Legacy of the Royal Wolves

37

Az now sat next to Caden in the dining hall together with all the pack members scattered all over the tables in the huge room. He saw Heinz with his dad towards his right while Amy sat along with her parents a little farther off. He saw Matthew sitting across the table from him but his gaze was pointed towards the Jethro's table and Az wondered if something had happened between them, but dismissed it cause Heinz never mentioned anything about it.

They were all seated waiting for Daniel's speech to begin he banquet. Az found it quite admirable that the Durwood Pack held a banquet to honor all the Warriors who gave up their life to protect the pack. He wished he could have brought them back to life like he had done earlier but without Pnevma's fragments within him it was no longer feasible.

They had earlier cremated the dead Warriors in the Durwood Pack's ritual and buried their ashes. The whole pack mourned for the losses but the banquet was suppose to be a symbol of respecting the sacrifices of the dead Warriors and accept their passing.

Az had earlier burst into tears when his Grandma's body was cremated. He never wanted to part ways the way he did, he wanted to get a chance to tell her that he understood her, yet couldn't bring himself to forgive her but wanted to try to do so. He wanted to say so many things to his Grandma but when she was cremated the eminent realization that he would never get that chance weighed on him and he felt shattered and hollow.

But in his turmoil he felt the arms of his mate and smiles of his new family shining through and that's what held him together.

He held onto Grandma's ashes knowing that he wanted her to be buried where she belonged not on the grounds where her heart's greatest devastation laid.

Az still clearly remembered the conversation he had with Matthew or more like the bomb Matthew had dropped on him but he chose not to deal with it at the moment, he wanted to compartmentalize his thoughts before dealing with them one by one. But he wasn't given that chance earlier as everyone he knew had barged into the room wanting to make sure he was okay and to know exactly what had happened. He was bombarded with so many questions and worried glances from Heinz, Amy, Victoria, Daniel and even some Warriors. Caden had to physically maneuver them out of the room to give Az some space and time to breath and calm down but made sure to let everyone know that he was fine.

Az's train of thoughts were broken when he felt a squeeze on his hand, he looked up to see Caden watching him with a concerned expression. Az only shrugged and smiled assuring Caden that he was okay.

The loud sound of someone clearing their throat brought everyone's attention to the front of the table where Daniel stood.

"Good evening my dear pack members, we gather here today to pay our respect and homage to the seventeen Warriors who valiantly fought and sacrificed their lives for the safety of this pack. We will forever be in their debts. They set forth the example of loyalty and absolute determination even in the face of death and for that I bow my head to them in respect as their current Alpha. This feast is not to mourn for them but rather to remember the greatness of their sacrifice and their bravery and loyalty to our pack."Daniel announced as the whole pack cheered along with his words.

"Let us smile for the battle has been won and victory has been ours. Let us smile knowing that Durwood Pack has won yet another massive battle proving the strength in our bonds and loyalty. Let us rejoice knowing that we get to live together as a family for yet another day."Daniel spoke with sincerity and pride.

"Before I set you free to feast, I have one more announcement to make."

"I hereby step down as the Alpha of the Durwood Pack and pass the title to my son Caden Alarik Durwood and his mate Aziel Aspro Chasin. They have shown great promise and courage as well as love and protectiveness over the pack and I couldn't be happier to know that they'll lead this pack forth. But for we are a family, I ask you this 'does anyone of you oppose this decision?'"Daniel asked looking at everyone in the room.