Funeral

I went to the closet with my grandma to pack my bags. I packed light since I wouldn't be staying there for a long time. 

Henry and Kyle looked devastated to see me leave, but they promised they'd visit me soon. They each hugged me tightly and opened the car door for me. 

Ael and Beth called to check on me during my car ride to the Onxy Moon pack. We have kept in touch for these five years, and we are still good friends. When my family came to visit me monthly, they did too. 

"How dear feel deary," My grandpa asks. 

"I'm sad," 

"Your Dad is in a better place, reunited with your mom," he said with a smile. I nodded. He was right. Dad was with Mom now.

As we approached the pack gates, anticipation bubbled in my stomach, and I felt nervous. I had to remind myself that I was no longer constantly weak. I wouldn't let anyone bully me or talk down to me. I was a chosen warrior wolf, a once-in-a-generation blessed. I was my father's true daughter. 

'Hayes and Zylon will be there. They are alphas of the pack,' Ria reminded quietly. Our alpha died five years ago, a month after I left, and Hayes and Zylon were forced to become alpha immediately. And from what I hear, they are doing a great job and have made this pack one of the strongest. 

'No one knows of our bond, and I hope it stays that way. I want nothing to do with them.' 

My grandma observed me throughout the trip. She suspected I ran away because of a boy, but I didn't confirm her suspicions.

"If anyone tries something with you. I'll poison them or gouge out their eyes," she said calmly. My grandpa looked mortified but didn't say anything. I managed a smile and thanked her. 

Reaching home, I exited the car, and my grandparents looped their arms with mine as we headed inside. My wolf's keen sense of hearing and smell alerted me to soft chatter from inside, and most importantly, I caught the scent of two familiar scents that made my wolf and me wince. I stood for a moment on the threshold of the great room. I spotted Mom talking with the former Luna, Maggie. She was always kind to me. We stepped inside, and my mom stood abruptly and ran to embrace me. 

"Mom," I whispered, holding back my tears. Tate joined in the hug, too. They finally released me, and Luna Maggie hugged me, offering her condolences as my brother and mom greeted my grandparents. Even though they are my biological mother's parents, they got along well, and I was thankful for that. 

"Is that acne, Rue? Is she ... hot?" I heard Begonia's annoying voice. 

"She's freaking gorgeous!" Mary whispered. 

"I saw her pictures on Tate's phone, but I thought they were edited or something," Cindy said. I should have known she'd be here today. I honestly don't know why Tate was still dating her when he's so kind, and she's mean. And to be honest, she wasn't as pretty as she thought she was.

"Ruby," Cindy approached me. I groaned and gave her my back, but she still hugged me. "I'm just devastated about what happened to Archie," she cried. I pulled away from her. 

"Yeah," 

"By the way, you look amazing. All your acne is gone, and you got rid of those big glasses-" I raised a hand in her face, 

"Don't," I said and turned to face Mom. 

I had deliberately avoided looking at Hayes and Zylon since I first walked in, even though their intense stares felt like a heat wave against my skin. I didn’t want to acknowledge their presence, as though giving them my attention would somehow grant them power over me. Instead, I found solace on the island in the kitchen, a refuge from the social whirlwind surrounding me. 

I relished the fleeting moments of peace. But just as I began to relax, I sensed the twins closing in, their energy unmistakably heavy in the room. My stomach twisted into knots. 

I took a deep breath to steady my heartbeat and forced my expression to remain neutral. I was determined not to show any cracks in my composure. I could feel the weight of their scrutiny bearing down on me. Despite the chaos of emotions swirling in my chest, I refused to let them see. 

"Hello, Ruby Rue," a deep, sensual voice said. Zylon. I stood up and turned to face my mates. My heart stopped. Time had been good to them. They were even more handsome, if possible. They seemed taller than they were five years ago, and they filled up in a way that made me swallow—a light stubble covered Hayes's strong jaw. We said nothing for a moment. 

"We are sorry for your loss. Your father was a great man," Hayes said in a deep voice. I was hesitant to speak. I didn't know how to answer that, so I nodded slightly. My gaze looked between them, void of emotion, and they stood very still, their heated gaze piercing through me. 

"Excuse me," I attempted to leave, but Zylon held my wrist. The sparks that shot through my arm surprised both him and me. I took my hand back, 

"Don't touch me," I barked. I never wanted them to. 

"I know you hate us, but we are still mates. You shouldn't avoid us," Hayes said. Avoid? I planned to stay the fuck away from them. 

"I'm not avoiding you. I don't want to speak or look at you," I growled and left the room. I went upstairs and took a bath. When I left the tub, Beth and Ael were in my room. They hugged me tightly for a long time, and I cried when I saw my friends. 

The following morning was the day of my father's burial. I wore black low-rise jeans, an off-shoulder top, and boots. 

A driver drove us to the cemetery, packed with the pack's high-ranking members, some visiting alphas, and top warriors of the realm. My father was popular. It was a lovely send-off ceremony, but I was emotional. 

The following days were a blur and fast. I was in my home, the house I grew up in, but my Dad wasn't there. His will was simple. He left his estate to me and Tate and wrote us very touching letters. In my letter, he reminded me how much he loved me. He said I should be brave and always follow my gut. He knew what happened and why I left the pack, but I shouldn't be scared to love. He also warned me to be wary of evil, that my kind of wolf will attract power-hungry creatures. I had just finished reading his letter when I walked towards the tall window of my bedroom. In the shadow, just in the woods, something was watching me —something, or someone, with golden eyes.