Bound By Legend

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: HOLY RITES

REVERIE

“This is f*****g unbearable.” Uma snapped. Her voice through the silence was so abrupt I thought I spoke my own thoughts out loud.

We both fidgeted with our little black dresses–not the sexy kind unfortunately–I tried to settle my breathing.

“Do we have to do this?” She whined.

I laughed. “You don’t have to be here. I am doing it because I feel like I owe it to Draven.”

“Yeah, yeah, he was the only one nice to you besides Satori and Seth. Blah Blah. I’m your ride or die, bitch.” She waved her hands dismissively.

I sighed right alongside Kamari inside of me as she asked. “Draven would understand if you didn't attend. You know that, right? Carlos was well aware of how they treated you, I am sure they spoke about it during their time alone.”

My heart squeezed at the mention of Draven’s lost wolf soul. The worst part of losing a pack member wasn't just losing the person–it’s losing the wolf too. The lace around my neck made my skin itch as I looked out into the gray night. It was as if the Moon Goddess herself was in mourning, she’d hidden the moon behind the clouds. I placed a hand over my heart.

Our wolves weren’t pets or creatures that served us. They may have been their own beings, with their own needs and thoughts, but they were the other halves of our souls. Our wolves were the only beings in the universe–besides the Moon Goddess herself–that truly knew who we were at our core. A constant, unwavering confidante, best friend, was such an understatement. There was no word that could describe the bond between a Wolf and their chosen host.

“Kamari… I appreciate all the things you do for me.” I whispered internally.

I felt her smile against our energy. “I am grateful for our connection, Reverie. Our bond is strong.”

There was a knock on the door. “You ready?” Leoric’s voice came through.

Uma smirked knowingly.

‘What?” I asked.

“Just wondering when the two of you will finally make it official. And maybe get laid?” She teased.

I stumbled and clutched the end of the end table I nearly took out. “Umie!” I cried out in surprise.

She laughed as she pulled the door open and walked out. “Your Lycan-ness, your date awaits…” she bowed as if she were presenting me for a pageant or something.

“You are ridiculous.” Leoric said.

“Thank you!” I said, grateful someone else sounded as exasperated as I felt.

“You look breathtaking, Rev.” He whispered as his eyes traveled the length of me.

I looked down. “I’m literally wearing black?”

Uma nudged my hip with hers. “Black lace….”

I rolled my eyes. “Let's go.”

“Get it over with?” Uma finished my thought.

“Draven deserves better than that.” I corrected halfheartedly. I didn't want to voice the emotion because of the guilt I felt for even having the thought.

“But the rest of them don’t,” Leoric offered.

“That doesn’t mean he needs to suffer because of that,” I said, “He has already suffered so much in life. I refuse to disparage him in death.

“You and your bleeding heart. I truly think he would understand Revie,” Uma whispered back as she took my hand and squeezed it.

“We aren’t staying long,” Leoric stated. “They’re up to something.”

I moved to argue, but Kamari interjected, “He’s not wrong.” I sighed.

“Even here? They’d dare?”

She sighed in response. “They don’t care about the optics. Delilah’s ego won’t let her back off when there is a performance to be had.. Christine projects all of her internal suffering onto you, although I don’t understand why?. Kieran is well, Kieran.”

“So basically, I am the only one in this family that is focused on Draven?” I growled.

“I can’t wait until you are out of here. Distasteful.”

‘As usual. I hate it here.” Uma echoed the sentiment.

We arrived at the venue and a slap nearly landed on my face before Kamari used my hand to catch it midair.

Out of the corner of my eye, Leoric’s hand hovered nearby as if he planned to grab it if Kamari hadn’t.

Uma’ s eyes glowed green as she had claws out and pressed against Delilah’s chest, any sudden movement she’d be pierced. “You want to try that again?”

I hadn’t even seen her move.

“What the Goddess do you think you are doing during these holy rites?" Leoric snarled.

“What the f**k are you doing here!! Get out!! You are the reason Draven is dead!” Delilah screeched.

The whole accusation was absurd. I pushed her back from me as I released her arm. “I would love to know the reasoning behind that accusation. Maybe after the funeral we can discuss?"

She stumbled back on her way too high stilettos–not sure how she managed to do anything in them besides fall–which she did–and Kieran caught her immediately.

“You refused to treat him!” she cried.

“Delilah–” Kieran attempted to intervene as his gaze scanned the growing crowd. Delilah took that moment to put on the waterworks as her voice raised.

“Alpha Kieran, if the great Dr. Dawne everyone talks so highly of would’ve had a modicum of respect for you and your family, she would’ve saved him!”

I stared at her in disbelief. My eyes blinked slowly for a moment as I attempted to process what the f**k was going on.

Leoric and Uma shot daggers at the two, ready to rescue me via a river of blood if necessary.

Just like we had predicted, whether I treated him or not, this funeral would be happening, and I would be blamed for his death. These people are sick.

“I couldn't–not–wouldn’t treat Draven Solvane when he was at that pivotal moment in between coming out of his coma and death. The minute I terminated my employment with Solvane Frost Pack Hospital,” I paced as I spoke.

“I was blood blocked from ever entering the treatment rooms unless I reestablished my employment.”

“Apologies, Dr. Dawne.” Kieran said and wrapped an arm protectively around Deilah. “She is deep in her mourning period.”

“Now, if you are quite done. I am here to bury Draven.”

I walked toward the gate to the agency’s rose gardens, my heart thundered in my chest.

Warriors showed in force as they stood tall and proud. The path was laid out with a red carpet.

Red roses danced with moon flowers as they reached the sky along the pillars that lined the walkway. Soft, but eerie flute music floated across the space. Pack members mourned and prayed nearby. The cars for the procession line created their formation in the distance.

The calming atmosphere was sobering, but not nearly as comforting as one would hope for someone on the inside of the Solvane nightmare at least. .

What happened to you Draven? What did they do to you?

My soon-to-be-ex-husband and his mistress bickered behind me.

Their footsteps were deliberate as they followed.

Is this just paranoia?

Something is wrong…

Or is this performance all a part of their plan?

Kamari’s warning came a second too late.

The guard shack immediately next to me exploded.