In the dark of night the skies are inky black, not even a sliver of moon can be seen, it is dark as the mood of those gathered, a layer of sorrow thick in the air, that day that was, the day that hurt, from morning to afternoon, hit after hit, unrelenting beating, crushing their spirits over and over.
The pitch black sky lights up from a raging orange inferno as a match is casually flicked onto the pile of twigs and branches, fuel is added for the quick effect, the flickering of the flames illuminate eight gorgeous faces, the orange and yellow so vivid against the darkness, so very beautiful. All eight faces carry a heavy gloom and a solemn look as they stare into the orange of the fire. The flames are beautiful if it wasn’t for what this is.
A rush, haphazard style funeral, not where any of them thought they would be the day before.
"Mum, ex Luna Grace, you lived a hard life and you suffered a hard death, you had a mate that abandoned you, to feel the heartbreak of that, while you were locked away. I as a son, I failed you. Maybe I didn't love you enough. Maybe I didn't try hard enough. All I know is that I am very sorry that you had to go through all this. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me the most and I couldn't protect you from the man that was meant to keep you safe, that was meant to love you. I've already taken my revenge on him, your mate, your husband and your life partner. I will seek revenge on the people that ended your life and I will not rest until they're brought to justice"
Axel and Phoenix move Grace, who is tightly wrapped and throw her into the pits of the large fire, they throw her in as gentle and respectful way that can be accomplished in this type of set-up. The flames engulf the lady that deserved so much more.
She deserved to be loved, she deserved freedom, she deserved her life, at the very least she deserved a dignified send off, but this impossible situation only allows for this, she should have been surrounded by grievers, she should have had a proper funeral within her pack, in appreciation of her many years being Luna to the pack.
Ava holds Hunter tightly, while he is doing surprisingly well and has said over and over again that he will grieve once this is over, it is impossible for him not to feel anything as he watches his mum disappear before his eyes, never to see her again.
Not to be able to show her Ava, not to be able to tell her that he stopped his father.
Not to show her that he is going to live well, that he has a love that he never thought he deserved and that is thankful for each day. Show her that he will never be like his father, to show her true love can exist, that a mate bond can be everything, can be so beautiful and so precious, not just something that causes endless pain, a heavy burden.
The eight stand together linked arms around the raging flames, the heat seeps into their skin, warming their cold and fragile hearts.
They watch as Grace's body disappears. The last piece of it is gone, all that remains is her memory.
After they've paid their respects to the woman that gave birth and raised Hunter. They throw the remaining bodies on the fire in a crude way even though they were led astray. There is still no excuse for their behaviour and the last thing this group is going to do is pay respect to them. Did they give Brodie or his parents any respect? Did they give Grace respect? They deserve nothing.
In the space of only an afternoon they have accomplished a lot. Three packs are packing up and moving as a funeral is held, the concrete bunker has been searched from top to bottom. It had been cleaned out incredibly well the computers remaining were all completely wiped and smashed to pieces, torn paper with nothing valuable on it.
The most valuable thing is the letters, the closest form of contact they've had. No matter how many times each of them look at it, it is a girl's handwriting. By consensus, they decided to stop calling her it. She is now a she.
They have found out all they can find out from blood moon, they feel like there's not much information for a whole lot of death.
But this was never going to be easy. The moon goddess wouldn't have gone to all the effort if it was a ten-second takedown.
They are in it for the long haul.
They will all have one day leave to go back to their respective packs and get things settled with the increased volume. They can only do so much via phone to placate their packs. It is something that just needs to be done in person.
Even though now they are not hiding, they will still be going back to the Opal moon Alpha house, away from the others, training separately and being removed is for the best. The group is no longer a secret but it doesn't mean they cannot focus completely at the task at hand.
Alexis and Lucas went back during the afternoon and got clothes for the group. While they were there, Alexis also bought something back with her that is needed right now.
Alexis pulls out 7 plastic cups and a can of soft drink. Filling all the plastic cups to the rim with hard liquor.
She raises her cup in the air.
"Here's hoping that we just saw the end of the hardest day of our lives"
"Here, here"
They all throw back their heads, letting the amber liquid scorch their throats. Jade sips on her cola, watching the others as they down glass after glass of alcohol.
It takes some determination and perseverance to get a werewolf drunk and they are all having a red hot shot at it.
The men are arm wrestling and the girls are sitting on the ground giggling as they pass the glass bottle of whiskey between them.
Jade sits on a fallen tree watching the others. She turns to the right, a sad look in her green eyes and a grim smile on her slightly chapped lips.
“Are you regretting your choices?”
A smooth and ethereal voice answers.
“Never”
“We failed so much today”
The moon goddess looks from Jade to the others that are playing around, she stretches her hand and grips Jade’s tightly.
“You didn’t fail, the opposite is the case. Look at them, life dealt them blow after blow. In the space of twenty-four hours, they have questioned every choice, questioned themselves, their worth, questioned my decisions. But with them flailing, struggling to keep their heads above water, with every question they asked, they doubted themselves, but they never questioned the others, every down that was hit, someone has stepped up to pull the rest back to their feet, every single one has proved their worth. In a single day your group has become an unflinching team”
“Are we making the right decision joining the packs?”
“Of course it is, but it is of the utmost importance that it happens as quickly as possible”
Jade nods and squeezes her old but strong hand, her skin is surprisingly cold.
“Should I bow out, am I holding them back?”
“Jade, while your abilities will diminish physically, your mind is also your weapon. They are all younger, I know you are young too, but you have wisdom beyond your years. They need your guidance”
“Does it have to be so hard?”
“Were you expecting something from me to be easy?”
Jade asks the question that has been weighing on her since Alexis had the vision.
“Am I going to fight this battle just to lose my pups?”
“All of this is for them. You have the best of the best around you. If they can’t save the pups, then the whole of our kind is doomed”
Jade looks at the others. Was that meant to make her feel better? Her hand is empty again, she places her hand that is still slightly cold from the moon goddess's grip over her still flat stomach.
“There has been too much death, but I won’t let that happen. I won’t let what Alexis saw be your fate. You will grow, you will lead, you will find love like what your father and I have. Hopefully you will have a clean sail through this life, the amount of trials we have had, we have covered it all so that you can face the flat ocean. We will take the waves for you, even if I don’t make it, you have to”
It is too optimistic to believe that this is the last deaths they will face. Will the eight of them still be standing when the clock chimes the final bell?