Your Ring On My Skeleton

Epilogue : His Name

Two weeks have passed and the memory of Nikolai where he left me and our home is still fresh in my mind. Here I am now in front of the Fera homes' Alpha, Quenshin, together with his Luna. Just like what Nikolai commanded me to do, I burned his body, and his ashes is to be given to his father. Though he also commanded that he do not want me to grieve, two weeks is still a short time for me to acknowledge his death. I still cannot accept it, yet I have to be strong. Ngayong nasa harapan na ako ng kaniyang ama't ina kasama ang kanilang Zeta wolf na nakabantay at nararamdaman ko rin ang presensya ng mga lobo sa iba't ibang bahagi ng Fera homes, I feel weirdly safe.

"You do not need any Zeta nor a warrior wolf to protect you here." Quenshin said. "He vowed to protect you with all his life. He made sure you will be forever safe in our territory."

"What do you mean?"

"You do not need to know what he did and the wounds he voluntarily get just to ensure your safety."

"He said that I should give his ashes to you." I just said then handed him the little jar. Noong una ay halos ayaw ko pa iyong bitawan dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako handa ngunit inagaw na iyon sa akin ni Quenshin. "Take good care of my Alpha."

"Go. I still believe that you are unlucky. Look at what happened to my son,"

"Kung sa iyo ay malas ako, bakit ninyo hinayaang maging Luna ako ni Nikolai? You were there the night he asked for a territorial battle and won. You were there when he chose me and that was not a good omen for you. You even stood with us that night Alphas came running and threatening us."

"That was his dying wish. That was his last happiness he want to fulfill. To protect you, Antara."

"You knew...he was dying his whole life?"

"I might view you as a bad luck but seeing my son happy every time he talks about you even though I forbid him to, that is priceless. His happiness matters more than anything in this world, Antara. You were the only one he wanted to dedicate his life with. For him, you were the luckiest wolf."

I heaved a deep sigh. Hindi na rin ako nagsalita pa at aalis na sana dahil wala naman na akong dapat pang sabihin nang magsalita siyang muli.

"I heard what happened after we left. The dragon and your son. Now that you are a Luna without an Alpha, ang Loki homes ang pinakamadaling hamunin ng territorial battle lalo na't iisa ka lamang. Isama mo pa ang banta ng Weeve homes, Qura homes, at Karma homes. Your human, even though he is a dragon's twin, isn't eligible to become an Alpha. He is not a wolf."

"What we do now is not your concern anymore,"

"Antara, you are the first wolf to lead a pack without an Alpha."

"Not for the long run." I said. "Since we are here, I want you to all know that I will be living in the city together with my human and our child. Benice Loki will be the next Luna. She already found her soon to be Alpha within the Loki pack."

Quenshin smiled and nodded his head gently. He even heaved a deep sigh.

"That's a good Luna pick but going down the mountain with your human equals to being a rouge wolf now, Antara. You are choosing to become one with that decision. Hindi mo ba iyon pagsisisihan?"

I smiled. Hindi ko na siya sinagot at nag-umpisa nang maglakad papalayo. I can never transform into a wolf anyway. My human is already waiting for me with our son on the foot of the mountain. As I am walking, I can see Biya nearby on her wolf form waiting for me. I heaved a deep sigh once again and looked at my ring finger. The one with the scar on it that reminds me of my greatest Alpha. He might not be with us today anymore, but his ring will remain in my heart and skeleton forever.

"Tara na, Biya." sambit ko nang sumakay sa likuran ni Biya para umalis. Sandali ko pang tiningnan ang direksyon kung nasaan ang Alphas lalong-lalo na kay Quenshin at saka ngumiti. "Nikolai...I named my son just like what he wanted. Just like how you named him. Nikolai Loki Herrera...remember that name. He might want to come back in these mountains once he grew up and if his heart says he want to become one of you. I will not forbid him if ever he feels more of a wolf than a human and a dragon."

I heaved a deep sigh and then smiled once again.

"He is a mix of skin, scales, and fur after all."