The Blue Blood Alpha

Chapter 79 - A great loss

Stars have come out and the blood moon hangs low in the clouds. The blood moon is shining bright, and the night has fallen. Flames from the funeral pyres, that were burning bright, have now died out. Atlas's funeral ceremony is completed, and now his body has turned to ash, as his soul ascends back to the moon. Led by Luna Lily and Alpha Knight, they are being pushed in matching wheelchairs. Caspian is pushing Caden's chair, and Beta Jin is pushing Lily's chair.  Lily looks down at baby AJ, she is wearing a onesie and a wrap blanket.  Lily has been given numerous gifts from the Mystic falls pack for the baby. Wendy, Christie's mother, has hand knitted a pink beanie complete with an adorable pompom on top, which baby AJ is sporting tonight. Despite being a premmie baby, Lily wanted her to be a part of the funeral procession for her father tonight. There's a slight chill in the air, but for now the sky is clear, the stars silent sentinels bearing witness to Atlas's farewell.

The pack have finished their sombre walk, and have arrived at the clearing, that borders the Mystic fall's forest. This is where their pack run will begin. With the aid of a walking stick, Atlas Knight stands from his wheelchair to address his pack. With one hand leaning on the walking sick, his free hand reaches out towards Xavier, urging him to stand by him. Xavier walks over and takes the Alpha's proffered hand "are you ready to farewell your father, little Alpha?"

"Yes sir, I'm ready!" replies Xavier, puffing out his chest

"Clutching Xavier's hand, Alpha Knight turns to address his pack "it seems everybody is here, so let us begin. As you know, we have suffered a great loss when we went to battle against the CBC. Tonight we are gathered to farewell Alpha Atlas of Pine Lake Pack. In my eyes, Alpha Atlas is a hero and the epitome of what a true Alpha should be. He fought valiantly at my side to defeat the CBC and ensure the safety and well-being of all the werewolf population. He had the chance to save himself, but he selflessly stayed to fight by my side. I know his driving force, was to ensure the safety and future well-being of his beloved family" with that Caden looks down at Xavier and then glances over at Lily, who is holding tight to baby AJ, who is snuggled into her chest. He can see Lily's eyes are shining with unshed tears "Atlas knew that the CBC would stop at nothing to get to his family, and he sacrificed himself to ensure they could live and be safe. We have lost a great wolf to the cause against the CBC, and his memory will not be forgotten. I vow that Alpha Atlas's sacrifice will not be in vain. His story will be passed down from generation to generation, the re-telling of his great battle will be spoken of around many a fire side gathering. We will honour him tonight with a pack run, receiving blessings under our sacred blood moon. As I am injured, I cannot lead the run tonight, but Beta Jin will stand in my place. He was not only Alpha Atlas's Beta, but his best friend. He is our honoured guest at Mystic Falls, and I invite you all to follow his lead in this historic pack run".

"Uncle Jin, can I ride your back? I want to join the pack run too" asks Xavier

"Little Alpha, I'm leading the pack run tonight, I fear I will be running too fast for you to hang on, it will not be safe" replies Jin, as he begins to strip his clothing, ready to shift.

"How about you ride my back? I've never gone on a pack run before; we can do our first run together...I promise to go slow" says Caspian as he steps towards them and looks at Caden for permission.

Caden glances at Lily "I'm not sure it's safe" he replies

"I will stay by their side the entire time. I'll make sure they're protected" says Christie.

"Here take this" says Jin as he hands them a large leather collar "when Caspian shifts put the collar on his wolf, Xavier can hold onto it. This is how we have taught him to ride our backs at Pine Lake. He is strong and knows how to hold on tight".

With that Jin shifts in his pure white wolf, letting out howl to the moon as he runs off towards the forest, the pack responds with their own howls, and they follow his lead.

Caspian strips and shifts into his wolf, and Christie attaches the leather collar to him. He lowers himself to the ground, so Xavier can jump on his back. Xavier skilfully hops onto Caspian's back and holds on tight to the leather collar. Christie shifts into her own wolf. As Caspian's wolf rises, Xavier looks towards his mother "mama I will run with the pack tonight for papa!" he says

"Yes, my darling, you run for both of us tonight, papa will be sending all his blessings down to you. Hang on tight and make sure you don't fall!" with that said, Lily nods at Caspian and Christie, signalling for them to go. They run off at a slow pace, coming up at the rear of the pack.

Caden walks slowly back to his wheelchair, and lowers himself down, sitting next to Lily and baby AJ. AJ is sound asleep, snuggled against Lily's chest.

"Thank you for doing Atlas's farewell speech" says Lily "I think he would have liked what you said"

"It was my honour to do it; I owe him everything. Do you wish it was me that was ascending to the moon tonight? And it was Atlas doing my farewell speech?" Caden asks, his head cast down, looking at Baby AJ sleeping. He can't bare to look at Lily, he already knows her answer.

"I can't answer that...that's like asking me to choose between Xavier and AJ...it's an impossible choice" replies Lily

Caden looks up into Lily's eyes with a glimmer of hope in his eyes "do you really mean that? I assumed you'd wish me dead, after all the pain, I've caused you?"

"I never wished you any harm Caden. But you should know, if Atlas was alive, I would have chosen him. I would never have left him"

Caden nods in understanding "I know...but do you think...maybe in time...there might be a chance for us?" he's clenching his hands, he wants nothing more than to reach out to his mate and take her hand in his, to kiss her knuckles, and soothe her pain.

"I don't know...I've lost the love of my life; how can I move on from that? After all...what could be greater than loss?" She replies as a tear runs down her cheek.

Caden reaches his hand out and wipes her tear away "love..my little mate..love could be greater than loss".

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