CHAPTER 56

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX
Avyanna sat in the car for about twenty minutes before stepping foot in her territory, Wales to be precise. She couldn't stop thinking about the fact that the Lycan Alpha was her true mate. Those words kept on ringing inside her head like never before. She wondered if that was the main reason the Moon Goddess brought her back.
However, compared to Avyanna's past life, series of events were changing, such as; the day she died in her past life, was the day Ericson died in her second life and she had gotten a divorce without needing the help of the Lycan Alpha. Avyanna could not justify if these were good signs in her second life or not. She was expecting to be happy and fulfilled after accomplishing all these things but she couldn't understand how she felt, it was like there was an empty hole inside her that needed to be filled. She felt like something was still missing and she was yet to know what it was.
After summoning courage, she went out of her car, walking towards her pack house not trying to bring any attention to her as the people were still mourning Ericson's death.
The pack house was a shadow of what it used to be. The traces of the commotion that plagued it still laid bare in the facial expression of the people, and the turmoil that rocked the pack house could be felt in the gloom that presided. Even the clouds were a very dark and ashy blue to further complement the moody ambience of the pack house.
Jonathan noticed the Luna from a far off and he jogged towards her.
"My Luna, it's a pleasure to see you." He greeted with a nervous, yet genuine smile.
"Jonathan, how is everyone?" Avyanna asked, returning a smile and roaming her eyes around her surroundings, as if she was searching for an answer apart from the obvious one that Jonathan was going to give her.
"Trying to cope I guess. It hasn't been easy." He responded as he got the Luna's luggage from her and they walked inside the pack house.
"Has everyone decided the pack they wish to stay?" She asked, still looking around and observing the population of the pack house.
"Yes, I believe so but I just find it surprising because after the accusations they placed on your head, for ending Alpha Ericson, they all choose to stick by your side." Jonathan expressed satisfaction as he spoke, He was proud of Avyanna and how her influence and purity still commanded the people, and made people steer towards her.
"What about the Thunder banes? Who will be the next Alpha?" She asked, ending her roaming and looking at Jonathan. “I suppose it should be his Beta or any of his brothers?"
Jonathan responded without enthusiasm and concern to what ever happened to the Thunder Banes pack, "I'm not really sure, none of them are eager to take that position as Nancy won't let anyone. She has changed so much and I don't know what is going on."
"That crazy bitch! I just knew it!" Avyanna spat out hoarsely.
"I even suspect her for Ericson's death, I feel she did it so she can frame you up and turn your people against you." Jonathan whispered.
"Why isn't anyone going under Nancy's rule?" Avyanna asked again. She was so surprised because in the past life, Nancy had successfully rallied a lot of people to her favor and gained loyalty from a lot of people.
"After Ericson's death, the people have been so afraid that something bad again might happen to them. They are rest assured that no matter the side they choose when it comes to you, they can still become friends but if they fall under Nancy's rule, she might never let them have any connection with Wales anymore, and the ones that have friends and family from both packs are not willing to give that up." Jonathan spoke in detail.
"I'm glad they are smart. They are all making a good decision and I will not fail them, I promise I will get to the root of all this mess.” She spoke, more to herself than she was speaking to Jonathan. “Jonathan, I need you to do something for me." She continued.
"What is it my Luna? I have sworn my loyalty to you and I intend to keep it that way." Jonathan almost bowed as he spoke.
"I believe you. I want you to find out what the Omega is trying to do. I feel like she is up to something, maybe that's why she ended Ericson's life. Find out who she is working with as well. I need to know her accomplices in this game she is trying to play with my people." Avyanna walked towards her room.
"Okay my Luna. I guess I will stop here, I should go and prepare myself for Ericson's burial." Jonathan said as he set down the luggage that he carried. He set them down as they arrived at the door to Avyanna’s room.
"It's today?" Avyanna asked in shock.
"Yes, sorry I forgot to tell you. Vanessa had ordered that it should be done today. Also, I don't think she will want to see you either, she has been crying all day that you're the cause of her brother's death."
"I think I'll take it from here. I would like to see the royalties before the burial." Avyanna inhaled briefly, ready for whatever would happen.
"They are all in the late Alpha's room." He pointed towards the direction.
"Thank you, Jonathan, you may leave." She said as she got into her room.
She didn’t give herself the luxury for settling down and cleaning up before she set out to her late ex-husband’s room to see the royalties. It was a room that she once shared with him, but she didn’t feel a remorse or hurt for Ericson’s death that was deep enough to make her hesitant to approach the room.
She squeezed the handle and opened the door swiftly. As she poked her head into the room, she was met with the intense gaze of Vincent, Nathan, Vanessa and Will, who were weakly mourning Ericson.
