Tomorrow Never Dies (Moonlight 3)

Chapter 38-The End

I leaned over, carefully placing the bright yellow flower down onto the marble surface. I stand and watch as Michael lays one down beside my own.

He had known him as well; he'd been like a big brother to him too.

We stand in silence for a moment, my eyes just scanning over the name written on the grave. I think of him, all the memories I had forgotten for years. We'd even had to search to find this.

"I love you." I spoke quietly. "And I miss you."

As heartbreaking as it was, I was glad that I finally knew about him. He had been brave, maybe a little dumb and reckless at times but he'd been my brother. The boys had been helping me through it. Yet no one had taken it as hard as mum had. It hadn't been easy breaking the news to her of having another son that she had long forgotten that had died in such a heartbreakingly painful way. The stone had helped but it was obvious how hard the knowledge had hit her, my dad and Ben too. As a family we were all working through it together.

"Shall we catch up with the others?" Michael prompted as he tugged on my arm. He seemed to have noticed that I was lingering again. Just as I had the many other days we'd visited. I nodded slowly, it was a full moon tonight, so we had to get going before the moon reached its peak. Even with our speed it would take us a while to make it to the others from here.

We raced away from the cemetery and headed off towards Calum's place. It was just starting to get dark, and I could sense the moon rising behind us. As we approached Calum's back fence, I could make out about five shapes standing at the back gate. Calum and Ashton were both standing there with Lauchie held up on their shoulders. He looked a little pale and trembly. Pip and Lewis were standing nearby, both looking rather nervous. I couldn't help but view the scene and be reminded of myself just over a year ago.

"No ears or tail yet." Michael joked as we approached them.

"Soon though." Lauchie grinned weakly at us.

"The moon should be up high enough in about five minutes? You alright?" Lewis asked.

"This is what's needed to happen since I was twelve. I'm beyond ready." He nodded.

Lauchie was the first decision that we'd made after everything blew over. Not long after the incident with the Shadow Wolves we'd seen him face the brunt of his state. He'd collapsed during a meeting, curling over, his body wracked with pain. His half shifts were painful and terrifying to watch. A few of the hunter's doctors and Alex had checked over him and had declared that it was too dangerous for him to keep having them. He had weak bones and muscles. Which was likely to do serious damage that would affect him for life if they didn't stop soon.

At first, Calum had offered to turn him and asked him to join our pack, but he had refused. He knew about the Golden Pack and our newfound status as an Alpha pack had declared that that kind of power was best left in our capable hands. So instead the job had gone to Lewis, but Lauchie still had refused to officially join his pack.

Lauchie had already left the hunters and had agreed in advance to a treaty with the hunters. He managed to get permission to stay in our year though. I think his marks were too exceptional for him to be put down to his real grade. He was going to study to be a doctor when he finished school. I was glad for him.

It kind of made me think of my own plans, we'd be finished school next year. My job description lately had felt like just being a werewolf. I hadn't thought all that far ahead. I don't think anyone else had either. I tried not to dwell on it too much.

Suddenly Lauchie let out a painful yell as his muscles spasmed. Pip and Lewis raced forwards, both gritting their teeth as they moved to help Ashton and Calum steady him. Although he hadn't officially decided to join their pack, his shift was affecting them as well.