Fatal Romance

Chapter 27

Kelner's POV.

I never realized how hard this would be, preparing the funeral for my pack members and knowing Naya has a connection to them to. There is an ache in my chest that hasn't gone away. When she called her pack elders Rodney and Judith I had to carry a heavy portion of the pain she endured when she told them, I didn't want her to go through it alone. Every time I think about what Naya's elders felt when they were told about their daughter my chest aches, a continuous reminder.

I didn't have to feel the same thing with Randolph's parents as I am not the Alpha yet. Knowing my father and mother have had to deal with that pain during their reign- the same pain Naya experienced- it gives me a greater respect for them. It has never been said that the life of an Alpha is an easy one, we feel every pain, every ache, every loss. Of course we feel every joy too, especially when there is new wolves joining the pack or the happiness of new found mates. Every gathering our pack has where everyone comes together in celebration, even if it's just for a pack barbecue, everyone feels the interlocking between members of the pack.

That is why a pack link is so highly treasured and why it is such a weight on rogues not to have one. When a pack is celebrating or new mates are coming together, it is in that very moment when a new attachment is made that the link in our minds becomes visible. It is hard to describe it but it's as if there is a translucent web-like thread that we see connecting us all. The tread starts from just under our ribs; it is attached to our heart and flows from one person to another but all link back to the Alpha. Each member having a separate connect to the Alpha of their pack.

Of course when it comes to an Alpha it can be visible to them at all times. That is only if the Alpha chooses it to be, and only if the person is close by. If they're far away it just feels like vibrations coming from a hidden thread which is why it is hard to find a pack member that has run or been taken away. If they haven't fully rejected their pack the link is very faint, but if they have then the Alpha will no longer feel a connection and will feel the loss of their pack member leaving.

When a pack member dies it is much worse. An Alpha will not feel it right away but when it does hit it's as if a part of them is ripped away which is so much more painful. A metaphorical open and bleeding wound left to the air and open to infection. An Alpha's heart will ache for weeks until it slowly fades. My father is currently going through that, Natayshia is struggling with it in a more distant aspect, and I will one day have to experience that pain.

After I brushed aside that thought and refocused my mind on the task before me it was as if the whole fiber of my being became drained. My emotions were stretched to their limits, I had to plan all the preparations and rooming for Natayshia's pack. Her parents will have one room and her Beta will have the other, and everyone else will either get a room or stay outside in tents. I continue to organize where they're going to stay and have my pack start on preparing the tents outside. I make a list for my pack members that will be assisting and greeting Natayshia's pack members, and will be directing them to where they will stay.

I continue to finish the funeral arrangements and other pack business, and after that I leave the office knowing I have nothing left on my plate. I walk through the hallways and head to my room, once I reach my destination I open the door and step inside. There on the bed is my mate. I walk quickly to her side and pull her into my arms and let her continue to cry on my shoulder. "I...I don't understand. How could someone do this. My pack elders are devastated and I can't help but cry about this. Look at me, I'm supposed to be some strong Alpha but I'm a mess," she flops her arms in defeat. "I know I need to be strong but I can't, I wish this never happened."

I turn and press a kiss to her forehead, with my arms I lift her onto my lap and pull her tighter against me. "Sometimes horrible things happen to good people. You don't always have to be strong, your pack will understand. I'm sure it will be more of a comfort to them to know that their Alpha is right there with them in mourning for their loved ones." I pull her chin up, "you don't have to feel like you're doing this alone. I'll be right there with you, lean on me, don't shy away or feel ashamed for how you are feeling. Know that you can come to me for comfort. We can mourn them and remember them together." With each word my throat begins to choke up, I try to keep my tears in but a few slip from my eyes.

Lifting her hand she brushes it against my face, "Yes, together we can do this. Thank you for comforting me. Know that I'm here for you too, don't feel like you have to hide anything from me just because you're the man. I want to be there for you just as you are for me." Her words make more tears spill from my eyes and her hand continues to wipe them away. I lift my hand and kiss her fingers, feeling the wetness on them. What would I do without this woman? Everything between us has happened so fast and yet it doesn't feel like it. I can't wait to find out what else this woman holds behind those warm, kind eyes. "I'm glad I have you in this time of need Naya." A small watery smile graces her face, "me too Kelner, me too." She leans in towards me and I do the same, the kiss we share is full of sadness but also a small amount of happiness.

"We should get ready," I remind both her and myself. Together we dress in dark clothes for today and walk out of the room with our arms wrapped around each other. She turns her head to me, "My pack is here, I will go outside to greet them." She begins to move away from me but I pull her back against me, I smile at her "we will go greet them."

Together we walk to the front door, all of her pack is outside, we've decided to have them here for a few days so everyone can get to know each other and give support to one another in both packs who have lost their loved ones. The group of people our eyes look to first is the families of our dead pack members, they are greeting one another, holding each other as they cry. A pack member who has lost someone is identified by the ribbons tied around their upper left arm. In the wolf community when a pack member dies their families during the funeral will wear red ribbons tied around their left arms signifying that they have lost a loved one. It's tied around your left arm because your heart tilts slightly to your left side more.

Together we walk up to them, each stepping closer to our pack members and embracing each of them. Once I finish comforting my pack members I turn to Naya's. I greet Rodney, the father of Magdalena, and Naya's elder. "Alpha Kelner, thank you for letting us come, we appreciate your hospitality. I wish we were meeting at a happier time but I guess things just happen." As he finishes speaking he breaks down, covering his mouth trying to smother the sound of his tears. My left hand that was previously resting on his shoulder moves to the back of his neck and I pull him in for a comforting hug, man to man. His forehead is pressed against my shoulder and I kindly pat him on the back with my other hand in a comforting gesture, an Alpha to his elder.

I was slightly shocked when he called me Alpha but I remembered that since Natayshia and I mated I am now their Alpha along with her although she is still their true Alpha. We are both Alpha's of her pack except she is the true ruling one. When I am Alpha of my pack it will be the same for her.

Rodney and I separate and I turn to look at Naya. With her hand covering her mouth and her arm wrapped around Judith, she holds her female elder against her in consolation. Both of them are crying as they look at us with a little bit of surprise shining in their eyes. It is a huge deal when an Alpha comforts a pack member. She nods her head at me and removing her hand from her mouth she mouths 'thank you', I nod my head back and blow her a kiss. This is what being an Alpha means, putting your pack before yourself. "Alright let's head to the back of the pack house. It's time," I say, and together both packs walk to the back of the house for the funeral.

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I know this chapter didn't have a lot happening don't worry it will pick up again. Since I try and make my stories unique I feel like at times things need a little more explanation so I hope you're still enjoying this story!

-Viorra

P.s. I apologize for the late arrival of the chapter! I've been a little busy at home recently with basement renovations. I've been trying to slowly write chapters for all three of my published stories and some for my unpublished ones!