Chapter 178

• Just before we enter, my eyes catch sight of the large crowd that has grown exponentially since I entered the barn. There at the edge of our land, on a small hill bathed by the afternoon sunlight, is a small enclosure. The Swan Family Cemetery. Today, two new graves have been dug and our family must say our goodbyes to the loved ones we've lost. Each and every member of our Pack is present. They have all come to pay their respects and bid farewell to our Pack's beloved male and female Beta.
• My Nanna and Pop.
• Releasing a shaky breath, I enter the house that I basically grew up in. A house that always felt warm and welcoming, but today just feels strange… empty and cold. There is an unnatural silence echoing in the walls and a distinct heaviness that makes me want to run out the door as fast as I can. My heartbeats begin to accelerate at just the thought, but I know what my duties are and quickly force the muscles in my body to keep myself moving forward. As we enter the living room, I stumble clumsily over my feet. This is a room I've been actively avoiding all day up until now. Suddenly, I'm eternally grateful to have Seth's strong form by my side because he is quick to steady me. My hand tightens around his arm and I can feel him brace himself so that he can take more of my weight if it becomes necessary.