Ice Princess (Little Alpha Book 2)

Chapter 77

I could she was at odds as she spoke with her family and looked over her pack. She hated the man as well and made no effort to hide it. I chewed at my lip, this was hard for her and I could do nothing to help.

I watched curiously as she knelt by the lake, noticing her hair lift in a nonexistent wind. That's interesting...

She asks for guidance...

And her goddess just answers?

It's more complicated than that, but yes...

She looked more confident as she approached her family once more and addressed the pack. When she bid us to find something to burn, I didn't question it and knew whatever I chose would need to hold some type of value. I rummaged through my things and found a picture of the three of us.

It felt right, but I didn't understand as I looked at Violet and Zoey's faces, happy, the sun kissing their skin on the beach. It clicked as I looked closer, he was there... in the background, watching us with cold, calculating eyes.

I frowned, I nevered noticed it always focusing on my girls, but now... it held more meaning. This is what he was to them, always watching, waiting for the right time to strike from the shadows. This was the day I denied Violet his blood, not because I felt she was wrong it was just the wrong time.

How could I be so blind?

Love does that, but he is dead now. His body will follow and true justice served. That is their way, that is the way of our goddess.

So... you do believe in her?

Only the foolish could deny her power or her works. Go, our mates await our return.

I nodded, clutching the photo in my hand. I was unaware of how much I really despised this man until I was forced to face it, all of it. He left his pack in their time of need only to come back and try to undermine Violet with his every breath. He wanted Zoey dead before she was even born. I glanced around at the pack he tried to turn against them.

My gaze fell back on the picture, him my sole purpose. He aimed to eliminate my mate on more than one occasion... he never deserved to know her. He had a hand in molding her into a ruthless killer. He was a threat that I allowed to remain until she took him out.

I glanced up at Violet, she seemed sure as she spoke and I jumped when the picture caught fire. It was controlled and cool to touch. This is the goddess then...

Yes... do as she said, leave everything you held against this man with his body. It will be put to good use.

I didn't hesitate, there was no need. I was ready to put this behind me, behind us as I added my fire to the pyre. He was one less enemy against us, he was dead and would stay that way, hopefully forever. I returned to my place feeling a peace come over me. I don't know you... I don't understand how you work, but I recognize you are real, Nyx. If this is how you want things... who am I to question it?

My hair stirred in the wind and I knew it was her. It brought a comfort I never knew before as my eyes returned to my heart. Her hair swayed around her, face serene as she watched the others. Where she goes... I'll follow.

Always...

***

It didn't take long for everyone to return and I felt a power in me as I spoke again. "Each of you will set fire to this pyre, when you do put all of your hatred, all of your malice, all of your uncertainties into it. Offer it to our Goddess and let her deal with it, let it go. She already has the souls of him and that of his wolf, now his body will join them."

I watched as each of them closed their eyes, lips moving, but silent. I looked over at my family and found them in tears. Good... I turned toward the funeral pyre. "Goddess, please accept our offering. This man has done a lot... this I can not deny, but we give him to you for your judgement." I turned back to crowd and eyed the articles they brought, lighting them on fire.

There was a collective gasp. "Throw it all in the pyre and let's move forward." I watched as they each stepped forward, knelt, then threw what they had in. The fires I lit, no clue how I did it, they were controlled, none were burned, they did not flicker out. Eventually, Ryan stepped forward for his turn and when he stood and turned to me, he held the most peace in his face than I had ever seen in my time knowing him.

I was surprised when he hugged me. "Thank you..."

I pat his back hesitantly. "It's not me you need to thank."

He nodded and returned to his place. Finally, my brother and sister went, faces no longer contorted with rage. Last was my mother, tears flowing freely as she took her time to relieve herself of her burdens. "He is in your hands now..." I raised my eyebrows at the words, but kept silent, knowing what ever she meant by them, Nyx understood.

I took a slow breath as the little fires still burned, but not yet took. I closed my eyes and went through everything I hated about the man who was my father. He never wanted us, he openly despised Zoey, he plotted against us, the list went on, then I raised my arms and the flames began to grow until everything was engulfed. "Farewell Viorel, we deliver you into the hands of Night."

I didn't step back, I didn't feel the need even though the flames were almost touching me, they didn't burn. In fact, if not for the fact that the fire was burning everything in it, I wouldn't have even thought them hot. I sighed, stepping back only to get a better view of the spectacle because I felt the awe of my pack.

It was big, and burned brighter than I thought possible. After I stepped away I noticed that wind surrounded it in order to keep it contained and the ground tremored slightly beneath us. Then I saw something curious, his body was riddled with little fires, eating at his flesh and if I had to guess inside to. Well, that works too...

He will suffer... she will see to that...

And yet I feel no joy or sadness at the thought...

Amethyst chuckled. You offered your pain and hatred as well, she will use it all.

I nodded. If that is her wish...

Finally, flames receded and only left ash in it's wake. I only got a brief look as the wind swept them towards the water leaving only the scorched earth as testament to what happened. I faced my pack again and smiled as they all looked a lot better than when when we started. The air was light, not weighed down with the negative feelings of before. "Now that that is over with... what to you say to a Run?"

Smiles spread across everyone's faces except Ezekiel and William. "For our guests, a Run is when we as a pack all shift and literally do just that through our territory. You are free to participate if it pleases you."

They simply nodded and I smirked as Amethyst took over and we shifted. The pack shifted in kind, down to the smallest that could and she paced in front of them a few times. She looked toward the Moon. Let's run...

With that she howled and took off, they did the same and it was glorious as always. I felt them fall into rank picking and playing with each other as we went. I sat back and enjoyed the ride glancing at Alastair as he joined us in the front. They simply nodded at each other and I was amused.

I felt Ezekiel had a million questions and linked with his mind. Let them have their time, we do not interfere with this.

His emotions were everywhere, but all good. This is...

I smiled softly. Later... right now just enjoy the ride.

He fell silent and I left his mind and closed my eyes. Thanks for your help... I hope you too are satisfied... The warm peace filled me again and I simply basked in it, letting the world fall away.