Chapter 75

• LYDIA
• I stayed. Not because of any of the things that Alexios had spewed. I did it for myself. Okay. Maybe I wasn't being completely honest. Alexios 's words did make some sense. I couldn't trust the Nightshade to give Elliot a proper burial. They couldn't even do it for my mother who was part and parcel of the pack and a goddamn Luna at that. Elliot had been an outcast at the time he died, as much as I viewed him as a hero, it was really tragic that plenty had no idea what sacrifices he had to make because I didn't matter, and neither did Elliot. The clean-up process had been fast. Swiftly wrapped up compared to the tragedy that befell us during the aftermath of the divine justice that befell my father. I couldn't quite tell if this was because of better leadership or prior preparation. By evening time, the bodies had been wrapped up and brought to a platform where the traditional rites of soul passage were read out for them. It almost brought tears to my eyes seeing Elliot's body among them and being blessed with the proper rites.
• After the words had been spoken, the current Alpha of the Nightshade walked up to the platform and addressed the congregation of werewolves. "I know today has been another horrendous moment in our history as Nightshade. But I implore you all to not dwell on the negative side of this tragedy. Our comrades are now in the bossom of the great mother. For us, there is no death. Only transformation."