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Raika, my beloved mate, was dead.
29
SHANE
Not long ago,I had stood in the town’s square, facing a pyre so we could honor the dead.
And now, I was doing it again.
Only this time, it wasn’t in my town.
I glanced over my shoulder, at DuMoir Castle in the distance, the sun setting behind it. This place had meant a lot to me, but I hated to be here. Because being back here meant I hadn’t had a nightmare two nights ago.
It meant that Raika was really gone.
The pain in my chest only grew as the time passed, despite everyone telling me it would be all right.
It wouldn’t be.
Even though we had evacuated the town before the dragon destroyed it all, even though the sick people were now recovering at a steady rate, even though we were together and had a temporary home, nothing would ever be the same.
It would never be all right again.
I looked at my pack forming a wide semicircle around me. All of them quiet, with their heads low, their shoulders slumped. To the side, Lucille and Rue held a crying Minsi, both of them with tears in their eyes.
Inhaling deeply, I picked up the torch from Dom and faced the three pyres in front of me: one for Raika, one for Vallin, and one for Roman.
I stared at Roman’s, the only empty pyre. From what I was told, he fell when running with Raika. He had been consumed by the fire, and we weren’t able to recover his body. I placed my hand over the pyre and mentally thanked him for all he had done for the pack and for Raika. I might have been jealous of him, but he had always done his best for Raika, no matter what.
I touched the torch to the pyre and it caught fire.
Next, I walked to Vallin. The vampires had cleaned him up and dressed him in an elegant white suit. I had to admit, I didn’t know Vallin that well, just that my father had trusted him and had often said that Vallin would have been his choice for a beta, if he ever needed to name another one. In my mind, I thanked him for helping me take care of the pack.
I lowered the torch to the pyre and the flames spread fast.
My throat closed as I walked to Raika. She looked like she was sleeping in her bed of straw, her long black hair spilling around her like a dark halo. Minsi, who had been well but sobbing the whole time, had done a crown of white flowers for her, and the witches had dressed her up in a simple but beautiful white dress. She looked like an angel.
I blinked, fighting the tears. I smoothed my hand down her face, realizing this would be the last time I would ever touch her.
A sob shook my chest.
Tyren stepped closer and pressed a hand to my shoulder. I looked at him and he was as teary eyed as I was. Once upon a time, I would have cared if people saw me crying.
Now, I wanted to cry and scream.
But first, I had to honor the love of my life. She deserved it.
“I love you,” I whispered. “I’ll always love you.”
I lifted the torch, but I couldn’t lower it.
Tyren moved his hand to my arm, as if telling me I wouldn’t be doing this alone.
Swallowing another sob, I brought the torch down.
Flames encased the pyre.
I lowered my head and let the tears fall.
