Last of her Pack

Chapter 9

 And we did just that. We sat around the fire, filling our bellies with the vast array food in front of us. Heather ate more than both of us men. Her only excuse was, 'I'm starving, and its my favorite.' She devoured a whole bowl of potatoes by herself, before even touching anything else. Eridanus just smiled at her, chuckling at her antics while muttering under his breath, "The only was she will ever eat side pork." I stared at him, but he only met my eyes with that mischievous glimmer.

They are definitely from the same family alright.

Heather's POV

Weeks had passed by since I woke up from my coma. Mateo and I had been working out our differences more, and I can finally say I was comfortable. I came to learn that Mateo ordered the master builders to make a trail between Riverstone Pack and Eridanus Pack. He even asked them to build a list of buildings with only the materials the pioneers used, and the trees they cleared making the path. Unbeknownst to them, they were making the path in the same area my clearing is. 

In the weeks that have passed I also noticed that gramps had become more frail. He was succumbing to his age, but a smile never left his face. I was currently packing up some things into the wagon, while Mateo was at work. I knew he would be home soon, as he was coming with gramps and I for the week. I appreciated it, because he was my support person now, my mate. I loaded the last item into the wagon, before turning to face grandfather. "Ready to go old man?" I asked him, my tone trying to be playful. 

"Take me home Heather." was all he said. I nodded while helping him get into the wagon. I strapped my grandfather in, covered him in a blanket and hopped back out. I kicked my sandals off that I was wearing and placed them into the back.  I saw Mateo jogging up the drive. He was wearing a pair of red running shorts, a plain black t-shirt that hugged his muscles, and a pair of black running shoes. All in all, he looked handsome, like he did everyday. I was only wearing a pair of short black sports shorts, and a blue sports bra. I must look like a fool compared to him.

I attached myself to the wagon, asking gramps if he was comfortable. The response I got was 'go dogs go', oh how he likes to quote Dr. Suess. We set of, heading down the drove and through town. Pack members stopped to see us off, some waving goodbye, some bowing as we passed, and others just watching us leave. Mateo kept my pace as we jogged through town. But once I hit the other side of the gate, I was off and running in a sprint, in the direction of home.

We had been running for hours, and I was nowhere near tired. Mateo still kept in time with me, which I was grateful for. I usually ran with my head down, but right now I was looking straight ahead. I saw the town gates of Eridanus, and I knew we weren't far from home. "Were almost home Gramps!" I called behind behind. I pushed my legs to run harder, wanting to cross the threshold of family territory. Within seconds of me increasing speed I was on the other side of the gate, I was home. I slowed my fast pace down, taking a good look at my territory. 

I was alpha of this land now, and the construction of the new houses were underway. Three had been build so far, and they looked so cozy. I then noticed something else. There, in the middle of what would be town square again, was the swan fountain. I pulled the wagon over to it, wanting to look at it closer. At the base of the swan was plaque. It read 'In memory of all the fallen pack members. May the new Alpha Heather lead this pack into greatness and keep her family in her heart.'  I teared up at the words. I looked around some more, but not really moving. It was hard knowing that as of Monday, my grandpa would take his last breath. As of Tuesday, Mateo and I would bury him beside his mate, and then on Friday we would head back home. 

As if Mateo knew what was going through my head, I felt his arm go around waist. He undid the harness before pulling me into his large arms. "It will be okay. I'm right here. I will be right by your side when you need me." He whispered in my ear. I just hugged him back tightly, before realizing that I hadn't checked on gramps. He was awfully quiet as well. I pulled away from Mateo reluctantly. I went to the back of the wagon, opened the door and climbed in. I made my way over to gramps, starting to have a bad feeling about his silence. What I saw next tore my heart into millions of pieces. 

Gramps was slumped over in his seat, his eyes were closed but he had a smile on his face. His chest wasn't rising, and when I touched his hand, it was ice cold. I backed away from him, tears rapidly falling down my wind burned cheeks. I fell out of the wagon, everything around me came in a blur. I couldn't see, I couldn't hear, I just went numb. I knew a hear wrenching scream left my lips before my senses went blank. 

My mind was reeling, but nothing made sense anymore. I thought grandpa said he had a month. I did the math, it was supposed to be April 5th, not April 1st. Unless he meant one month left from the starting of march. I grabbed my head in shock, rocking myself back and forth. I never got my goodbye hug, I never got to actually say goodbye. I felt like he was just ripped away from me. He left me to soon. I still had something to ask him, and now I'll never get to the know the answer. 

He left me alone. I was alone. All alone.