Chapter 144

Ava

The crackling flames began to lick hungrily at the bottom of the pyre. Smoke billowed around us, the scent of burning oak and sage thick in the air. My eyes stung, but I blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay.

Today, on this beautiful, sunny, warm day, our dear Degas would leave this world. In just a few short hours, his pyre would burn away his flesh and bones. According to werewolf culture, he would join the Moon Goddess in her private court in another realm, the place where all Elders were said to go.

But on the outside, it was just a funeral. A chance to say goodbye. An attempt to make ourselves feel better about the fact that none of us would ever, ever see him again.

Beside me, Beatrice stepped forward. She had a small box containing her father’s most prized possession clutched in her trembling hands—the engagement ring he had given Beatrice’s mother many years ago. His one true love, and the woman he had talked about right up until his very last breath.

According to Beatrice, right before Degas had passed, he had sat up abruptly and called out his wife’s name. In Beatrice’s words, he had reached for something—or someone—that no one else could see, and then he had smiled, laid back down, and shut his eyes forever.

Wherever he went, whether it was with the Moon Goddess or into oblivion, I hoped that he was with her.

A heavy silence had fallen over the gathered crowd as we all watched Beatrice approach the pyre with slow, hesitant steps. Her hands shook as she walked up the path to the pyre, but no one said a word, not wanting to rush her at this moment.

Sighing, I clutched her smallest daughter, Ivy, who was only two years old, closer to my chest. Ivy reached her tiny hand out for her mother, but pulled back as though understanding what was happening.

“Elder Degas,” Beatrice finally began, her voice clear and loud despite the way it trembled. “You were a guiding light for our pack, a pillar of wisdom and strength throughout the centuries.”

She swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the small wooden box containing the ring. The air was silent, save for the sound of the flames whipping in the air—even the animals in the nearby forest had gone quiet as though in mourning.

Finally, she turned and faced us again.

“My father counseled me through my darkest times, helped me find my way when I felt lost…” A tear slipped down her cheek, catching the flickering firelight and glinting for a moment before she quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand. “I’ll always be grateful for his kindness, his patience…”

As Beatrice spoke, she lifted the box in her hands. “This was his most treasured possession,” she murmured. “My father never cared much for material things, but this was the one keepsake that he never let out of his sight. My mother’s engagement ring.”

With utmost care, she opened the box and pulled the small ring out. The opal on the band caught the firelight much like her tear did. She held it up, letting the crowd see it, before she turned and placed the ring on top of Degas’s still chest. She let her palm linger there for a moment before she took a step back and bowed her head.

“I pray the Moon Goddess accepts this humble offering and welcomes you into her eternal court with open arms, Father.” Her voice cracked on the last word. “May you find peace in the afterlife.”

She clasped her hands together then, and the rest of us did the same.

“To Degas!” Chris’s voice rang out over the solemn crowd. “An honorable man, respected Elder, and dear friend.”

A chorus of somber prayers rippled through the gathered pack members before we all bowed our heads and observed a moment of silence. Soon, the flames began to lick up Degas’s robe, the vibrant fabric catching fire and sending brilliant red embers flying into the sky.

…

The town square was dead silent as we all gathered. There was a long feast table laden with food and drink for the memorial service, but no one touched it. I certainly couldn’t eat a bite, and the thought of alcohol just made me sick, although I knew that Degas would have wanted us to feast for him.

Chris, clearing his throat, stepped up to the podium and raised his glass.

“I know these past few days have been… tumultuous for our pack,” he stated, eyeing the crowd. “Between Degas’s tragic death, the chaos wrought by those who would harm us… And our precious moonstone…”

I tensed at the mention of the Moonstone, my chest tightening. Beside me, Leonard stiffened too, his eyes cutting toward me briefly. The pack began to shift uncomfortably, murmurs working their way through the crowd.

“I will be frank with all of you,” Chris continued, ignoring the murmurs. “Moonbite powder has been distributed by an outside source with ill intent for our pack. A hooded figure has been operating within our borders, threatening some of our own to gain their compliance.”

Murmurs of shock and outrage rolled through the crowd at his words. Chris raised his hand for silence.

“But I assure you, we are doing everything in our power to locate these individuals and bring them to justice.” His piercing green gaze swept over the crowd. “As for the Moonstone…”

I felt Leonard tense further beside me, a muscle in his jaw ticking. I glanced up at him, and our gazes met. Chris hadn’t officially announced that the moonstone had gone missing yet, although I supposed it was finally time.

Sucking in a sharp breath, Chris admitted, “Our moonstone was stolen by my sister, Olivia, several weeks ago. It’s why a blight has been affecting our lands.”

A collective gasp rose up, followed by a surge of angry shouting and cries of disbelief. Chris held up his hand again for silence, but it took several long moments for the uproar to die down enough for him to speak again.

“I know this is distressing news,” he said once the din had subsided somewhat. “But I promise you, Olivia will be dealt with accordingly. And in the meantime, we must focus on restoring Moonstone to its former peace and prosperity.”

He scanned the crowd again, his shoulders rising and falling again with a deep inhale—clearly trying to steady himself.

“Speaking of which… I have finally chosen a new Luna to stand by my side and help lead us into this new era.”

My heart stopped in my chest. Was he…?

For a moment, my eyes flickered over the crowd, who were looking on with curiosity, and then over at Ophelia and Leonard, and then, finally, at the Elders in their black robes. Elise stood at the forefront, her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed.

Some part of me wanted to run—to get the hell out of here, hide somewhere far, far away from all these prying eyes.

But I couldn’t. Today was a day of truths. No more hiding the reality of the situation from our people.

“Ava,” Chris said, his tone softening as his gaze met mine. “You are the embodiment of strength, compassion, and grace. You inspire loyalty in all those around you.” Slowly, he extended his hand toward me.

“Would you do me the greatest honor of becoming my Luna?”

The square fell utterly silent. All eyes turned to me, and all I could do was stand there, frozen in place.