The Rising Moon Pack

Chapter 4

Harry POV

The night before Maria's birthday, I had been sat up in my office. I didn't understand why, but the thought of her turning 18 in the morning, and possibly finding her mate and leaving later that day made my heart ache. She was all I had left of Bella, the only one who could possibly understand a sliver of the grief I felt. I felt drawn to her, comforted by her. She convinced me to eat when I would rather starve, and she kept me company in times I felt lonely. She was like a second daughter to me, the only living memory I had of Bella. Losing Maria felt like I was losing Bella all over again. As the clock struck midnight and we entered Maria's official birthday, I let the grief consume me and cried myself to sleep.

I slept restlessly, my mind replaying the moment the pack's border patrols came to tell me that they'd found Bella's body. I recalled the way they looked at me, their hearts full of complete sorrow. Losing Bella was heartbreaking to the entire pack, but for me it was earth shattering.

I was pulled from my dream by the sound of a beautiful melody and someone touching my shoulder. I opened my eyes, and saw Maria standing beside me. If I hadn't known any better, I could have sworn her beautiful emerald eyes were glowing.

"Maria?" I asked, confused. "What are you doing here?"

"I brought you your lunch, Uncle. " she replied. " But if you're not hungry just yet, there's something I want to show you in the garden."

" What is it, Maria?" I asked.

"It's a surprise!" she said, laughing.

I looked at her suspiciously. I decided to mindlink Ben, maybe he knew what was happening. As if she could read my mind, Maria said, laughing

"Dad isn't gonna tell you, and neither will my mom, they planned this on purpose."

"f*****g wonderful." I thought to myself. I hated surprises.

"Okay, fine. Let's go. "

The house was busy with preparations for the party later that day. The alphas from neighbouring and long distance packs weren't due to arrive until late that afternoon, so the house was filled with omegas assembling tables and chairs, making balloon arches, carting food to the kitchen and getting ready to welcome our guests. A lot of the neighbouring Alphas would be staying behind over the next few days as part of the Alphas meeting. A lot of the packs were based from further away so weren't required to attend. This meant that alongside omegas carrying food, there was also a ton of omegas carrying laundry from one room to another. As I ducked under a balloon arch, Maria grabbed a large tea towel from one of the passing omegas and started to fold it. She held it out to me, and I looked at her, confused.

"Uncle Harry, do you trust me?" She said

"Of course, Maria."

She tied the makeshift blindfold and placed my hand on her shoulder.

"Just follow me, I'll guide you. I wont let you fall." she said.

I felt her walk forward and I followed her. I knew Maria was as good as her word, she wouldn't let anything harm me.

"There's the back door step here Uncle," She said, "Step now."

I listened, and stepped down. I could smell the familiar scents of the pack gardens. Various trees were in bloom, and I could feel a slight breeze brushing my cheek. Maria continued to guide me for what felt like forever, until we came to a stop.

"Are you ready?" She asked me.

I could sense she was nervous, and I wondered what she was worried about. I nodded my head, and she gently removed my blindfold. As my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the light outside, I realised that she had brought me to their treehouse. I looked up at the branches where it rested, pale pink and lilac shimmer shone down at me and I was in awe of its beauty. Ben and I had both built this for our girls when they were 5 years old, and they spent most of their childhood inside its walls. I had never seen it look so beautiful though, as it had been recently painted.

"Did you paint this?" I turned to Maria and asked.

"Actually, no." She replied, also looking up at the treehouse in complete awe. " I hadn't even noticed it had been painted. "

At that moment, Ben and Kate joined us under the tree. I turned and asked them. "Was this you?"

Kate stepped forward and nodded. "Yes," she said. "But that's not all."

Maria took my hand, and directed me towards where I knew Bella's favourite swing had been. As I looked up, my heart leapt. There she was, my beautiful Bella, sat on the swing. Just like in the picture. I walked over and reached out, tracing every line and every freckle on her cheeks. I was disappointed to feel how cold she was, it was a reminder that this was not the real Bella, but a statue that looked exactly like her. Nonetheless, it brought me joy, a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time.

I started to weep, and Kate reached out to me and took hold of my hand.

" Is everything ok? " She asked gently.

I didn't have the words. I couldn't speak, the tears wouldn't let me. I enveloped Kate in a hug and cried onto her shoulder. She returned the hug, and stood stroking my hair until I calmed. I stepped back, then pulled Ben into a hug.

"She will always be a part of our family, and our pack, Harry." He said. "We loved her from the moment she opened those beautiful silver eyes, and we always will."

"I can't describe to you how much this means to me," I said as I pulled away. " She was all I had left."

"You're never alone, Uncle Harry." Maria said, surprising me. " Bella still loves you and wants you to be happy."

"You've always got a place with us Harry. You're a vital part of our family and we couldn't bare to ever lose you." Kate took my hand and said. "You know that, don't you?"

I thought about it and nodded my head. I hadn't felt like I belonged here since Bella had died. I felt like I was completely alone and no-one understood my loss. But I was wrong, and I was right where I belonged.

This was my home.