AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Holly tightens her arm through mine, pulling me flush against her side. She blows her pale blond hair from her face and brushes her lips against my earlobe. “It’s satisfying seeing so few people show up. My funeral had hundreds of people.”
I raise my eyebrows, peeking at her in my peripheral vision. “That’s the strangest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Try living through it.” Holly covers her mouth, stifling her laugh.
Wilder swivels and looks at the two of us. We’re both dressed in black with veils obscuring our faces. No one pays attention to us, which I appreciate. I can’t seem to shake the fear that my uncle ignited in me with his arrival. I don’t know how my guys managed to not blow up the palace with him in it, but my uncle planned his arrival strategically. One of the most powerful alphas escorted him here and back to his hotel, stopping anyone from acting rash.
But it’s not over.
“Why don’t you two go take your seats? No one will bother you. The Silversteins will be your guards tonight while we socialize and accept the pack offerings.” Wilder curls his fingers at me, motioning me to stroll closer. “You have to be bored.”
“Extremely.” Holly tugs me forward, remaining by my side. “You’re going to give me first dibs on the gifts, right?”
Enzo chuckles, breaking the tense silence engulfing us. “Lower your expectations, little sis. They’re bringing things they think the bastard would’ve liked.”
Holly huffs a breath. “Still.”
Arsenio sighs and shakes his head, pressing his hand to her back, nudging the two of us forward between them. “You got it, Holls. We have everything we could ever want right here.” Hooking his finger to my veil, he shifts it away from my face to kiss me. “Isn’t that right, brothers?”
Enzo play-growls. “Well—”
Wilder elbows him in the gut. “Just go get settled. It’s better if you walk without us. There is enough attention as it is. I’m not ready to show either of you off. We’re under enough scrutiny, and it’s better to just remain discreet.”
“Always the fun stealer,” Holly mutters, purposely patting Wilder on his cheek.
He uses his sleeve to wipe off Holly’s scent the best he can, and I laugh and rub my fingers over the spot next. He snatches me and cups my face, ensuring there’s no way I’ll ever escape his scent mark.
“Careful, brother. You’re going to get her all worked up. You’ll be begging her to drag your ass out of here by the balls when she’s through. That’s a guarantee.” Enzo smacks Wilder on the back.
“I don’t beg,” Wilder mutters, flicking Enzo. “Now hustle your bratty ass inside before I spank you all the way to the door. It’s taking everything in me not to throw you on my shoulder and carry you away, forcing my brothers to deal with this.”
Damn.
“Now that you mention it...” I lick my bottom lip.
“Go. Go. Go.” Desmond intervenes, getting Holly to pull me along while Arsenio blocks both Wilder and Enzo from following me.
I raise my veil and grin at the two of them, my heart lightening with each of my steps. I shouldn’t feel so happy at a funeral. I shouldn’t want to climb on King Winston’s casket to dance the night away. But fuck it, I want to so badly. This is the only way that man can ever be put to rest.
Murmurs sound through the air. The staff set up a dozen tables on the grand terrace off the back of the fortress. A part of me hates that we had to come here instead, but another part of me loves seeing the place my pack grew up. If they didn’t have such hard feelings, we’d move in. Instead, we’ve declared this open for all members of the Gilded Sands Pack. King Winston would’ve hated it, which makes it that much better.
“Look, there they are.” Holly practically drags me in the direction of where Beckett, Jordan, Isaiah, and Wesley now stand from their seats at a rectangular table just off to the side of where my guys will sit, facing those here to show their respect.
Her scent sweetens as we stride closer, her excitement palpable enough to trigger my own. It’s the strangest thing, but that’s what happens when omegas become close. We can empathize with each other’s feelings the way we do with our alphas, especially this time of year.
“Holly, Kinsey. You have the Silverstein Pack’s condolences.” Beckett bows deeply, making a show for the few guests watching us.
Holly groans under her breath, grabbing onto the front of Beckett’s suit. “Don’t you start. I’d prefer it if you wished me congratulations.”
Jordan chuckles and pulls out a chair for her while Isaiah tugs one out for me. “A huge congrats, then, princess. Let me grab some champagne, and we’ll toast.” Jordan turns his attention to me. “What would you like, your highness?”
It’s so strange to have someone who isn’t my pack or the staff offer to serve me, but I do my best to accept graciously. “Champagne sounds good. Thanks.”
“Three whiskeys for us, Jordy,” Wesley says. “That’s a good boy.”
I gnaw on my lip, trying to remain composed. Holly loses it and laughs, her voice echoing through the air. Beckett holds his finger to her lips through the veil, trying to quiet her down. I know she doesn’t give a fuck, though. Her father deserves absolutely no respect.
I slide into my chair at the end of the table and peer around the softly lit terrace, the twinkling lights creating a magical atmosphere I wish I could enjoy on any other day.
