Page 20 of Knot His Omega
What I do know is I need to get my shit together since we’re about to walk into Ma’s funeral.
The day after Ma passed, my aunt began the process of letting the town know by visiting my parents’ closest neighbor, who assured us the rest of the town would know by the end of the day. In towns such as the one I grew up in, we’ve carried over certain traditions from well before the Event. Spreading word of someone’s death is one of them.
That’s how I know when Da and I step into the church, most of the town will have turned out. It’s why we have such a large church that’s only used for funerals. It’s hard to fit thousands of people into the everyday churches.
I also know that each man from the town will wear outfits either identical or very similar to what Da and I wear. A black and gray kilt with a matching black jacket and gray waistcoat. The shirt and tie colors may vary, but most will wear the black shirt and gray tie I do, along with black ghillie brogues and kilt hose with no sporrans.
It is how we show our respect to the person who has passed. I know there are some areas where the men wear kilts in their clan-specific tartans, but in Glenmore, we like to show that we are one in the loss.
The sense of community I’ve felt since returning to Glenmore is eye-opening. This isn’t something I’ve ever felt while living in America. I think the closest I’ve felt to this is when I was onHeated, but that was with a much smaller number of people.
Maybe if I were part of a pack, I’d have this… It’s just another reminder of why I love my homeland—even if I chose to live elsewhere.
Neither I nor Da speak as the doors to the church open, the bagpipes starting up as we enter the church. Da carries the urn holding Ma’s ashes as we walk down the long center aisle, my eyes scanning across the pews full of people who knew and probably loved my ma.
She was such a people person. Everyone loves her, and she never met a stranger a day in her life. Everyone was just a new friend to be made.
Fuck. I miss her so damn much.
I take a deep breath as I try to keep the tears at bay, butwhen my eyes catch on to the video playing of her over the years, I know it’s a losing battle.
I don’t hide the tears, letting them fall down my face as we continue our march.
I dare anyone to say anything about an alpha crying at his ma’s funeral—not that any of them would. At least not in Glenmore.
When we reach the end of the aisle, we walk up the steps so Da can place the urn on the table amid the Scottish flame flowers that were her very favorites.
A glance at Da shows he’s already crying too. We each kiss the tips of our fingers before pressing them to the urn, before making our way to the front row, where Aunt Maisie and Uncle Agnus wait with their families.
The funeral passes quickly, but also feels like it’s dragging along. I tune out the minister’s words as he speaks, unable to focus on them. They mean nothing to me right now.
All four of us give eulogies before the townspeople share short memories of Ma with us. Then it’s closed with a last prayer.
“As some of you may be aware, the Abernathy family has chosen to spread Fiona’s ashes in one of her favorite places in all the world at the Glenfinnan National Park. They ask to do this in private and will not be hosting a wake, and as such, they will be available in the front hallway for anyone wishing to give their condolences.”
Which is not something I’m at all looking forward to, but I know it’s expected. I’m just glad I was able to convince Da not to do a wake or invite the entire town when we spread her ashes. The family and Ma’s closest friends will be in attendance, but that’s it.
Da and I make our way back to Ma’s urn, and this time, I’m the one who picks it up as the bagpipes play once more.We make our way back down the long aisle with Ma’s family at our back.
As soon as we’re set up to receive the attendees, they come pouring toward us. I let Da take the lead on speaking to everyone as I nod and wish I were anywhere else but here.
Until the scent of fall leaves hits my nose, and my eyes widen.
“I’m so glad the three of you could make it,” Da says as my eyes find Alora, Jordan, and Wells standing before us. “Meeting the three of you and spending the day getting to know you was such a highlight for Fiona. At that point, she was having more bad days than good, and that day was the last adventure she felt up to.”
“Alora?”
The omega’s tear-filled eyes are already on me. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Finn.”
“You knew my ma?” I’m so confused.
Da glances between the two of us. “You know Alora, Finnegan?”
Alora nods. “We met your parents right at the beginning of our vacation, but we didn’t know they were your parents. Your mother was amazing. She just swept us up, telling us all about the town and the places we needed to see. She never made us feel like we were strangers—welcoming us as friends from the first moment we spoke. I’ve never met anyone like her, and the world is a darker place without her.”
By the time she finishes, she’s sobbing, and I take a step toward her, needing to soothe her.
Only to come up short when Wells wraps her in his arms.
