Chapter 70-The Following Day

Near the cabin, looking over the pack’s land, I place a bouquet of white calla lilies at the base of the wooden cross that now marks the final resting place of Dad and his mate, Teresa. Tears stream down my face as I think back to the ceremony we held for them this morning, and I kiss my hand and place it on the cross.
“Love you, Dad. I hope you’ve found peace with your mate. Tell Daddy I love him,” I cry.
I wipe the tears from my face as I stand and turn to look out over the Blood-Moon territory. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to keep warm from the cold and take a deep breath as I try to calm down. So much has happened in the last few months, and I haven’t had time to sit back and process any of it properly.
I’m Alpha, and this is my territory to protect now. It still feels surreal.
Flashbacks of the last few days fill my mind, and I close my eyes and try to block everything out, especially the horrors of last night. The memory of us all silently sobbing as we watched an entire pack burn on the pyre will haunt me for the rest of my days.
Enyo whimpers as she comes forward and lifts our head towards the sky, letting out a heart-wrenching howl that can be heard for miles around. The pain of losing so many pack members and lycans recently can be felt in the howls that carry on the wind as others howl with her.
When she’s finished, she whimpers as she retreats to the back of my mind and puts up the wall that keeps me out. I’ve barely felt her since last night, and I miss the comfort that she usually provides. The only one that seems to coax her out is Ares. I can feel their bond getting stronger every day while my bond with Andreas appears to be at a standstill.
Exhaustion washes over me, and I can’t help yawning. The little bit of sleep I have been getting has been plagued by nightmares. And when it’s not me having nightmares, I’m woken by Andreas’s screams from his nightmares.
I wish I could take him away from here, away from all the violence. But the sad reality is, even if I wasn’t Alpha, I don’t think there is anywhere that would be safe for us.
I hear a twig snap behind me, and I turn to find Tony walking along the narrow path.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Alpha, but Alpha Pollux called. He and his pack will be here on Christmas eve.”
“Christmas eve?” I ask, confused. “That’s weeks away.”
“It’s in four days, Alpha,” he says.
“Shit,” I say, rubbing my face. “I didn’t realize.”
“There’s been a lot happening,” Tony says.
“It’s no excuse. I haven’t organized anything for the pack.”
“Are there traditions you usually follow?” He asks.
“We usually decorate the tree in the middle of the playground with the pack kids. We also have a feast on Christmas eve, then a pack run,” I explain.
“We can get that sorted, Alpha. I’ll get everyone together, and we can decorate the tree tonight.”
“Thank you, Tony,” I smile and hug him.
I hear a low growl from behind Tony and look up to see Andreas with an angry scowl on his face.
“Get. The fuck. Off. My. Mate,” Andreas growls again.
Tony spins around and snarls back at Andreas. “What the fuck is your problem?”
“My problem is you being alone with my mate,” Andreas growls at him.
“You may be her mate, but you’re not her keeper,” Tony snarls.
Andreas slowly stalks toward Tony. “How long have you been in love with my mate, Tony?”
“What?” Tony asks, momentarily stunned.
“Andreas, enough!” I yell at him, but he continues.
“I will kill you if you try to take her from me,” he says menacingly.
“She’s just a friend! I swear!” Tony says, taking a step backward and baring his neck in submission.
“You’re giving up your Gamma position, and you’re going to tell me you’re not in love with her? Admit it, you just want to get closer to her.”
“I made a vow to her to fight by her side for as long as she’d have me. That’s all!”
“Andreas! Seriously! Enough!” I yell at him.
“You’re going to take his side?” He asks angrily, now scowling at me.
“I will when you’re being an ass! What the fuck has gotten into you?” I ask.
“You seriously expect me to believe that nothing happened between you two while I was gone?”
“Yes! Your mate was in mourning! She thought you were dead! And even through all of that, she has shown nothing but strength and loyalty to the people she cares about. I respect her, that’s all! And besides, I’m in love with Leah!”
“Leah? Really?!” I ask, surprised but momentarily excited.
“Yes, Alpha. Remember at the mate ball when I asked you about chosen mates?”
“Oh my Goddess, you have to tell her!” I squeal.
“You’re lying!” Andreas yells, bringing our attention back to him.
“Enough of this!” I yell. “Tony, go and talk to Beta Ryna about the tree decorations,” I order him while glaring at Andreas.
“Yes, Alpha,” he says and starts walking toward the path, keeping an eye on Andreas, who is following his every move.
When Andreas can no longer see Tony, he turns his attention back to me.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on with you, but this jealousy crap needs to stop,” I say with a snarl.
“I was missing for nearly two months, and you never came looking for me. Now I have to think that it has to do with you and Tony,” he says angrily.
I stride towards him angrily and slap him hard across the face, and he holds his cheek in surprise.
“You fucking told me you understood why I didn’t come looking for you,” I snarl at him. “I thought about you every day you were gone. The only reason I got through any of it was because of the support from the pack, including Tony, who was there to protect me when you weren’t!” I yell at him, a growl escaping as I huff.
His demeanor suddenly changes, and his face softens. “I’m sorry, Angel. I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he sighs as he rubs his face.
“You need to speak to Doctor Andrews, Andreas. He stayed to help all of you through this,” I tell him softly, calming down and placing my hand on his cheek.
“I’m not one to lie on a couch and spew my feelings, Athena.”
“You’ve been through a lot, Andreas. Hell, we all have. Maybe we can speak to him together?”
“No. I know what I need, Athena. I don’t need to talk to a shrink. I need us to mark each other,” he says sadly, his head dropping in defeat. “Knowing you’re not wearing my mark is killing me.”
My heart quickens, and I take a step back from him. “There’s just too much going on right now,” I whisper. “I’m not sure either of us is ready.”
“Everything that’s happened should be why we don’t wait, Athena. Our mate bond strengthens us. And if anything was to happen to either of us, at least we’d know. They wouldn’t have an advantage over us,” he says. “And I’m more than ready, baby. I need the world to know that you are mine, and I am yours,” he says, closing the gap between us and tucking my hair behind my ear.
I swallow hard as he places his forehead on mine, his breath fanning my face as he holds the back of my neck.
“What’s holding you back? You’ve been dodging this since I got back.”
“Andreas,” I whisper, closing my eyes, trying to fight the pull of the bond. “I’m scared,” I admit to him. “If I lose you again, the mate bond will kill me.”
“Don’t be scared, Angel,” Andreas whispers. “You’re never going to lose me again. Take the leap with me.”
I hear a small whimper in the back of my mind as Enyo drops the wall between us.
‘Dad died with his mate in his arms before he got the chance to love her. Denying the bond is hurting us, Athena. They were made for us, and us for them. You can’t let the fear of losing them hold us back.’
‘She’s right,’ I think to myself. Why am I fighting this? Why am I letting fear control this part of my life?
I open my eyes and look into his, and every insecurity, doubt, and fear melts away as the love in his eyes washes over me, warming me to my core.
I take a deep, shaky breath and whisper, “Okay.”