Chapter 1: The grieving
It was night when at last she had heard the unwavering howl of her friend, Shadow. He crept out of the shadows and stepped into the clearing. His dark pelt gleamed in the moonlight and his eyes pierced hers with amber intensity. She kept on staring at him, until he looked away and she approached him. The wolf shook his body before leaning his forehead on her palm and let her see what would come, what nature had revealed.
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The funeral was quiet and only the remnants of sadness could be smelled in the air. All of the wolves listened to the ceremony of the priest and bowed respectfully when their Alpha went up front and spoke about his late mate. He never spoke badly of her, as were his manners as old as his age. He spoke only of the good things, refraining from doing anything more damaging. The pack had not liked his mate, and so would not lie to them and say that she was kind. He spoke the truth in his own way.
"I know that Leah was not the best Alpha mate, but she was pack. She had her own temper and fits, but that was her own way of expressing her inner turmoils. Though to this day, her ways still puzzle me, I do know she should not be judged for having only one way or not knowing well to respond to others socially. She did not deserve to die like this. This was most unfavorable and I hope that all of you join me to bless her soul to the next life in peace. Leah was fearsome in her own way. To have an enraged spirit Leah would be most frightening." He attempted to joke a bit, yet; still he did not give way to his expressions.
Bran looked over the crowd of people in the Church and tried to see their responses. Everyone bowed in respect, as he started to bless her soul by speaking in Welsh. His sons joined him in unison, while the wolves joined in English and Anna joined in Latin. They all tried to convey their sorrow of a fellow pack mate's death, even though Leah was not nice or welcoming to them, it was still necessary. Their Alpha was old fashioned that way.
After they had all wished her a well journey to the other side, they all left to their own houses. Bran left with his sons and respected mates. When he reached his home, he found his adopted daughter there with half the pack of her mate, Adam Hauptman, the Basin Pack Alpha. She looked worried, and turned to embrace him in comfort. He hugged her back. Adam and the other wolves bowed their heads in respect. He didn't know what to do, so he settled for sitting in the couch.
Anna and Charles sat at another alongside Samuel and his mate Arianna. The room was quiet. After a few minutes, it seemed like the coyote shifter would say something, but then thought better of it and closed her mouth. Bran sighed heavily wishing to leave this place. The Beast was unsteady and kept pacing in his mind in circles. He sighed heavily and then left to go to his room. He crawled to his bed and slept, clothes and all.
That was what happened in the next couple of days. The Marrock slouched in his room for mourning the loss of his mate. The pack felt the strain in their bond, but couldn't do anything for fear of angering the Beast within the man. Mercy, her mate and his wolves stayed in a hotel, but took turns in cooking for Bran. Anna and Charles took care of pack business and visited him regularly. Sometimes, even the Moor would visit him with Sage. Samuel and his fae mate stayed in his spare room and were always checking up on him. He felt like a baby after a while, needing constant care. However, it was not far from the truth. His wolf seemed on edge and he felt like he was walking on thin ice and was grateful for the help.
After a few weeks, Bran started to go back to work, but his mind was constantly moody. For that, Mercy took up her courage and asked the wolves to go to a bar and have some fun. She and her mate found a scheme to invite the Marrock to get himself relaxed, maybe even meet a date for the night, to ease his internal turmoil.
Surprisingly, Bran agreed. "I can't take it being here anymore. It is too stuffy and I could use fresh air. Maybe the humans will distract me from my own problems."
"I know. Let's get going, before Charles changes his mind. Anna is excited about this. She hasn't been on the bar in the next town." replied Mercy with a smirk.
Bran gave one of his rare smiles and entered Adam's car on the back seat while the Alpha sat co-pilot to his coyote mate. Jesse, his daughter, sat beside the weary old wolf.