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“Here me now
Our ancestors
Who walked this new land
Where we sought refuge
Those who did this will pay
We will not be broken or destroyed
By our enemies. “
The pack members joined in with agreements, the promises spoken individually but understood as one.
“Farewell our loved ones
Roam free in the night skies
Shine bright as new stars.”
He crouched, extended his arm, then tipped the contents of the pot into the grave. Flames burst over the covered body. He stayed there for a moment, letting the sudden heat wash over him, until he stood and stepped back.
The others did the same to each grave. The firelight pushed away the last of the night’s darkness from each line of graves.
Kodiak stood, honoring silently in memory, his leader and the others who had died. Their losses wouldn’t be in vain. The vampires would not break them.
“Above the ashes
We remain
We continue
To protect.”
As one, everyone removed their clothes.
He changed into his wolf form, lifted his nose to the sky, and let out a long, hollow howl. Every pack member shifted, too, and joined him in a sad song.
His fur stood on end as the howls echoed in his ears. The heat of the flames offered no comfort, only reminding him of the emptiness that remained.
Once the last of the fires had died and all the bodies had burned to ash, Kodiak transformed back into his human shape and dressed. He picked up a shovel and began to fill the grave.
The others did the same.
Knowing that Tamaska stood in reverent silence by his side helped to soothe his aching heart. Now that the burial had been completed, it was time to get serious and plan how to get revenge on the vampires.
The pack quickly returned the bushes to their places over the graves. The dried leaves scattered until the area looked the same as it had before the graves had been dug. But Kodiak and his pack would always know what change had taken place.
Would always know where their loved ones lay to rest.
As the first light broke across the sky, a brilliant red extended across the horizon. Kodiak stood, ready to address his pack.
“I’m saying it again, this time plainly. I promise to make the vampires pay,” he said. “As your new alpha, I will do this. And we will all prevail. These deaths won’t be in vain.”
“You’re forgetting something,” Shota said as he pushed to the front of the crowd.
“I’ve forgotten nothing.” Kodiak narrowed his eyes at the insolent comment.
