Severed Moon

Celebration of Life

My sister's funeral procession took an entire week. As was common for that of a Luna. The first day consisted of 'I'm sorry' and 'she was so young'. On the second and third day, I began tuning them out as numbness settled in my bones.

Today's the final day of the procession, and I couldn't even celebrate the life of my sister properly. Standing off to the side, a drink of something sweet in my hand, I watched the crowd as they dallied around the estate's manor. My eyes slithered over each one of them. Who is the culprit? Are they even among this crowd? They danced over where my sister took her last breath.

My eyes then landed on Caleb surrounded by Betas and a few male Omegas as he drank. My chest squeezed and my leg itched. I wanted to go over there, to join them and have fun. The last day of funerals was always the funnest for me. It was when the tears dried up and the drinks flowed never-ending and food never ran out. Laughter would reach up to the heavens, an aroma pleasing to the Moon Goddess in a celebration of life. But I couldn't.

How could I? Not after what my sister wrote me. A figure came up from behind me and I tensed, spinning around, the drink in my hand sloshing. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Alpha Alistair." I lowered my head to the ground.

"It's all right, Little One. Let me get you another drink." I did not oppose as he reached for my drink. I hardly spilled that much. Reaching over to pour me a new drink, he took a sip out of it before giving it back to me. "All perfect. How are you doing?"

I nodded, "I'm well, thank you," my soft voice said.

He leaned down closer to me, "Something tells me that's a little lie, Stella. I've kept my eye on you this entire evening, and you've yet to enjoy yourself for a single moment. Why is that? Even Colvin has cracked a few smiles here and there in reminiscing about our Luna."

My chest constricted, "I just... I miss her." What a soppy lie. If her own mate was able to smile at her remembrance ceremony, then why could she not? She had only met Alistair a few years ago, but still...he was always a decent man. He was kind, caring, the perfect example of an Alpha who diligently leads his pack.

"Me too. I think her death has many of us wondering what's next."

I nodded. "Alpha Colvin will need to remate, won't he?"

He released a sigh, his shoulders sagging. "The other Alphas and I have been discussing it. He is young for werewolf standards and for a pack as small as yours...it needs more pups. Remating would be the ideal thing, but...it's unimaginable for any of us to impose it on him. He lost his fated mate...we couldn't do that to him."

"Yeah," she took a sip of her drink, but he did not leave. In fact, he kept looking at her, as if he had something more to say. Slowly, she dragged her eyes up to look at him.

"That is why our talks shifted to you," he said, his words careful.

I creased my brows, my heart picking up speed.

"As you know, your sister being Luna meant you didn't have to attend Lycan School. However, I think it's time you attend and learn the ways. You can't hide from what you are forever."

I swallowed. Fate closing in on me little by little. "Of course," was all I could say. How could I reject an Alpha's wishes? Especially when I am the final living woman in my family.

Alistair tilted his head as he saw through my expression. I tried to hide it, to remain neutral and accepting, but my kind is always meant to be easily readable. Easily emotional. I fought not to clench my fists in frustration. "Maybe this is the year you finally stop fighting fate," he gestured over to a laughing Caleb.

My breathing hitched, and I stared at the drink in my hand. He rested a hand on my shoulder, "He loves you, Stella."

"I know."

He sighed and diverted the topic to my relief, "The school will be good for you. It'll help you understand what you want in this life. You'll meet other people who you haven't known your entire life." He chuckled and I did a small one.

"Thank you," I said.

He nodded and finally, he left, leaving me standing there. My jaw clenched and relaxed before I set my drink down, walking over to Caleb. Even though it felt impossible to believe that any of them may have had anything to do with my sister's death, I'd never find anything standing off to the side.

His eyes found mine before I even fully reached over there. "Stellie! Come here!"

Oh, he was so very drunk.

I smiled, "Hi, Alpha Caleb, may I sit?"

"Of course, Stellie! Sit, sit, join us!" I sat next to him on the couch, and he placed an arm around me. "You okay?" He slurred.

I nodded, "Yeah."

"I'm not," he gagged and ran to throw up. I gasped and ran after him. He wiped his mouth, "I feel so much better, remind me not to drink again, okay, Stellie?"

I nodded. That's what he said last time, and the time before that. Colvin and Caleb were always the drinkers, but now that Colvin barely drank a thing, it seems Caleb tried to make up for it.

"Want me to take you home?" I offered.

He nodded, leaning down and resting his head on my shoulder. "Yes, please."

I moved to help him get upstairs, but he groaned. "Nooo, not the room. It's horrible hearing Colvin whimper every night. Your place."

I wanted to tell him that my home only had one bedroom, but he wasn't even in a position to care. Before walking him outside, I approached Alphas, Alistair and Rowan. "Alphas? Alpha Caleb is sick, may I---"

"Of course, Stella. Go on." Alistair interrupted, a small smile lingering on his lips.

Caleb and I left the manor, his arm around my shoulder, but it wasn't as if he was resting his weight on me. In fact, he seemed more tired than drunk after throwing up. "How do you feel now?"

His brows furrowed, "They're sending you to the school. Did Alistair tell you?"

I nodded, pursing my lips. "Yeah, he just did tonight."

"I know you didn't want to go. You weren't ready—aren't ready. I'm sorry." His eyes met mine, beautiful and gray. They were filled with worry.

"It's okay, Caleb."

"I'll be there at the school. You won't have to worry about any of the other Alphas, okay? And when I can't be there, Alistair and Rowan will be there. We'll protect you, I promise."

I nodded, "Thank you, Caleb. You're my best friend, you know that?"

His eyes flashed in pain, "Yeah, yeah, I know. And you're mine," he said, his voice a little lower.