Page 125 of Knot my Alphas

It’s a marble rendition of a soldier with his head bowed down. An expression of extreme sorrow is lined on his stone face. He holds a rifle in his right hand but it’s pointing downward. A broken helmet and a sword lie at his feet.

The space around the statue is filled with strewn flower petals and more flags.

Chairs are arranged in a half-circle around the monument.

Our soldiers walk ahead and fill them. People in different uniforms are dotted among the sea of black. Several women in elegant dresses accompany the men from other packs who’ve come to pay their respects.

I spot Caleb and Gerald in the far distance as they speak with a group of men in maroon and gold uniforms. Halting in my footsteps, I stare at them all.

“Do you recognize them?” Julian asks in a hushed voice.

“They’re from the Burton Pack. That man,” I say, pointing to the leader of the group. “He’s my uncle. The younger men behind him...they’re my cousins.”

A deep yearning to talk to them rises within me.

“Do you want to introduce yourself to them?” Julian whispers.

I shake my head despite the deep desire to know my real family. “Not today,” I say, looking away. “Not until we’ve dealt with Callahan and proved that he’s behind my parents’ murder.”

Julian wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me into a hug.

I cling to him, soaking up his warmth.

“Come on, let’s go,” he whispers in my ear. “Caroline looks like she’s ready to stab the two of us.”

Breaking away, I see Caroline sitting in one of the chairs and frowning at us. She’s wildly gesturing for us to take the two empty seats beside her.

Exhaling a sigh, I walk forward but stop again.

Nox Callahan is seated in the row right behind her. As if he’s aware of my presence, he turns around to stare at me, letting his dirty gaze rake all over me.

“I’m right beside you,” Julian says, holding my hand in a firm grip. “He won’t dare lay a hand on you with so many people around.”

“He doesn’t deserve to be here,” I hiss as Julian leads me forward. “He’s the reason we’ve lost so many good, loyal soldiers.”

Julian’s jaw is set in a hard line. His violet eyes have turned a shade darker. His rage is hot and swift but he’s controlling it amazingly well. “He’ll pay for every single life that he’s taken,” Julian grinds through clenched teeth.

Julian and I settle down beside Caroline.

“You shouldn’t be loitering around when the ceremony is about to start,” Caroline hisses.

Looking around, I see that most of the guests have been seated. The Burtons are filling up the chairs at the front. Caleb is sitting among them while Gerald has moved to stand on a raised podium.

“Welcome to Solveig Pack’s two hundred and seventy-seventh Martyrs’ Day celebrations,” Gerald announces, his voice booming across the grounds. “Please join me in honoring our brave soldiers who’ve sacrificed their lives so that we and our children can thrive today.”

His declaration is met with deafening roars and cheers.

I try to concentrate on what Gerald is saying but my mind refuses to divert itself from the presence behind me.

Callahan is seated right behind me. Breathing the same air as him makes my insides boil with rage and disgust. My fingers dig into my thighs as I suppress the urge to turn around and throttle him for what he’s done to me and all the innocents who died because of his sick obsession.

The sudden loud beating of drums breaks me out of my vengeful thoughts.

“Look over there!” Julian cries out, jumping up from his seat. An adoring look washes over his beautiful face as he smiles broadly.

“Julian, sit down!” Caroline hisses. “Mind your manners! Everyone’s staring at you!”

Looking in the distance, I notice that a parade is coming our way. The beat of loud drums accompanies their coordinated moves. Bright sunshine gleams over the soldiers and their weapons as they march toward us.

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