Imperious.

Epilogue: Emilia & Tom

© 2014 XxNotTonightXx.

All Rights Reserved

Author's Note: Please vote and comment, it helps. Please read the bold print at the end, important information is there. Thank you. 

  Pages: 127 - 129

T O M -

"Alpha Tom, the rest of the men from the rebellion will be making their way out of pack." Jamie says.

Sighing at Emilia's vague notes about the border patrol, I look up at Jamie and nod at her, "Okay, call our neighboring packs and let them know that men will be bypassing through their land to get home, and that they aren't rogues. Thanks Jamie."

Waiting for her to leave, I eye her carefully when she remains in place. She looks different, but I guess we all do. Her blond hair, which was once long and curly, reaching her hips, now meets the beginning of her neck. Her brown eyes are hardened and she doesn't smile much anymore. Emilia described her as a joyous spirit; I think it's begun to fade.

"Alpha Tom, I just want to apologize to you and Alpha Emilia again for my sister. I know it -" She begins, but I have to cut her off.

"Jamie, you had no idea of knowing that the person aiding Maddoc's wolf was your sister. I can tell you're hurting, but don't hurt over the possibilities of what you and your family could've done better; there's no healing or use in doing that. Grieve over the death of your sister, and use that pain to make sure it doesn't happen again; there's some healing in that." I say quietly, searching her eyes to see if I've helped her at all.

Nodding, she smiles faintly. A tear runs down her makeup-free cheeks as she replies, "Yes, Alpha. Thank you for that. I'll leave you to your work now. When Alpha Emilia feels better, I hope I can speak to her as well."

Watching Jamie's retreating figure, I look back down at Emilia's notes and smile at her neat, cryptic handwriting. Things have been different since Maddoc and his wolf were killed, with the pack and with Emilia. Since the rebellion, the pack treats me well -- like they treat Emilia, with utmost respect. Before when I walked down the street, there were the nods of respect and the occasional 'Hello Alpha.' Now there are smiles of acknowledgement, and pack members are asking if I need anything, if they can be of service to me and Emila. I now understand Emilia's need to know all the pack members names and attend birthings and visit schools and make her presence known and felt all throughout the pack. They all look up to us, and take time to send us gifts and make sure we're okay and that alone deserves to be returned back to them. I guess it took me proving my worth to this pack and to their Alpha to gain their respect, and I understand that. I just wish things would be as great with Emilia. When Maddoc died, I honestly think a piece of her died along with him. It's like she's here with me, but not fully here.

Emilia's pain is binding; it suffocates her. She'll periodically burst into soundless tears, and the only thing giving her away is her trembling. My wolf can't stand it, and neither can I. I remember the night everything happened, the night he killed himself: her eyes were so distant. I held her for hours, and stared at her for hours, but nothing stared back at me. Her eyes resembled a blurry, empty abyss. She made no noise, she didn't even blink -- she just stared at nothing and cried. The only thing that kept me going was her hand. She clung to me, and the one time she acknowledged me was when I tried to move from her. She bowed her head and said 'don't', and it wasn't a command: it was a plea. How she sounded so strong in her moment of vulnerability is beyond me. It shook my wolf and made me hold her tighter.

I know only bits and pieces of what happened. I know Maddoc wasn't responsible for his actions and that his wolf controlled him and I know Maddoc himself never had a chance at being happy. I know that he didn't deserve to die, according to Emilia; he deserved to know what it meant to have a family, to laugh and to be happy. I don't know if I agree, and I guess it doesn't matter what I think; what matters is her sadness and how I can make it go away.