The Alpha's widow

The Funeral II

Margaret stared at the passport photograph with admiration in her eyes; in the passport photo, his dark piercing eyes captured a depth of confidence set against a backdrop of strong, chiselled features. A subtle smile played on his lips, adding an air of mystery that drew her gaze, making the mundane document feel like a glimpse into an intriguing world.

“He sure looks attractive, my lady,” Grace said with a playful smile on her lips. “Wonder why he's smiling for a passport photograph though.”

Margaret shook herself out of her thoughts before dropping the tablet in Grace's hands. “Hire him.” She ordered.

“What?!” Grace exclaimed in shock.

“You heard me,” Margaret replied, turning to stare out the window in an attempt to hide the blush creeping up her face.

Grace sat down opposite her in an attempt to look at her face, “but you have not read his file,” she said. “You know nothing about him except for the fact that he is cute.”

Margaret's face turned a deeper shade of pink as she stared hard at the window, “what is there to know?” She asked.

“Well, I am glad you asked,” Grace replied with a sigh. “I was beginning to think I had done all this research for nothing.”

“Then go ahead,” Margaret replied, turning to face Grace with her skin back to its original colour.

“This is Victor Chavez,” she said pointing at the passport photograph in front of them both. “He was born to an American mother and a Spanish father who are both werewolves since that was the criteria you gave before instructing me to look for help,” she continued. “He served in the military for a while in Afghanistan but was discharged due to his…uh…extracurricular activities.” She concluded.

Margaret, hearing that, quirked an eyebrow in confusion, “extracurricular activities?” She asked.

“Exactly, my lady,” Grace replied as she typed on the tablet.

“It states here he was caught in bed with an Afghan woman after going missing for a day prior.”

“Oh, wow!” Margaret exclaimed. “So he's a womanizer?” She asked.

“I would not put it past him,” Grace replied.

“Anything else I need to know?” Margaret asked.

“He's a stray.” She replied.

“And why is that?” Margaret asked with a raised eyebrow.

“There isn't much reason as to why he is without a pack,” Grace said with a shrug. “He has never let anyone know.”

Scrunching her face in thought for a second before deciding to throw it into the back of her mind, she asked, “Is there anything to note about his career?”

“There is,” Grace replied, going to the next page of the dossier. “He became a private investigator after fulfilling the requirements and has gone on to make quite a name for himself in the industry.”

“How so?” Margaret asked.

“He has solved all the cases assigned to him,” Grace replied. “But he rarely takes cases though.”

“And why is that?” Margaret asked.

“Because he wants a case that will challenge him,” Grace replied. “He's a werewolf which makes it quite easy for him to sniff out clues…literally.” She added with a smile

“So if we eventually get him to take my case, he won't come cheap?” Margaret asked.

“I'm afraid so, my lady,” Margaret replied.

Margaret sighed in exhaustion, “Just reach out to him, please.” She said. “Finding out who killed my husband is of utmost importance.

“I understand my lady,” Grace replied with a slight bow. “I will get it done.”

“Knock, Knock.” A knocking sound came from her limousine window. Turning to stare at who was responsible, she realised it was her driver knocking.

“Have we arrived yet?” She asked with a frown.

“Yes my lady,” Grace replied as she turned off the tablet. “The limo stopped around a minute ago.”

“I almost didn't notice,” Margaret said with a sigh. Standing and adjusting her black gown, she stepped out of the limousine with the driver holding the door open for her. “Let's get on with this.” She said as she walked towards the church's entrance with Grace in tow.

Stepping into the church, she noticed how full the clearing was with her in-laws present.

Feeling a gaze on her, the mother-in-law turned around and noticed Margaret staring at her, which brought a frown to her face.

“That b***h is here.” Mrs Williams said to her husband beside her.

“She might hear you.” Mr Williams whispered in alarm before turning to glance at where Margaret stood only to see her walking away to a pew. “You seem to forget that she isn't human but a werewolf like us so she has better hearing than most.” He added.

“We need to make sure we are in her good graces until we find out what's in our son's will, at least”. Mr Williams said.

“But I still do not like this.” Mrs Williams said with a displeased expression on her face. “That b***h is just a gold digger that was interested in my son's wealth and power and now that he is no longer alive, she might end up with everything while we end up with nothing.”

Mr Williams shook his head with a helpless smile on his face. “We can't help it, my dear,” he said as he held her in his arms. “We just have to endure her until she is no longer needed.” He said with a smile.

As they concluded their conversation, Elder John, the resident priest stepped inside. A solemn hush settled on the congregation as he made his way to the altar, his movements measured and reverent.

He knelt quietly facing the coffin, which held the remains of the dead alpha, mumbling a silent prayer before turning to face the congregation.

“Dear friends,” he began. “We are gathered here to celebrate the life of Mr. Frederick Douglass. He was a blessing to us all as shown by all of you gathered here today.” He said. “This teaches us that we should always live good lives so that at the end of the day we…”

Margaret watching the priest ramble on, felt her attention waver as she stared at the clouds passing by.

“My lady!” A voice called out to her. “My lady!”

“Yes! What is it?” Margaret asked as she turned her gaze from the clouds only to see everyone around her staring at her.

“You're being called to say something about your husband,” Grace replied.

Margaret stared back at the people staring at her before shaking her head with a sigh escaping her lips. “I'm not in the right frame of mind,” she replied. “Tell the priest to carry on.” She said,

“Ok,” Grace replied with a frown as Margaret turned back to stare at the clouds.

A couple of hours later, the ceremony ended with her husband being buried in the ground. Walking back to her car, she stared at the ground in silent contemplation as she tried to keep her composure.

“My lady,” Grace called, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“What is it now?” Margaret asked with a groan.

“I am sorry to disturb you but we need to hurry,” Grace replied.

Glancing at Grace with a raised eyebrow, “And why should we?” She asked.

“The lawyer is at home and he wants to read the will of your late husband.” She replied.

“Are my in-laws there?” Margaret asked.

“Yes they are,” Grace replied. “And they're mounting pressure on the lawyer to read it in your absence so I suggest we hurry.”

Picking up her pace, Margaret replied, “Of course. We can't have those scavengers ruining anything.” She said with a frown as she entered her limousine.