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“I don’t know. It was a feeling. My heart hurt, and I couldn’t breathe.”
“And the moon was red. A sign of death. That’s why we’re here early. We drove as fast as we could,” Ziomara answered.
“Have you always felt what others feel?” I asked Evie.
“No. I don’t even know who I felt in pain. Which is why I was concerned. My family—”
“They’re fine. Your mom and Everett are still in Blue Moon helping with the wounded. Your father is around here somewhere.”
“And the rest? Your family...” she trailed off timidly, as if wondering if she had a right to ask.
“Areli, Cecilia, and Lucien were wounded. Lucien was conscious when I left and stable. His mate was stable but unconscious. Areli...” My heart clenched. “She had to go into a medically induced coma. We almost lost her. Violet...Violet found and lost her mate last night.”
“Oh, Cory. I’m so sorry,” she whispered, tears gathering and falling from her beautiful green eyes. I could only nod.
“I have to call Mom and Dad to let them know. There’s been a lot of loss today. The pyres will be burned this evening, so please, go rest, Evie. It would mean a lot to see you there.”
“Call me so I can make sure to attend?” she asked.
“I can’t find my phone, but I will mind-link you,” I answered her.
“Thank you.”
They got up to leave when Evie stopped and turned around. I stopped breathing at the image in front of me. Her warm and concerned face, her arms cradling a pup to her chest.
Blessed would be the man who ended up bonded to her, to be able to see her like this and know she was his. Cursed was I to know she would belong to someone else, because the moment I saw her running toward me when she arrived, I realized just how deeply in love with her I’d always been and continued to be. I was truly and thoroughly fucked.
“I’ll be moving into the house with Zi. I need some independence, and she could use the company while she settles in.” She smiled down at the sleeping toddler in her arms. “And Molly could use a friendly face while she adjusts.”
“Do you—” I cleared my throat when I felt it crack. “Do you need any help moving your stuff?”
“No. I should be fine. We’ll use the trailer to move whatever I need. Thank you. You should all go nap. You look like you’ve aged twenty years in one night. We need our alpha strong,” she said.
I gave her a small smile, warmed by her concern, but I wouldn’t get any rest until tonight. There was too much to do. I had to visit the families of everyone lost. I needed to make sure our security was all in place. Uncle Lalo was supposed to come out to let me know if they had enough people to up their security or if they needed some of our warriors to fill in. I needed to make sure my family was going to be safe. Evergreen was going to suit up Blue Moon to the teeth. Last night would never repeat. I still needed to call Mom and Dad.
Chapter Seven
Evie
I did manage to have a nap after I mind-linked Dad, and he let me know they were safe. I hadn’t slept for almost two days, and once the adrenaline of trying to get here dissipated, I slept like a log.
‘Evie, we’re lighting the pyres in ten minutes,’ Cory’s voice came through the mind-link, his voice soft and warm. Tozi purred in my head, and I was thankful Cory couldn’t hear it. Even through the warmth and gentleness of his voice, though, I could hear the exhaustion in his tone. Cory asked me to rest, but I knew he hadn’t heeded his own advice. After letting him know I was awake, I got up and changed. I passed by Zi’s room and saw that she and Molly were still asleep.
I let them be. Molly was too young to see the pyres and understand what happened. I was sure Cory would not think less of them if I didn’t wake them up. I left the house and joined the rest of the pack making their way to the back of the pack house. There were twelve pyres set, and my heart sank. Cory had said only about five members had passed, but it looked like more had passed since. I felt my heart break when I saw a small figure on one pyre, the parents crying next to it.
I looked around until my eyes landed on Cory. He was to the side talking with Beta Gonzalo and Gamma Theo. As if feeling my eyes on him, he looked up and met mine. He gave me a soft, tired smile, but then his face fell and he turned back to Gamma Theo, answering something. I was confused about the sudden change and wondered if something else happened. I was going to approach to ask when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“They decided to combine the ceremony for both packs,” Paolo said when I turned my head up to look up at him.
“Oh,” I answered, only slightly relieved. It still made me sad for all the people we’d lost but relieved that there hadn’t been more deaths since I went to sleep. I looked back at where Cory was, but he wasn’t there anymore. I tried looking around, but before I could get very far, Paolo guided me to the front of the crowd, and we listened to Cory and Beta Gonzalo giving their speeches. Howls rented the air in support of the families as they took their torches and sent their loved ones back to the moon goddess.
“Do you want me to walk you back? I know your parents and brother are helping with everything. You shouldn’t be alone tonight,” Paolo asked.
“That’s sweet, but I won’t be alone.” I smiled up at him. He was going to say something else when his eyes glazed over. He sighed when they cleared.
“I have to go. I’m on patrol next, and they’re changing the routes and other stuff because of the attack. I’ll catch you later?”
“Sure. Be safe,” I called after him.
