Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Graves’ Farewell

~Anna~

“… and I’m getting married now,” I said to mother and father. After discussing with Alpha Flynn, he permitted me to move their graves to my pack’s territory.

I’d forgiven him, but there was no fixing what had been done. We were on good terms, but we could never be what we used to be. We were simply Alphas, who recognized each other’s strengths and respected each other’s status.

He had to accept it and move on, with his mate. They seemed to look after each other, and with the way he looked at her, I could tell she wouldn’t go through the same I did. Besides, they had already marked each other.

After Alpha Fraser passed away, the New Moon Pack was formed. Now, news of their pack helping those in need from other packs was gaining recognition.

Flynn did those things, but he deserved to be happy, too. Farrell deserved to be happy. And if they were happy with Salina, I wasn’t one to judge. Somehow, she seemed different when she was around him.

The cold wind made me shiver. It had been peaceful lately…

I smiled at their graves. Now, they laid side by side, all three of them.

“I miss you all.”

I hugged my knees to my chest as I watched the candles burn. It was a windy afternoon. I closed my eyes, listening to the swaying trees, the shouts of warriors doing training, and the giggles and laughter of the children that played near the training grounds. I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the chilling bite of the wind that messed up my hair.

My favorite scent, along with the calculated steps of someone creeping up behind me made me smile.

“I wish you were here,” I whispered.

The wind blew harder. I felt hands on my shoulders, and someone kiss my forehead. “Bella,” whispered distinct voices. I snapped my eyes open and looked around. The wind had died down into a soft breeze.

“Almost got you!” exclaimed Liam.

I looked around again.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, coming up beside me.

“No,” I said, smiling up at him. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a meeting with the Waning Moon Pack?”

He shrugged. “They asked to reschedule. And besides, I missed you,” he said as he pulled me to my feet.

“I’ve been gone for five hours, not five years,” I said, rolling my eyes. He hugged me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“Thank you for gifting the world with the most amazing woman. I promise to love her and cherish her and worship her for all our years.”

I leaned back into him for a quick kiss. “Was that Liam or Luca?”

“What’s the difference?” he asked, raising a brow.

“Nothing,” I sang. I didn’t expect Luca to be, well, the cheesier one between them. Our wolves were usually more aggressive and instinct-based.

“You’re cold,” he said, taking my hands. He took off his jacket and let me wear it while he suffered from the cold.

“Mm… so warm and nice,” I said, blowing into my hands. It was fun seeing him shiver as the winds picked up again. I deliberately walked slower, covering my mouth with a hand, and biting on my lip to hold myself from laughing.

“Ah!” I yelped when he suddenly carried me. “You have to stop doing that!”

It felt like a whoosh and a wash every time he used his speed on me.

He pouted. “You’re being slow on purpose. Do you want me to freeze over?”

I shook my head slowly, giggling.

“You’re going to be the end of me. What’s the Alpha position doing to you?”

“Nothing,” I said, raising my shoulders. “I’m learning to order people around?”

It was weird having to issue orders on the simplest matters, but Carson and Uncle Andrix had been very supportive and patient. Soon, Uncle Andrix would be retiring, be replaced by Chuck.

At times, I’d ask Liam for advice. He was amazing at this sort of thing.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was the assets that both the Red Claw Pack and the Black Mist Pack had in the human world. I shook my head to remove the mental image of the list. Supernaturals had a lot to hide.

His pace quickened. I stared at his face and admired the view. Beautiful thick lashes, a perfect nose, and soft, thin lips. I hugged his waist, making sure to feel his abs in the process, just because.

“Babe,” I said, resting my head on his chest and taking in his scent. He responded with a hmm. “You’re not that hot.”

His laughter cut through the howling winds, the vibrations on his chest traveling to my cheek.

“And yet your eyes fuck me every day,” he said, and I laughed with him. “And don’t think I don’t catch you staring at my ass.”

He smirked.

“You do it, too!” I exclaimed, crossing my arms.

He stopped laughing and the next thing I felt was my back against a tree.

“Are you purposefully turning me on?” he growled as he took my hand let me feel just how hard he was. I bit my lower lip and moved my hand, making him hiss. His warm breath fanned my face as my heart raced in my chest. Then I remembered where we were.

“Liam!” I shrieked. “Have some respect. We’re in a graveyard!”

“Then we better hurry out of here cause I’m not waiting any longer,” he said, throwing me across his shoulder this time. “Enjoy the view.”

“Oh, Liam!” I exclaimed, laughing.

“That’s right,” he drawled, making me laugh harder.

I love you so, so much.

I raised my head to look back at their graves. I waved at them as if they were waving back at me.

I found my happiness, Mother, Father Emery, Father Aiden. I found my home.