Filed to story: Heritage of Shadows: Seeking True Mate Free Online
“I am heading back now. Everything is under control here.” Sam said as a group of men started moving out. He must have mind linked them.
“Thank you for your help.” Sion said, nodding his head respectfully.
“So, you will be coming back shortly to see your mother?” I heard a voice from the side and turned my head to see Adam talking to Gia. He looked a bit sad and reluctant to leave her.
“Yes, my place is by Conners side. After things are settled here the two of us will make a trip to the Diamond pack.” Gia said as Conner walked up to her side.
“You and your mate will always be welcome. Anytime you want to visit.” Conner said, reaching his hand out to shake Adams. I watched as Adam then pulled his daughter into a full embrace. His eyes closed tight as he squeezed her gently.
“If you ever need anything your mother and I will be there for you.”
“Thanks, daddy.”
I watched as Adam and Sam walked away together. Sam patted Adams shoulder and seemed to be giving him the extra nudge he needed. We watched them until they shifted and then disappeared into the woods.
“How is Kai?” Logan asked as he ran up to us. I could see the concern in his eyes.
“Kai is good. There are some changes… he will be returning to our pack but wont be staying there. He will eventually be moving to the Diamond pack with his new mate.” Sion said and then smiled.
“Mate?! He has a mate?!” Conner asked and I nodded my head.
“The kelpie who saved him was his mate.” I said and listened as Logan began to chuckle.
“He is going to have his hands full with that one.” Logan laughed and then turned his head. “The packs are waiting… and I think Joey is just waiting to talk to you before they leave.” His eyes met with mine and I nodded my head.
I looked in the distance and could see Joey organizing the Sulfur pack. It looks like they have accepted him as the new leader. “Ill just be a minute.” I turned and started to take a step when Sions hand locked onto my arm.
“We will just be a minute.” He said with a faint smile. His eyes looked at me nervously and I could see he was concerned about me. I was okay… or at least I thought I was. That all changed as we walked closer to the Sulfur pack. On a cart were bodies of the fallen and on a separate cart were two others covered by a sheet.
My vision blurred as silent tears cascaded down my face, a physical representation of the anguish and sorrow coursing through my body. My nose burned with each ragged breath that I took, desperate for air. The sight of the covered bodies was too much to bear, and agony sliced through me like a sharpened blade. Gone were Denny and Judes hearty laughs and light-hearted jokes, leaving behind nothing but an aching void in their wake. Even though their souls had returned to the life pool, part of me would always feel their loss. There was an emptiness left inside of me that could never be filled.
I felt Sions arm wrap around me as my body trembled. It was all still too fresh. I had pushed it back in the depths of my mind. While I was busy fighting, I could ignore this pain… but it was there.
“Clover.” I heard Joeys gentle voice, and I lifted my gaze up to him. He looked tired but there was also a new aura around him. He was trying to be the strong leader he needed to be now. Yet, I could see the anguish in his eyes. The pain from losing his closest friends and his Alpha. At least he had his mate, Stacey. She would remain close to his side and be his biggest comfort.
I stepped out of Sions embrace and stepped into Joeys. His hand came around my head and my back, pulling me into his chest. He leaned his head down to mine and he let out a shaky breath.
“I dont know where to start. I dont know how I will live in the pack house. It will be so empty. I-I-I cant believe they left without me—“” His voice broke and I felt his wet liquid run down my cheek mixing with my own. I felt his hands shaking as he tried to swallow back his choking sobs. “Im going to make him proud. Im going to lead the pack right… but right now…”
“Right now, you need to mourn.” Sions voice said, making us look back at him. His sad hazel eyes were looking at me and then back to Joey. “The whole pack needs to mourn. Declare a time of mourning and take a week to have a proper memorial for your fallen pack members. You are not alone, Joey. We will help you rebuild well help you find new officers and restore your packs strength.” Sions words dripped with empathy and sincerity, as he continued to address Joey directly. His eyes would flicker at me but then go back to Joey.
“You might find it helpful to remodel the pack house. Have a crew change the upper level where you all stayed so that you dont continue to live with the ghosts of the past. Denny and Jude are moving on. They will have a new life… and you should too. Keep their memory close and remember their sacrifice but dont live with their shadows.”
Joey nodded his head, taking in everything Sion had said. His grip on me loosened as he wiped away the tears from his eyes, regaining his composure.
“Youre right. We need to move forward and honor their memory.” Joey said, his voice still hoarse but determined. “Thank you, Sion. It means a lot.” He would need to stay strong for his remaining pack members and lead them through this difficult time. And we would all be there to support him.
Stacey stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Joey to offer him her support. I felt Sions hand land on my shoulder, pulling me back into his chest.
“Are you okay?” He murmured into my hair.
I took a deep breath and slowly nodded my head. “I am… or I will be. Its just… hard… its raw.”
“I know.” He cooed gently, “Im here…and Im going to help you.” I looked up at Sion, grateful for his unwavering presence and support.
“Im here too. We can help each other…” Joey said and I nodded my head. I am sure there will be times he will need to talk with someone who understands his pain.
“What happened with Taylor?” Sion asked and my eyes darted around. I didnt see her anywhere.
“Andrea stepped down as the Luna and as her last duty she killed Taylor. Her judgment was death, and it was fitting that she got to deliver it. Andrea has chosen to leave the Sulfur pack. She has already left. She is returning to the city to live with distant family. Her mother was also a traitor and Andrea needs… time. I dont think she will ever return to pack life.” Joey sighed and then looked over the Sulfur pack. “We have a long journey ahead of us, but I couldnt leave without seeing you.” His eyes met with mine. “Were going to be okay, huh?” He said, giving me a weak smile. I nodded my head wiping the tears from my eyes.
“Of course, we are. Denny and Jude would kick our butts if they saw us falling apart over them.” I said with a weak laugh.
“That they would.” Joeys eyes softened as he looked at me.
“Come and visit soon. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Im pregnant!” I said and watched a genuine smile reach his eyes and lips.
“Now that is some wonderful news. You are going to be a great momma, Clover.” I felt my eyes start to burn as I fought off the tears from falling again. He just had to say the one thing that would get me choked up.
“Thank you, Joey.”
Joey backed away from us, wiping the tears from his eyes. “Well… I need to go. I have a lot of work to do. Thank you both.”
“We will be seeing you soon. And remember, let us know what you need. We are here to help. That isnt an empty promise.” Sion said and Joey gave him an appreciative smile.
I watched as he turned, taking Staceys hand in his. As he walked back towards the pack his posture straightened as he took on the role of a leader. Denny had made the right choice. Joey was going to be a great leader for the Sulfur pack. I watched them as the Sulfur pack moved out and continued to, until they disappeared from my view. I felt Sions arms tighten around me, pulling me in closer to his warm embrace. His lips brushed against my forehead, and I closed my eyes, relishing in the comfort that his touch brought me.
“Im going to miss them. Its going to be hard on Joey, but he will do it. Wont he?” I asked, leaning my head back to look at Sion.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?