Chapter 17
Piper.
I wandered around the pack aimlessly. I feel lost. So lost. It feels like a part of me is missing. I’ve known Sadie since we were little girls. She’s been my best friend, my confidant, and my sister.
I never expected her to betray me by going after Alec. I was hurt and angry at her, but I never wished her any harm. I never wanted her dead. I know you’re probably scoffing at me right now because you think I’m a hypocrite, and maybe I am..
After all, when she was locked in the dungeon, I used to hear her screams. I heard her begging for mercy. Begging them to stop. At that time, I was so mad at her and felt so betrayed that I fooled myself into believing that she deserved it. That she needed to be punished before she could be
redeemed.
Now she’s dead, and I feel like I’ve lost a part of my soul.
When I was informed that she’d escaped, I felt pissed off at her audacity and her cowardly move, but at bigger part of me was glad. That part was happy that she was able to free herself, something I didn’t have the guts to do for her.
My mind is consumed with bitterness towards myself. I can’t stop the tears from falling down my face or the gasps of sorrow that leave my mouth.
I fall down on the grass, not caring about the stabbing pain I feel in my knees. This is less than i deserve for abandoning her. Yes, she made a mistake, but I should have been there for her. Everyone turned their backs on her, and I can only imagine how broken she was.
We were supposed to stick together. To have one another’s back despite the foolish thing the other did. That is a promise we made to each other, yet I broke mine. The worst thing. The thing that guts me to the core is knowing that if the situations were switched, Sadie would have stuck by me o despite being guilty.
I can’t control the gut–wrenching sobs that are coming from deep inside. I feel like I’m being ripped. I feel like I’m being torn from the inside out. I grasp my chest in a failed attempt to stop the painful aching that is destroying me.
Arms wrap around me, but they do nothing to comfort me. Alec’s familiar scent envelops me, but it does nothing to erase my tears or calm down the violent waves that are crashing against me.
I should have been there for her. Despite being guilty, I should have stayed by her side. Now she was dead, and it was too late.
ΤΗ
13.49 Tue, 19 Jul C
“Let it out, Buttercup,” he whispered, and I can’t hold it back anymore.
I scream, and seconds later, my screams turn into a howl of pain and loss. Another reminder of all that I’ve lost.
I was one year older than Sadie. She was there on the day that I shifted. Both she and Alec were. My wolf was scared, but they were able to calm her down. Ash immediately took a liking to Sadie, and she was counting the days till she met her wolf. I screwed that up. She’s been pissed at me for refusing to believe that Sadie planned everything, despite every piece of evidence saying she did.
Soon, my tears run out, and I’m left hiccupping Alec helps me up and leads me towards a nearby bench.
“Feeling better?” he asked, his eyes searching mine. I probably looked hideous right now, but I didn’t
care.
Alec was the best big brother anyone could ask for. Despite this, I also know that he is feared. That there are others who call him a beast or a monster. No one except for me, my late parents, and Lola knows that he actually has a soft side.
I know my brother well, so I know he has a vengeful side. No one crosses him and remains breathing. I should have known that he wouldn’t have left Sadie alone. Hindsight is a bitch like that.
“I don’t think I’ll ever feel better,” I murmured, leaning my head against his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” he finally says, but I don’t reply.
He’s not sorry that Sadie is dead or that he’s the reason she is; he’s just sorry that her death affected me emotionally.
We remain quiet, his warmth enveloping me, bringing a sense of comfort and peace. I could also feel Knox comforting Ash. Just like with Alec, Knox hated Sadie, but he loved his sister and would do anything to comfort her.
“Is it okay if I bury her near her parents?” I asked him tiredly. “I know she’d love that.”
I feel the moment he tenses. “No. After what she did, she doesn’t deserve to be buried next to them. Her parents were good people. She was a conniving, shameless bitch.”
My eyes started tearing up. Fuck! I thought I’d cried enough.
“Please,” I begged him, wiping away my tears with trembling hands. “I need this. I need to send her off.”
His eyes were burning, and his jaws were clenched. He was pissed that I would ask him this, if it were up to him, Sadie’s body would have been thrown out and left to be eaten by wild animals. I couldn’t have
“Fine” he sighs in defeat. “But make sure it’s done before evening”
“Thank you, Alec,” I told him, kissing his cheek before standing up. I had a lot to do.
It doesn’t really take me long to prepare everything. In four hours, I had her grave dug and a casket ready. Despite what people believe, werewolves aren’t savages. We bury our own, just like humans. There are others who cremate, but that’s a personal decision.
I watched in silence as two new pack members helped me carry the casket to the location. They were the only ones who weren’t busy and who didn’t know Sadie or what went down.
I knew Alec wouldn’t come, and that was fine with me. Sadie did do a lot of damage to him. Unless the moon goddess decides to bless him with a second chance mate, he will either remain mateless or have to take a chosen one, which isn’t the same as a fated one. They wouldn’t have a bond blessed by the goddess,
When we get to the location, I start saying the send off prayer. It was a prayer to the goddess to guide and protect Sadie’s soul until she reached her final resting place.
I was just opening my eyes when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned in shock to find packmates. gathered behind me.
“What are you doing here?” Lasked them, my voice growing cold with each word.
I didn’t mean to leak my aura, but it happened, and they cowered before him. I was the daughter of an Alpha; I was powerful and higher in rank than them. The only ones who were above me were Alec, Jason, and Micah.
“Miss Piper, we are here to pay our respects. We heard Sadie died,” one of them said timidly.
This pisses me off and sends me over the edge.
“How fucking dare you?” I yelled,/my anger and pain rising to the surface. “You want to pay your respects? Aren’t you the ones who shunned her? Weren’t you the ones who fucking joined in her torture? Weren’t you the same fucking people who rejoiced and threw a fucking celebration when she was banished? And now you want to pretend that you fucking care for her?”
One of them tries to speak, but I cut them off.
Chapter 17
Tue, Y JU GD **
“I suggest you leave before I forget you’re my fucking pack and tear you into fucking pieces!”
They stood there shocked, but no one moved.
“Didn’t you fucking hear me? I told you to leave!” This time, I infuse my command with my aura, forcing them to cower and then to flee.
It’s only after they left that I calmed down just a little bit. I asked the two remaining men to lower the casket and bury Sadie..
“You’re a hypocrite, you know that?” Ash asked with a sneer. “You also shunned her. If we are to go by that, then you also shouldn’t be here.”
I just sighed tiredly while trying to keep my tears away. “I know.”
She’s right. I should have been there for her, and I’m so fucking sorry that I wasn’t.
Wherever her soul is, I hope she’ll one day forgive me for not sticking by her side.