” Jessie asked in her high nasal voice, her eyes were as round as saucers as she spoke.
I knew she was about to throw a tantrum, at least this tantrum would be justifiable. She was the only one amongst us who had a life here. She had friends and was doing well in the modelling industry.
I mean, we couldn’t just possibly throw all that into the wind because some crazy humans couldn’t reign in their guns.
“What I mean is that we are going back to Wahroonga,” Dad replied softly, holding out his hands on top of the table to pat hers gently.
“And where the fúck is that supposed to be?” She hissed, pulling her hands forcefully out of dad’s grip as she crossed her arms across her chest, and glared.
“Wahroonga is in New southern Wales, we’re actually going to my old Pack house there.” He answered, glancing between all of us as if expecting us to applaud him for his idea.
“You‘ve already had it all planned out, You’re not asking for our take right now, you’re commanding us.” Jessie seethed.
I suddenly didn’t want to be here, caught in between this brewing argument. I didn’t want to leave for Wahroonga or whatever the place was called.
I just wanted to be left alone.
But, I doubted my wish would be granted.
“When exactly do you intend for us to move out then?” Mom asked.
My eyes snapped up to meet hers. Then I stared at everyone around the table.
“In two days.” Dad let out, making Jessie and I gasp loudly at the same time.
“You’ve got to be fúcking kidding me!” She yammered at father. Her slant eyes turned into fierce slits as she stared at him, cúrsing under her breath.
“Mind your language, young woman!” Dad growled, pounding his fist against the table. Jessie shut her mouth up quickly, but I wasn’t fazed. I was used to getting his anger directed at me.
“We have a life here,” I whispered, suddenly making everyone look up at me in shock because I hardly ever spoke up.
“You just can’t expect us to quickly wrap up our lives within a space of two days to go to where? Your old pack house?” I snarled, looking up at dad who had a stormy expression on his face.
“Yes, that's what I expect you to do!” He barked looking up to glance between all of us. “I expect y’all to make it easier for me, and see reasons why I am doing this!”
“We understand that it is for our safety, but can you please give us enough time to at least say a proper goodbye to the lives we have—”
“Shut up, Ciara!” He bellowed, cutting me off. “Since y’all are trying to move mad, you will all go up to your rooms this minute, and pack your wretched stuff! We’re leaving tomorrow morning!"
Father ordered, making everyone gasp.
I swallowed, feeling an inexplicable rage run up my body.
“This is all Ciara’s fault, she angered father,” Jessie murmured under her breath as she stood up from the table and walked away.
I grounded my teeth in anger. It was suddenly my fault, the way every little misfortune was always my fault.
I got up from the table too, throwing my chair backwards and regretting that I had tried standing up for Jessie.
And anyone else because they were all fúckers…!