Chapter 37: Back home

SERA

The journey back to the compound was silent. Marcus carried my father's body wrapped in a cloak, I walked beside him feeling numb. The others gave me space, their eyes filled with pity that I didn't want.

I'd killed at least fifteen Council guards, maybe more, I'd stopped counting after the first few fell. That should have made me feel better but it didn't.

We reached the compound, rogues stopped and stared as we passed, words spread quickly that the mission was successful but we failed in what mattered.

Elena met us at the gate, her face falling when she saw Marcus burden.

"Sera," she said softly, "I'm so sorry."

I couldn't respond, I couldn't speak.

"Where's Lila?" Kade asked.

"In the main house, I'll get her."

"No," I finally found my voice, "I'll tell her myself, she should hear it from me."

I walked to the house on shaky legs and found Lila in the sitting room reading. She looked up when I entered, her smile faded immediately she looked at me.

"Sera? What.." She saw the answer written on my face, "No."

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "We found him but he didn't want to be saved, he wanted to be with mom, he.." I broke down. "He's gone, Lila."

She made a sound like a wounded animal, then she was in my arms, both of us crying and holding each other as grief took over us.

We cried until there were no tears left, until we were both hollow and exhausted.

A knock made us look up, Thorne stood in the doorway, his expression pained.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," he said quietly but we need to discuss the arrangements. Your father should be laid to rest in Silvermoon with your mother, as he wanted."

"The Council," Lila said, her voice thick, they'll know that we're there."

"Not if we're careful," Thorne stepped into the room. "I can arrange for it quietly, a small ceremony with only trusted pack members, those who won't report to the Council."

"You'd risk that?" I asked.

"Your father deserves to rest beside his mate and you deserve to say goodbye properly." His eyes met mine, "let me do this please."

I looked at Lila and she nodded.

"Alright," I said, "When?"

"Tonight, we'll travel when darkness comes, be there by dawn for the ceremony then leave immediately."

We left at dusk, just me, Lila, Thorne, and Kade. Marcus stayed to watch after Maya and the compound.

The journey to Silvermoon territory felt surreal. I'd fled these lands months ago as a rejected Omega, now I was returning as something else entirely.

We entered through the border avoiding the main roads, Thorne led us to the pack cemetery…a quiet groove of trees where generations of Silvermoon wolves rested.

My mother's grave was near the back, a simple stone marker with her name and dates. Beside it, a fresh pit had been dug.

A handful of wolves waited, pack members I recognized but had never been close to. They nodded respectfully, their eyes wide as they took me in, the rejected Omega was now the powerful Silver Blood.

Thorne had brought wood for the pyre traditional ceremony, body burned with sulfur, ashes buried.

I helped lay my father on the wood, my hands shaking, he looked peaceful like he was already with her.

"Do you want to say anything?" Thorne asked gently.

I looked at Lila, she shook her head, tears streaming.

"Dad," I said, my voice breaking, "you're with her now, no more pain, no more grief, Just…" I couldn't continue.

Lila stepped forward, placing a hand on his chest. "We love you, we'll be okay, you can rest now."

Thorne lit the pyre.

We watched as flames consumed him, the sulfur making them burn bright and fast, the traditional way of returning him to ash so that he could rest beside his mate.

The gathered wolves began to howl a mourning song for the dead, even Kade joined in, his voice blending with theirs.

I couldn't howl, I could barely breathe through the grief.

When it was done, we collected the ashes and placed them in the grave beside my mother, they're together again finally.

The wolves filled in the grave and dispersed quickly, not wanting to be seen.

I stood there staring at the two graves of my parents, both are gone now.

"Sera," Kade said quietly, "we need to go, It's not safe to stay."

I looked around the cemetery, at the pack lands beyond. This had been my home for over twenty years, the place where I'd been invisible and worthless.

I wasn't that person anymore.

"Goodbye," I whispered to my parents, to this place, to who I used to be.

Then I turned and walked away.

We made it back to the compound by midday. I was exhausted, empty and running on nothing.

Lila went straight to her room, I turned to follow her but Kade held my arm.

"You need to rest," he said.

"I need to.." What? What did I need? My father was dead, I'd killed people and the council was definitely coming for retaliation.

"Rest," Kade repeated firmly, "everything else can wait."

He led me to my room as I didn't have the energy to argue. I collapsed on the bed, still in my dirty clothes and closed my eyes.

I expected nightmares, I expected to see my father's face, hear his last words. Instead I dreamed of nothing, just blessed empty darkness.

When I woke up, it was evening. Someone had covered me with a blanket, left food and water beside the bed.

I sat up slowly, my body aching. Through the window, I could see the compound continuing with the normal daily activities.

Life went on, even when it felt like it shouldn't. My father was at peace now with my mother, together forever.

And I was still here, still fighting.

The Council had taken my father and forced him into a choice between life and death.

They would surely pay for that, all of them.

I stood, my grief hardening into something else. They wanted war? They were definitely going to get it this time.