Page 159 of Her Cold-Hearted Alpha: Part 2

"You’re going to have to speak for the Night Walkers Pack." Dad said to me.

I nodded, as he pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead.

"You got this; he’s going to wake up." He said firmly, looking down at me.

I nodded but said nothing, I had barely spoken unless I needed to give orders. Alejandro… I looked at the glittering ring on my finger and my heart clenched.

I need you, my king.

-

Ten minutes later, we were gathered in the open grounds, not far from where Endora had tried to resurrect the dead witch.

My mind flitted back to that night. I had felt the darkness she was resurrecting and I had channelled my own power into destroying the remnants of the magic that remained within the earth. I wondered if I hadn’t focused on that, would Alejandro be here now? I had deviated from the plan… But something had told me I needed to stop her from completing that ritual no matter what… and I had succeeded. I knew she had already made the link with the darkness, even if we killed her, I had a feeling it wouldn’t have been the end of her…

I was sure if Endora had gotten the third death, or even me, she would have accomplished her plan. It had been close but we had won.

But we had paid a price…

"We’ve all lost someone close to us; parents, siblings, mates, children, friends, neighbours… someone. I understand your loss because I have lost many too. Each one of my wolves and those of our allies were like brothers and sisters. We faced an enemy who had been planning for years, we won but at a great cost, one we are all feeling. And our King… was the one to deal the finishing blow, but at a price. He is currently in a coma."

A murmur rippled through the crowds, and while everyone knew something had happened, no one knew what it was. Until now.

"Luna! Can’t you heal him?!" Someone asked.

One of Alejandro’s warriors growled, but I raised my hand.

"I tried." I said quietly. "But Endora did something before she died. I have faith that Alejandro will wake up soon. Until then, let's pay our respects to those who have lost their lives. Let’s work on supporting those who need it, to show your emotions aren’t weakness, to feel isn’t wrong. Be there for one another and let others in. I’m hurting too, for every loss that has happened, for my mate, your king Alejandro… my grandfather Jackson, my great aunt Amelia, my aunt Indigo, Uncle Aaron… and everyone else who lost their lives... It’s ok to let the world know how you feel. They say time heals all wounds, but I think it doesn’t. We just learn to live and accept what’s happened. To come to terms with it, it won’t be easy, but we will get there…"

I couldn’t carry on. The suffocating pain that threatened to consume me overtook me once more, and I felt Raven’s arms wrap around me. She had wanted to fight, but her father had refused, and Dad had also said no one without a wolf was to even try. She had been so pro-active since everything had happened, helping Mom around the pack, telling Mom to take breaks. Without Mom and Aunty Monica at their best, Raven had stepped up and taken on the role that the Luna or Beta female would usually do.

Rafael said a few words and I simply listened quietly. The pain in my chest was growing, but for my pack, I had to hide it no matter how much I told them that I was ok. Everyone was suffering, and as queen, I couldn’t afford to fall weak. I would not ruin my king’s reputation, not when he had done everything for the werewolf kind…

Everyone fell silent as we remembered those we had lost, joined as one as we howled into the night sky. The pain and loss of our loved ones will never be forgotten…

-----

"Come on guys, cheer up." Raven whispered. The four of us were sitting near the river. They were drinking beer and I clutched a mug of hot chocolate. It was long into the night, and everyone had retreated indoors after those who had gone for a run in remembrance of those we had lost had returned.

But the four of us had come out here, and although it was rainy and cold, it didn’t matter. Nothing was worse than the pain we felt inside.

"How the hell do you expect that to happen?" Damon asked quietly.

"How is Aunty?" I asked softly.

"She’s losing it, I don’t think she’s going to make it if she continues like this." He sighed,

"Don’t say that! Aunt Mo is strong. She’ll…" Raven broke off and looked down.

We had all seen her try to take her life earlier today. After that, Mom refused to leave her alone. Grandma was deteriorating too.

"We can’t imagine what losing a mate feels like. We can’t just expect them to be ok." Liam said softly, pulling me into his arms.

Silent tears trickled down my cheeks. I hadn’t wanted to come out here, I wanted to go to Alejandro… I still did… but Liam and Raven had been adamant.

"No matter what, we’re always here for one another, right?" Raven said softly.

"Guess so." Liam said.

---