Tears rolled down Avyanna's eyes when she saw her ex-husband lying down lifeless on his bed. He wasn't the best husband she asked for but they had good and cherishable memories together but after his confession at Alpha Thomas’s kingdom, she didn't know whether to believe if everything he had told and assured her was a lie or the truth. Avyanna was so much in love with Ericson, she had planned her entire life with him and she was so hell bent on making a better family with him. One thing she was instantly grateful for was that at least she knew the truth behind her parents’ death before Ericson had died.
"Murderer! What are you doing here?" Vanessa cried out as she saw Avyanna standing by the door.
"Vanessa how can you say that? You and I know how much I loved Ericson despite everything that happened." Avyanna was careful to not aggravate Vanessa the more. She was no more worried about the hurt Vanessa felt than she was worried about vindicating herself.
"Liar! This is all your fault, you left him for a Lycan Alpha, broke his heart and you divorced him again. How much more heartless can you be?" Vanessa spat out.
"Vanessa! You can't be saying such things" Will intervened.
"Vanessa, I know you're angry, but I won't allow you say what is not right, I am going to protect my name and my image." Avyanna responded in a calm tone. She wasn't surprised because she had seen this attitude in Vanessa's past life although this time around, the case was different.
"Rubbish image, after all you've done." Vanessa cut in.
"Vanessa, mind your tongue!" Avyanna shouted.
"Or what?" Vanessa returned the energy she received from the Luna.
Nathan and Will just bowed their head and occasionally raised it up to exchange glances and facial expressions in response to the raging Vanessa and Avyanna. They said nothing as Vanessa argued, they didn't want to talk during the ladies fight as men because they were very conscious of Vanessa’s hot horrible temper.
Avyanna took a deep breath before she said, "I wasn't going to say this but your brother whom you defend here killed my parents! He killed my parents!"
Everyone in the room widened their eyes and stared at Avyanna in disbelief. They had no idea what to respond to her.
“Oh please! Cut the crap, do you think I will believe you?" Vanessa was so angry.
"Of course, I expected less, after all he is your brother."
"You have no excuse for murdering my brother and I promise that you will pay for this. I don't care how many people submit to you but I can never let you rule me when my brother is in his grave." Vanessa said as she stormed out of the room.
"I think I have some convincing to do." Avyanna sighed.
Will and Vincent stared at her in disbelief. Then Will spoke, “I guess we all have our secrets.”
“Some secrets worse than the other.” Avyanna casted her gaze upon Ericson’s dead body.
“I am his beta, I would have known.” A tear almost dropped from Will’s eyes.
“I was his wife, I also should have known.” Avyanna riposted.
“Well, now he is dead and I will never be able to confirm your allegations.” Will said, his head still bowed.
“It’s whatever, it doesn't matter if anyone believes me or not, that's not what I came here for. Let’s get this burial over with.” Avyanna finalized.
****
The pack house was thrown into a thorough mourning as the public cremation of Ericson commenced.
It involved a large gathering of mourners, all of whom gathered to pay their respects to their Alpha who recently passed away. The atmosphere was somber and emotional, with many people visibly upset and tears being shed.
The cremation itself took place in the public crematorium, with the casket containing the remains of the deceased Alpha being placed in a special chamber for cremation. The mourners were allowed to watch the cremation process from a distance.
A group of four warriors carried Ericson’s dead body out of the pack house in an open casket and made a spectacle of his burial. The whole pack house was thrown into further sadness as the wildfire consumed Ericson.
Vanessa, Vincent, and Nathan, as well as the members of the pack house stood and watched as the body went up in flames. Vanessa and Vincent were filled with emotions, while Jonathan and Nathan showed no emotions, even though their hearts were wrecked.
Avyanna controlled herself from crying. The sight of Ericson going up in flames hurt her deeply; all the memories that they shared going up in flames. Even though the relationship that she shared with Ericson ended very sourly, she couldn’t deny that they had sweet moments_ sweet moments that engulfed her mind as she stared at the flames.
After the cremation, the ashes were collected and placed in an urn.
Overall, the atmosphere of the very sad public cremation burial was one of sorrow and grief, as people came together to say goodbye to someone they cared about deeply. Everyone that wept and gathered, dispersed as the cremation ceremony was concluded, except Avyanna.
She remained to whisper her final words to the ashes of Ericson. When everyone was away, she was comfortable with letting a few tear drops escape her eyes. She hovered over the urn that contained his ashes, before she took it away.
Avyanna carried it to the lakeside at the far end of the pack house that she rarely went to and no one really visited there as well. She hugged he urn and said, "I know you wronged me but I want you to rest in peace, so I forgive you, Alpha Ericson."
She then poured out its content and watched the last of Ericson go poof!