Page 71 of The Wolf's Prince
Soren's gaze was fixed on him with admiration and gratitude.
He smiled softly and Nikolai had to swallow back tears.
Maybe Soren didn't know that it went both ways. He would do anything for his alpha. Yes, even jump off a mountain if the tables were turned.
When Jin’s body was ready, Nikolai realized that the sheet of wood he laid atop doubled for the bottom of a casket.
He stood back and watched, his heart aching as sides and a top were hammered into place, sealing him within.
He hadn't known what to expect from a shifter funeral. It seemed he was being given a first-row seat to a crash course in their culture. Instead of feeling out of place though, Nikolai only wanted to keep up and continue learning and understanding them more.
The omegas all stepped back, forming a line. Soren stood then, the other Alphas following suit as he approached the casket.
A group of them surrounded it, but before they could lift it, a voice from the back spoke up.
“I should be moving him. It is my right to stand with you.”
To Nikolai's shock, both Eri and Kamon were already there. He hadn't noticed them being brought over. They wore collars around their necks with thick chains that hung off of each, both held at the end by other alphas.
They both looked ragged, sunburned, and sweaty. Eri wouldn't look up, but Kamon glared in Soren's direction.
“The strongest alphas lift him to his final resting place,” he spat. “That means me.”
“Not when they have been shamed, by the pack,” Soren finally said. “You will not make a scene during Alpha Jin's final time with us, a time when we are meant to celebrate his life. If you insist on it, you will be returned to the wall.”
Kamon looked around furiously, clearly expecting someone to defend him.
When no one did, he gritted his teeth and remained silent.
As one, the alphas turned back to the task at hand, carefully lifting the casket onto their shoulders.
A procession formed. The alphas led, and the omegas followed. At the very back, Eri and Kamon were led on their chains.
Nikolai could hear a quiet grumble from their direction, but a sudden yank of the chains had them quieting.
Just as good.
Nikolai respected Soren's decision to have them there, but he didn’t like it either. It felt odd to invite the person who wanted Jin gone for his own gains.
He shook the thought away, choosing to trust his mate. Soren knew more about what was expected amongst the wolves than Nikolai did and that was all that mattered. He would support him no matter what.
The ceremony was surprisingly quiet and beautiful and completely unexpected.
There were grassy mounds in the valley that Nikolai had taken no notice of until they drew close to one and Nikolai saw a small door made of stone.
The alphas stood before it, holding the casket with unwavering strength, and faced the pack.
The beta who had been so adept at playing the instruments stepped forward.
“A moment of silence for our pack alpha,” she said and lifted a wooden flute to her lips.
As she played a beautiful, melancholy tune, everyone bowed their heads, listening and remembering.
Even barely having known the man, Nikolai was overwhelmed with emotions. He could only imagine how Soren felt.
As the song drew to a close, he looked up at Soren, finding him standing with his head leaning against the wood he held, his eyes squeezed shut.
It took him longer than anyone to force them open again, and when he did, tears fell free.
