Page 84 of Vicious Wolf Mate

The latter just smiles. “Sand Rock received new homes too, but we decided to change the name of our clan.”

Mace’s taken aback. “You did? To what?”

“Our clan name is now Sand Sky, because the truce is on. Both clans can live in harmony now.”

The awe returns on his handsome face. Drario lets out a laugh, the happiness pouring out of him too. With not another word, they hug each other tight. Their younger selves’ must be crying, just like I want to.

They hold each other for a moment longer. I guess this acts as the reunion they looked for. They break up the hug with a few pats on each other’s backs.

“There’s actually more that you need to see,” I tell Mace.

He tilts his head. “More? You guys did all of this and you still havemore?”

The three of us chuckle. “I think it’s the best thing out of everything here.”

I take him by the hand again. Drario and Gnash follow behind us while I guide Mace to the very center. He looks around the buildings, trying to see if there’s something he's missed.

In the middle of the center, there’s a large object covered with a sheet. A crowd surrounds it. They murmur and chat about what could be under it.

Mace looks back at Gnash and Drario, confused about the object. They shrug, feigning innocence. I let go of Mace’s hand to walk into the crowd. Then, I stand next to the object.

The crowd quiets down with my presence. The boys push Mace closer to get a full view. I smile at him one more time before speaking to the crowd.

“Everyone, I first want to thank you all for coming here today. A lot of you are wondering what could be under the sheet and why I am the one speaking to you. It’s been over a year already that the new Insignys has taken over. During that year, we saw many changes in both humans and shifters.

“As you all know, our goal is to maintain peace between us. Although it has not been said or shown before, I just want you all to know how much shifters mean to this world. You all bring a different kind of beauty and strength into the world. It’s because of that beauty and strength that we should be working together, for the good of our individual people. No shifter should ever lose their life again to this stupid war.”

The crowd claps and cheers. Mace looks up to me with pride and adoration. As much as I mean every word I said, this is more for him.

I grab the sheet and pull it.

59

MACE

Mckenna pulls down the sheet. I’m clapping along the crowd, expecting a totem pole in honor of our clan. I freeze once the sheet hits the ground.

The clapping dies down. My eyes are wide with my mouth half-hanging open. I walk closer to make sure my eyes don’t deceive me.

“Jax?” I whisper.

It’s a statue of him. Towering over ten feet above. They made him to be smiling instead of a serious expression. It’s absolutely beautiful.

There’s even a golden plaque with his name on it. Written on it is, “In honor of Jax of Big Sky. Forever here in heart and spirit”. Underneath that are the dates of his birth and death.

Tears stream down my face. I don’t care to hide them. We can finally let him rest in peace. Now he’ll always be remembered instead of just us.

Gnash pulls me into a hug. He’s sniffling away tears. From down here, I can see Mckenna wiping her face. The crowd cheers even louder.

“What do you think?” Gnash asks.

I laugh through a choked sob. “It looks just like him. He’s taller than us after all.”

“What do you think his reaction would’ve been like?”

“He’d cry like we’re doing right now. Then he’d be so embarrassed he’d hide inside his h shirt.”

The two of us look up at the statue crying like fools now. Gnash let’s go of me when Mckenna comes down from the podium. I practically run towards her to engulf her in a hug. I pick her up and twirl her around before kissing her lovingly.

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