Page 9 of The Alpha Wolf's Pregnant Bride

“Th-thank you,” I say nonetheless as Cyrus strolls off toward his mother.

I turn to Dakota, her blue eyes wide as she takes my hand.

“I don't wanna be here right now,” I admit, keeping my voice low. “I c-can't.”

Dakota glances over my shoulder and nods.

“Let's go inside,” she gestures toward the pack den.

Nodding, I follow her as she ushers me into the pack den, where we'd just completed prayers for my mother's funeral before she'd been buried. Sighing, I trudge along with heavy feet, feeling less unsettled in the sanctity of Moon Shine's sacred building.

“Take a seat here,” Dakota offers when she leads me to the prepared dinner table. “I'm gonna go check if Nancy is done preparing lunch.”

“I'm not hungry…” I murmur absentmindedly, staring blankly at the doors that remain parted.

What's worse is that Cyrus is there.

Dakota sighs, nudging me onto the bench. “It's customary to eat after a funeral, Cass,” she reminds me. “I know you probably don't have an appe—”

“What is he doing here?”

“Who?”

I turn to my friend, still frowning deeply. “Cy—The Alpha.”

“You just answered your own question, Cass,” Dakota chuckles lightly. “Heisthe Alpha. Why wouldn't he be here?”

When a group of footsteps resounds on the wooden floorboards of the ancient den, I keep my composure with a deep breath. Only when a dainty hand bejeweled with rings on every finger touches my shoulder do I rise to my feet immediately.

“Luna Phoebe…” I bow my head when her hand gently tilts my chin up. From my periphery, I notice the others taking their seats at the table while the elder woman gently takes my hand.

“Cassandra…” she smiles warmly. “... I am so sorry for your loss.”

I bask in the warmth of her embrace, feeling her motherly love and remorse radiate from her gentle nature. It's the warmth I've lost from my own mother, but it reminds me that not everyone in Moon Shine is terrible.

Luna Phoebe had always been kind to me, especially on those occasions when she'd visited our cottage and shared a cup of tea with my mother.

When the luna pulls away, her kind smile is glittered with a twinkle in her eyes. “You forget, child, that I am no longer the Luna of this pack.”

I know that she's changing the subject for my sake. My time for grieving was over the moment Mama's casket was lowered into the ground.

As werewolves, we're meant to stay aware of the fact that death isn't the end for our souls. Once we've crossed over, we'rewelcomed into the Moon Goddess's humble abode with open arms that are warmer than any earthly arms.

Still, Phoebe's presence soothes my soul from the physical loss of my mother. I smile back at her and say, “You will always be the Luna of this pack, Luna Phoebe,” I beam.

She glances at her son, the Alpha, as he takes his seat at the head of the long dinner table and sighs. “Only until Cyrus takes a mate.” She turns back to me. “If that will ever happen.”

My attention is drawn to the Alpha then, my head turning off its own accord. As if the luna's wish has somehow unsettled me, a shiver passes through my spine.

Why would I care if he takes a mate or not?

Shrugging it off, Dakota excuses herself to check on Nancy, the elder she-wolf spinster who'd offered to cook lunch for the funeral. I nod, feeling somewhat vulnerable when my friend leaves me just as the Luna leaves my side.

I'm exposed, noticing Cyrus glancing at me from across the room as I take my seat again. His presence, imposing with the hereditary blood of the Alpha running through his veins, is a tough pill to swallow. My throat feels constricted, forcing me to shuffle in my seat in an attempt to get comfortable.

An impossible feat to achieve while he's in the room. Suddenly, everything feels uncomfortable. The white cloak I'd worn for the sake of the funeral procession. My bra. My skin.

I blow out a breath through puckered lips just as Dakota returns with Nancy, and the customary meal is served. The deafening silence is cut with the sound of metal against ceramic when the Alpha piles food onto his plate.

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