The Alphas Prize

Chapter 34: Alpha and Luna - Part 4/5

His upper lip twitched before his lips curled up and into a smile. Cain entangled his hand within my hair, gripping the strands with his fingers, and he closed the distance between us, capturing my lips with his.

Cain lifted me up and off his lap. He laid down on the cool sheets, flat on his back and pulled me into him, wrapping his arm tightly around me as he yanked me closer to him, leaving no space between us. Cain kissed the top of my head, lingering there for a moment.

Both of us were comfortable, feeling content in each other's arms as the heavyweight of sleep wrapped around us. This moment almost felt surreal, like everything was a dream. Cain had nearly died, I had almost lost him, and I could've died, to be honest, a piece of me did. I got Cain back, but I had lost something that meant just as much to me as he does. I could only hope that she was alright and happy wherever she was.

I woke up, and the bed was empty; slight panic stirred within me, as I didn't know where Cain was. I jumped out of bed, frantically looking around and noticed a letter on the back of the door. Walking over to the door, I ripped the paper from where it was placed and read it. "Something came up; it's important. I'll be back later. Love, Cain." Great! I just got him back, and already he is running off. I threw the paper on the floor and walked into the bathroom. Just as I was finishing up, a knock sounded at the door. I walked over to the door and opened it. On the other side of the door stood Rose, a saddened expression on her face.

Panic started to rise inside me, automatically thinking the worst. I fully opened the door, furrowing my brows. "What's the matter, Rose?" I asked, concern lacing my tone.

She stepped into the room and turned to me, straightening herself, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but Samara is dead."

My stomach churned, and my chest tightened. "What? When? How?" I frantically fired off questions, my eyes searching her face.

Rose sucked in a breath. "Samara's body was found down in the cellar. One of the guards said they had seen her with Calyx, the day of the attack. Her neck had been snapped, and we presume that Calyx killed her. I'm so sorry, Freja. I know you were close to her." Rose walked up to me and hugged me, and I froze in my spot, her actions catching me off guard. I wasn't much of a hugger, but it felt nice to have someone comfort me right now.

I patted her back in an awkward way, trying to comfort her as well. This sudden news was not expected, and I felt distraught. Samara was meeting with Calyx because of me; it was my fault that she was dead. I felt sick at the thought of losing someone so special and dear to me, especially when their death was because of my actions. I had never meant for her to get hurt or lose her life.

I reared back from Rose, needing some space. "Will there be a funeral?" I asked, my voice slightly cracking.

Rose sniffled and wiped the tears from her face before nodding. "Yes, of course. Tomorrow there will be a final goodbye, and she will be given back to the earth." She told me, still trying to control her emotions.

I scrunched my brows. "What do you mean, given back to the earth?" I asked, confused.

"Well, when a pack member passes, they are given a final farewell before being buried in the ground. Once again, becoming one with the earth, just as we are before being born." She informed me, and I found this interesting as our way of burying the dead was completely different.

I pursed my lips. "Do all packs bury their dead differently? In my old pack, we would say a final goodbye and then send them off on a handcrafted pyre, which was lit on fire by the member's spouse or closest relative. The smoke, carrying them up to the moon goddess." I told her and then remembered Mikael's funeral.

Rose raised her brows, seeming to be intrigued by this. "I guess I would have to assume that each pack does it differently. Each pack having their own traditions and ways of saying goodbye." She said, giving me a small smile, and I liked the idea of that.

I nodded my head. "Please let me know where and what time the funeral will be," I asked of her.

She gave me a curt nod. "Of course I will." Rose then hugged me again, squeezing tightly, before releasing me and walking out of the room.

I went over to the bed and sat down, realizing I had just lost another person. Was I cursed to continue losing people? Was everyone around me doomed to die? I rubbed my hands down my face, feeling overwhelmed and defeated. Finally, I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes, trying to ease the turmoil that clouded my mind.

Sometime later, I was woken up by Violet barging into the room. "Enough of that, time to get up, my dear." She thundered, making me groan at her bubbliness.

I hadn't meant to fall asleep, but I guess I was more tired than I had thought. I covered my head with my arm. "Why? I don't want to." I whined, still feeling the effects of sleep.

Violet smacked my foot. "Too bad, you need to get ready, and we don't have much time." She scolded me, and now I was confused.

My brows furrowed, and I looked up at her. "Get ready for what?" I asked curiously.

She smiled at me, giving me an enigmatic stare. "The Alpha has requested your presence and has asked me to help you get ready. Now, come on, he doesn't like to be kept waiting." Violet clapped her hands, urging me to get up.

I wrinkled my nose at her words, as I had no idea what the fuck she was talking about right now. "Requested...." Violet cut me off, silencing my questions.

Violet held up a hand. "No more questions." She said while placing a dress on the bed and then directed me towards the bathroom. I was baffled as to what was going on, and the fact that she wouldn't tell me anything was a bit irritating.

After Violet had done my hair and makeup, which I was against, but apparently, I had no choice, she told me to put on the dress that she laid on the bed earlier. Violet handed me the dress, and I went into the bathroom to put it on. The dress was black in colour and had flecks of red near the bottom. The material reached the floor and had an A-line bodice, as the straps rested just off my shoulders. The dress wasn't poofy or too girly and conformed to my body perfectly, making me feel beautiful. I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment, for once, liking what I saw reflecting in the glass. Then, I smiled at myself and walked out of the bathroom.

Violet stood there, tears brimming her eyes, as she clutched her hands to her mouth. "Oh, Luna, you look absolutely radiant." She said, smiling broadly.

I looked down at the dress and then back up at her. "Will you tell me why I am wearing this? And what is going on?" I begged her, needing information.

She shook her head furiously and grinned wickedly. "Nope, no time for that. We need to leave, or we are going to be late." She said in a rush, and now, I was even more curious, wondering where it was we needed to be?