Reborn

Chapter Twenty-Four

Damien and I were walking back towards the pack. I was carrying Ryan in my arms. I was struggling but I refused to let Damien carry him. The sun had risen by the time we got back to the pack. I felt numb. I heard Damien mindlink the pack to go to the pack cemetery. They were all confused but gathered anyway. I was almost deafened by the gasps and sobs that appeared when I walked into their view. A couple of the fighters shifted into their wolf forms and dug a whole big enough. I lowered him into it and just stood there, cries from the pack ringing in my ears. They really loved their Beta. I knelt down and started pushing the dirt back into the hole. The fighters joined me and soon it was filled. I sat down beside the fresh mound and put my hand on it. I lifted my head and let lout a long howl that was filled with sorrow and mourning. The pack quickly followed me as well as Damien. The sound was unnerving. The howl ended and people started to leave. I didn't move. 

"Come on. We need to get clean." Damien said gently as He squat down next to me. I just shook my head. He leant forward and kissed my temple before walking away. 

I sat there all day. Damien came to check on me every 10 minutes or so to make sure I was ok. The sun set and the grave was flooded with moonlight. I looked up at the bright moon longingly. 

Please take care of him. I prayed silently to the Moon Goddess. I know she will. He deserves the world. I laid down next to the pile of dirt and closed my eyes. I fell asleep.

I woke up feeling a presence beside me. It was still nighttime. I sat up and saw Damien. He looked clean. I leant against him and he put his arm around me.

"He's going to be ok." He whispered. I nodded absently. 

"Come on." I let him pull me to my feet and lead me inside. We went up to our room and he led me into the bathroom. I had moved into his room a few weeks ago. He ran the shower. 

"May I?" He asked as he gestured to my clothes. I nodded. He pulled my shirt over my head and took my pants off. Once the shower had fully heated up he took off my undergarments. He stripped down and we stepped into the shower. He started to clean all the blood off of me, being carful around my eyes. He washed my face and I closed my eyes. It felt like the last of Ryan was slipping away. I looked down and watched his blood flow down the drain. 

"He's not gone forever. You'll see him again." I looked up at Damien. He had a small smile on his face. I nodded. He finished cleaning me and we got out of the shower. He helped me get dry and dressed too. He took hold of my hand and we got into bed. He gently pulled me against me and started playing with my hair. He fell asleep soon after. I fought against sleep. I didn't want to sleep but it got to me anyway. I shut my eyes and fell into darkness.