Guarding Omega

20

The Silver Spear pack is in a loop of preparation for the past few days. Small teams of wolves run around, each with a list at hand of things to do. Most of their faces are painted with a mix of feelings. Grief for the old and hope for the new. Wayne stands on the balcony of his room, leaning against the wooden frame with his fingers wrapped around the horizontal log, supervising from above. His amber eyes are clouded with sorrow. Though he stands tall, watching the preparations in progress, there's something different about him. Like a heavy load is resting on his shoulders.

A knock on the door draws his steps inside. When he opens the door he finds Rhys standing on the other side of it, looking at him with concern. Without a word, Wayne steps aside to let his friend and Beta pass.

"When we'll be ready?" he asks Rhys with a deadpan expression on his face.

Rhys stands still, his eyes falling on Wayne. He hates to see his best friend like that. What happened was unexpected for everyone. Especially for Wayne that now has to step up and take the lead. He was preparing himself along with his father for months now. But things shouldn't have come this way.

"In two days everything will be ready for both ceremonies. We expect the first guests to arrive today. The news for the new high priestess is true and she has accepted our invitation to bless both the funeral and your succession.

"Very well, keep me posted." Wayne turns to him giving a nod of approval. Rhys bows his head before he turns to exit the room, leaving Wayne alone to grieve for the loss of his father.

If she was here... Why do the people closest to his heart perish so suddenly?

Getting some cold water to his face as he walks into the bathroom, he reluctantly changes clothes before he gets out. As he comes down the stairs he spots Gina talking to a group of wolves in the great hall. The baby holding in her arms turns – as if it sensed his presence – and a smile blooms on his cute face. His eyes shine, glowing amber. As his father's.

Moving towards them, Gina stands on her toes to give a peck on Wayne's lips when he stands next to her. Giving her a faint smile, he turns his attention to the baby. Wayne brings one arm up gently caressing the side of the baby's face which giggles in response.

"At least your grandfather witnessed the miracle of your birth, Mason." He softly whispers. Gina turns to look at him with a smile of pure joy in this tragedy.

"You decided then? He will take your father's name? That's amazing."

Wayne nods as emotions battle within him, their clash reflecting on his face. "It's the least I can do to honour him. He would be so happy."

"I'm sure he already is. He's near us, watching and hearing everything we do and say. And after the funeral ceremony, he will take his place between the stars and watch us from above, protecting us and giving us his blessing." Gina consoles him.

Wayne smiles his gratitude at her while his other hand rubs gently her back. "Thank you," He states. "I'm going to check a few things. You two get some rest, we have guests to receive in the evening."

As Wayne walks down the path to reach the opening where the ceremonies will take place, a wave of distress fills his chest. Gina is his mate now, but not the fated one. She's an arrangement made by his father a few weeks after bringing him the news of Ivory's death in a fire broke out of unexpected causes in the sanctuary. He remembered how fondly his father was begging him to let go and move on for his sake and the sake of his pack.

Then Gina came into the picture, like a balm to get him out of the quicksand he was drowning. They were also blessed with a child, though he wanted to remember clearer that night. Wolf shifters, though had a shorter pregnancy span, as their animal relatives, they were not so fortunate with their offspring. And getting pregnant from their first mating was a true blessing.

However, something was feeling strange. There was always this thought that was tormenting his mind. What if Ivory was alive and here with me? What if she was the baby's mother?

A sad smile forms on his lips unintentionally as her image is brought behind his eyes. Even almost five months after her passing, Wayne doesn't stop thinking of her and a life together that left but a dream, never to come true. Of course, now Gina was his mate and very soon Luna of his pack and he should respect and care for her as she deserves.

***

As the sun begins to step aside and give its space for the night to come, Wayne is changed into formal clothes and helps Gina dress the baby. Soon the first guests will be arriving. The Alpha's house was arranged to host the guests as there were plenty of rooms. When everything was ready, Wayne, Gina and the baby took their places in the great hall to welcome them.

Shortly after, the first cars carrying the guests arrived, making a line towards the road that was leading to the late Alpha Mason's house, and now Wayne's. Wayne accepted their condolences for the loss of his father, engaging in strong handshakes with the leaders of a few packs that were invited, and light bows of his head with their mates. Informing some guests was a task performed by Gina and Wayne was extremely grateful to her.

Time passed quicker than Wayne had thought. All these handshakes and small talks with each of the Alphas had taken his mind a bit off his grief, as he had to stand strong as his position requires. Some had informed that will arrive on the day of the funeral/succession. Wayne thought that they finished greeting guests for the day until a car entered the gates.

Something in the air changed and Wayne's body filled with anticipation. His wolf was behaving like a little pup and he had a difficult time restraining him. As the car stopped outside the door, Wayne moved forward, standing on the door frame. The back door opens, and three women get out, dressed in ice-white tunics, their shoulders and heads covered by capes of the same colour. Standing in line, the door of the co-driver opens and a fourth one comes out. Immediately the others incline their heads in respect.

The high priestess.

A familiar scent grazes Wayne's nose and all of a sudden his heart skips a beat. The blood starts pumping with a rapid rhythm in his veins and his body stiffens. This is not right. I'm hallucinating.

The high priestess stands before him. They stand still and silent for a few seconds. Wayne could see her nostrils dilate slightly taking in a breath of his scent while he does the same. This can't be true.

His eyes grow wide as the high priestess lifts the hood of her cape and Ivory's face comes into view.

A/N: Hi everyone! Hope you are all well :) So, how do you find this chapter? Did you expect such a course of events? I'd like to hear your thoughts. Thank you very much for supporting this story. It gives me the motivation to keep writing.