The Rising Moon Pack

Chapter 2

Harry POV

I looked out over the dining room, and even though I could see the smiling faces and hear the laughter, all I could think about was my Bella. A year ago, our lives were so happy, but looking at me now you wouldn't know that. I thought I had gone through the worst heartbreak of my life when her mother, Lacey, was taken from us during an attack. I thought that the pain of feeling the mate bond break, feeling Lacey's final moments, knowing how terrified she was and knowing I couldn't get to her in time to save her was the worst pain I would ever feel. But I was wrong, so so wrong.

I felt my eyes wandering across the room, watching people as they sat with their families. I used to love watching people interact, it would bring me joy to see pups with their parents. But these days, all it did was remind me of all I had lost. I looked over to Luna Kate, she was clearly mid discussion about something, animatedly buttering her toast as she spoke. I looked at Ben, my best friend since we were pups, and I felt envious. How is it he could have his children and mate, but I was destined to lose mine? My eyes wandered further down the table to my own chair. I had so many conflicting emotions, I had once been happy and proud to be this packs Beta, but since the loss of my wife and my daughter, all it was was a reminder. Everywhere I looked, some memory of Bella or Lacey lurked.

Right next to my chair, there Bella's sat. It was painted the palest of pinks, the colour she had requested at her 4th birthday when Luna Kate had made Bella and I a permanent part of their family. We ate our meals together, and Kate raised my daughter and loved her as much as her own. Next to Bella's chair, there was Lacey's. It was metallic lilac, and shimmered in the morning sunlight.

Our pack members each had their own chairs. Each one was personalised in some way or another, whether that be colours, names, or stickers. Each member had their own, and if a pack member ever passed away, we kept their chairs at our tables. We believed that even when they had gone to the Kingdom above, meal time was family time, so we saved them a seat.

Looking at it now though, it seemed like an unbearable reminder. It hurt to see, so many full chairs and yet my family's chairs were empty. I needed to get out of here, I couldn't let the pack see me break down.

Maria POV

I took the juice and food and followed Harry's scent and found that he had gone to his office. I set the juice on a nearby windowsill and knocked gently.

"Uncle Harry?"I called quietly.

"Come in kid." he replied.

I opened the door, picked up the juice and walked in. I placed the juice and plate down on the desk and closed the door behind me. Harry was sat in his chair, facing away from me. His voice sounded gruff, like he had been crying.

" Uncle Harry, are you alright? I brought you some of your favourites." I said.

When he didn't answer, I walked around the other side of the desk and saw why. In his hands, he held 2 photographs. One was of my aunt Lacey, and the other was Bella. Bella was playing on the swings down by the packhouse, smiling and laughing at whoever was snapping the picture.

"She used to love that swing." I said softly, as a tear fell down my cheek.

"She did. I remember one time, she had me pushing her for hours! I was so sore at training the next day that Terry had to take pity on me and let me leave early." Terry was our previous pack trainer, that we sadly lost in the same attack that Bella's mom died in. Henry cleared his throat, ready to speak again.

"I'm sorry I couldn't sit with you for breakfast, love. I just couldn't bring myself to watch everyone be so happy when I can't bring myself to feel the same way right now. You didn't have to bring me anything though, I have snacks up here."

"It's okay Uncle Harry, I don't mind. You need to eat, and I've been worried about you. You're not alone, though. I know my mom misses her too, as much as I do." I replied.

He brought his gaze up to meet mine. "You're such a sweet girl, Maria. My Bella was so lucky to have a friend like you. I can find comfort knowing she went to the Kingdom above knowing she was loved."

I felt a lump begin to build in my throat, and as the tears threatened to spill from my eyes, I opened my mouth to say something else, then I heard my mom's Luna tone bellowing throughout the house.

"MARIA JADE JOHNSON YOU ARE GOING TO BE LATE!"

"I'd better go, before she rips the house apart looking for me." I laughed, " Don't forget to eat!".

"Thank you, Maria. Have a good day at school."