Chapter 49

Chapter 49

The territory in the north, west and east was being successfully cleaned up since the war ended right around sun up. It was becoming a long, gruesome and tiring day for everyone. Alpha Johnathon and Timber were thankful it was only through the long night and did not stretch on for days as they feared it would.

The warriors who fought, were more than prepared for this type of conflict, and the added support from the other supernatural communities made them that much more stronger. After the killing of Shamira and Jonas, the enemy fought blindly and without the extra magical push they gave in the background.

The vampires however, were not able to assist with the piling up and cleaning of the rogue bodies due to the sun shining brightly overhead, as if to mock them. The good thing about the sun being out was any and all dead vampires automatically caught fire and burned themselves to ash. Something the wolves, Faes and Dragon shifters were thankful for. That was much less to clean up were their thoughts.

There was a burning near each border for any and all rogue supernaturals that met their timely end. Beta Andrew had organized the burning in each section, making sure everyone was aware through the pack’s mind link, as he stayed at the Western border for assistance since he originally fought there.

Elder Petroff assisted on the Eastern Border, while Luna Timber went with Alpha Johnathon to the Northern, since it was the farthest from the main part of the property. He gave orders to all those who stayed, to assist in the burning the best they could.

All those who were placed in safe houses, were just that. Safe. The fight never made it to them, which in itself was a great victory. Andreas waited for the Alpha’s call to send more warriors, or the call that they were needed in the main part of the packs’ territory. But it never came. He was informed however, that the battle was over.

When the news finally reached him, those standing nearby celebrated with him openly. At the request of Alpha Johnathon, Andreas sent the ready waiting warriors that were on standby north bound to assist with clean up, and around the rest of the territory.

The omegas were given orders to prepare for the departure celebration which included a special inground fire pit that was ten feet wide and twenty feet deep, earthy incense and lots of blue mini-lights to adorn the path to the firepit. And of course, there was lots and lots of alcohol.

Once warriors made their way through the territory from the south, some were stationed on the main pack grounds to help the omegas dig the fire pit needed. Those that continued up and outward, helped dig the ditches for those being burned as enemies of the pack.

The bodies being burned at the borders took almost five hours to completely burn out into ash, after more help came to make the pits large enough. The Fae’s and Fairies who stayed to help with the aftermath each helped to create an accelerant to burn the bodies faster since there were so many and time was running short.

Layana had made sure the witches that had given their lives freely, were taken back to their respective covens for a proper send off, and to be placed in their ancestral resting places. As she stood on the platform in front of her home, each coven leader came to see if they had someone to claim. Each of the covens within the whole had multiple people attending their ceremony to pay respects and help bring them into ancestral peace.

Layana called out the name of each fallen sister one at a time. Projecting her voice so all who gathered around knew the courage they had fought and died with. She honored each of them by telling of their bravery, recounting their lives and ending with giving thanks for those same lives. It was a heartfelt, yet sorrow filled sight for the witch community.

Sounds of wailing from loved ones were heard as she spoke out their names. Layana called each name out with a broken, yet prideful heart at their display of heroism the night before.

