Case 47

Prologue

Picture of Amaryllis???? (send me some suggestions or picture her the way you'd like to!)
This is my first story I'm posting on wattpad, bare with me.

The bath water had long since turned cool, but Amaryllis still didn't bother to step out and get ready for the service. She instead focused on her long black dress hanging on the corner of the closet, taunting her from across the bathroom. A lace detailed bodice adorned the top, letting the shoulders be exposed as the back dipped between her shoulder blades, just enough that the angel wings tattoo she got on his birthday could be displayed. When she originally tried the dress on in the store, the worker had given her a disapproving glance, but not before letting the sorry's come tumbling off her. Amaryllis told them it was for a funeral, but what they didn't know was that she bought it for hers, too. The dress was elegant and hauntingly beautiful, but she couldn't help reveling in the worker's looks, letting herself think otherwise as she stared at it the past hour, soaking in lavender and heartbreak. Submerging her head one more time, she let out a blood curling scream just beneath the surface, a way to release all the pent up agony without alerting the pack members posted outside her window.

Mirroring the movements of a machine, Amaryllis stepped out of the claw foot tub slowly, grabbing the towel atop the marble side table. Plush red fabric cocooned around her, but the small luxury didn't sooth her aching skin as she tread monotonously across the cool tile to the double vanity sink. Her side of the space was organized to perfection, each bit of makeup was placed in a drawer and all of her lotions were lined up by size. She had gone on a cleaning spree to keep her mind at bay, leaving only his things untouched among the house. Shaving cream dollops were still on the corner of the granite sink, his razor still clinging to the bits of beard hair as it was placed hastily behind the faucet. The old spice after shave was knocked over and the message he left her on the mirror the morning of his death was staring back at her, begging her to cry as she had the past two days. My love for you is larger than life. Amaryllis smiled at the loop of the "y", remembering all the times she'd brought it up to him whenever he'd leave notes on his pillow for her to wake to.  Grabbing his favorite lipstick out of the top drawer, she wrote a note back underneath his. In every life, I will love you in this way.

She stared at her reflection, angry at the way his death took her beauty so quickly. No amount of makeup will cover that. Laughing softly at her own bitterness, the pain that shoots up from her chest mimics a sore throat. Amongst losing ten pounds, her skin is gaunt and pale against her obsidian hair and the once deep silver of her eyes holds no shine. Still, small sparks dance across her shoulder blade whenever her fingertips trace over the mark upon her neck, a feeling now foreign to her. Ever since she was little, her mom told her that canines are a representation of rank, the more power one holds within a pack, the bigger the mark upon their mate's skin. Her mother's was always smaller than most, being mated to an omega was evident to every wolf she met. Even so, growing up, Amaryllis dreamed of meeting her mate, in hopes that he was powerful. But, while she doesn't regret her choice of man, she does wish the light pink scarring of Albion's mouth imprint didn't cause wolves to cower in fear and intimidation. Now, the indent of his teeth only serves as a small comfort in her haze of loss.

The service was long and excruciating. Her neck was starting to ache from keeping her head down, shielded from the faces of the pack who looked to her for support. She didn't have any to offer. The only leadership she grew to know was through the guidance of her precious Albion. She was ashamed, but she was mourning. Throwing dirt upon the casket which holds the most vulnerable part of you is twisted, but as the still-acting Luna, Amaryllis had no choice but to go through with the custom, choking out a sob as the soil fell from her fingers into a small pile on the cherry-stained oak. The pack was quiet, making the sounds of Amaryllis' crying more profound, the strength she had held onto crumbling beneath her. Beta Jax caught her elbows as she collapsed, falling with her as the Luna was cradled in the arms of a male who was not her mate. She didn't have time to gather herself before each member stepped forward, one by one, throwing their roses and dirt into the ground and kissing the top of her head. Condolences were long since forgotten as each wolf dissipated, leaving a crying Luna to mourn the loss of her other half. She was no leader without Albion, the pack knew this.

"Beta Jax, you're a good man. A strong wolf. When you find your mate, I want you to take over as Alpha."

Pulling back to look him in the eye, her voice wavered slightly as he swallowed the lump in his throat at her abrupt request.

"Luna Rylie.. I can't-"

Placing a hand over his mouth before he could finish, she continued her persuasion.

"Without Albion, my heart is not with this pack. I didn't ask for the life of Luna, but I took it because he asked me to. Because I loved him. I can not lead the family of a man who has fallen, so I need you to be the wolf I know you are, please. I am only the daughter of an omega pair. I am no Luna without my Alpha."

Tears were covering her face as Beta Jax nodded solemnly, pulling her into his chest once more as a wave of grief washed over them again.

Her words echoed off the walls inside her head, broken and final, convinced of her fate.

I am no Luna without my Alpha.