She had wished Andrew could have been there with her. To give her emotional strength. But she knew he had to stay and help his own pack with the aftermath the war left behind. It didn’t make it easier though. Mayra just whined and whimpered in her head the whole time they were apart. Crying out for their mate. Wondering if he was OK. Layana’s wolf was even more draining than her own grief over all of those who had fallen, as she felt responsible for the part she played in what had taken place.

~~~~~

Deprivation was moving through the territory in waves as they tried to stay civil with each other. Alpha Johnathon had to leave the North periodically to break up a few overly exhausted warriors who lost their cool with each other.

‘Andrew, how is clean up going at the Western Border?’ Andrew heard Alpha Johnathon speak through his mind.

‘It's going. We have actually just finished with the rogue burning and are about ready to bring back our fallen. Is there any way you or Luna Timber could help with the transportation?’ Andrew sighed quietly as he started his reply. Fatigue started to overwhelm his body, but he wouldn’t let anyone know that. He needed to be the strong, head warrior Beta he was known to be.

‘Yeah I or Timber will be there as soon as we can. The North is in shambles. Have you heard from Layana? Any news with the covens?’ Alpha Johnathon inquired. He knew Layana could also assist with transporting multiple bodies at once. Her help would make the trips a lot less since she could do it in one sweep for each border.

‘No not yet. She was doing their send off with the other covens before coming back. I’m confident she’ll be back soon though.’ Andrew responded, hopeful.

‘Alright. Let me know if she shows up before we get there. We are finishing up in the North, then we’ll be right over.’ reassuring him help was coming and to hold tight until then. Alpha Johnathon knew their delay would give them the rest needed until they returned to the pack house.

As the last of the fallen had been finally transported back to the main grounds Alpha Johnathon gave order for those who fought the night before to go home and rest before the celebration that night. The only warriors to be seen were the ones sent over from the South. They watched over the pack and made sure rogues or anything else tried to penetrate their territory.

As the sun threatened to set, the Vampires had started to show some movement as everyone started to stir from sleep. Alpha Johnathon was moving around his living quarters getting dressed while Timber was finishing her shower.

“Alpha? The vampires are out and about.” there was a knock on his suite door.

“Are any other of our guests moving yet?” he questioned as he opened the door. Standing intimidatingly, arms crossed over his chest.

“Yes Alpha. The Fae Elder and the Dragon shifters that remained have started to wander out from their cabins.” one of the newer warriors said. His words activated a head nod from him.

“Have you seen Beta Andrew yet?” still questioning him. Or more like interrogating the poor guy. Alpha Johnathon knew he was new and was doing it on purpose to see how far he could take it before the warrior started to sweat.

“Uh, no sir, Alpha.” he barely got the words out, while Alpha Johnathon stood there expressionless.

“Oh leave that poor guy alone Johnathon!” Timber scolded as she came up behind him peeking her head from around his arms. Soliciting a little smirk to form on the Alpha’s face as he looked down at her.

“Thank you for your report. You may leave.” She said with a smile dragging him back into the room while shutting the door behind them.

“You take all the fun out of scaring the newbies. You know that right?” He said as a lone eyebrow raised and a smirk played on his face again. She just tilted her head to the side and smiled before reaching up and kissing his playful lips.

Grabbing her waist he pulled her closer to himself to deepen it. She allowed herself to be fully immersed into his passionate embrace entwining her fingers at the back of his neck playing with his hair.

‘Alpha. Layana has returned. Are we ready for the departure celebration tonight?’ he heard his Beta say through their link.

Giving a growl from his chest he removed his lips from his Luna’s. The withdrawal left them feeling lonely and wanting more. Placing his forehead on hers, he inhaled her scent deeply before nodding his head as if she knew why.

‘Yes Beta. Everything is ready to go. Did everything go alright for her people?’ He inquired while taking Timber’s hand disappearing to the main grounds where the fire pit had been made.

“Alpha. Luna.” Andrew nodded as he addressed their sudden appearance next to him.

“Yes Alpha Johnathon and Luna Timber, the releasing of their spirits to the ancestral resting place was beautiful, although sad. Thank you for asking.” Layana spoke up answering the question he had asked Andrew in the link.

“Now that everyone is here!” Alpha Johnathon started as he stood addressing the pack. “Tonight! We will celebrate the lives of our departed! These fine warriors gave their lives for the wellbeing and safety of the pack! They deserve all our respect and gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice!” Alpha Johnathon started.

Everyone was there to give their respects to the fallen warriors. Even the Vampires, Dragon Shifters and Faes who were still there participated.

“Although there could have been more lost lives last night! We were lucky to have lost only thirty men! Those mens’ lives however! Were not lost in vain! Each man is a member of our pack. A member of our family. Some had mates and pups to care for… while some were still waiting on those mates!” His voice rang through the night air as he spoke. Nodding over to an omega, oils and incense were brought over to the pit.

“These oils and incense will protect their wolves in the next life as the Moon Goddess sees fit to allow for reincarnation! We will see them again!” with those words oils and incense were strategically poured over their bodies as cheers and howls were heard throughout.

“Now! We will celebrate their lives with drinking and laughter! TO OUR FALLEN!” more roars rang out as the pit was lit on fire. Smoke and smells of sweet aroma filled the air.

“TO OUR FALLEN!!” echoes were heard as those surrounding the fire pit chanted those words over and over.