The Alpha and his Panther Mate Chapter 125

IZZY

I stare out of the hospital window, watching everyone get the pack grounds prepared for the ritual of the dead.

It’s been three days since I woke up after the war. Today is the day we send Todd and my father off. And today was the day I was being released from the hospital, but I was heading straight to the ritual for the last of the burials.

The night I shared with my family when I woke up was all I needed. I told them all about being visited by Clara and Moon Goddess and even seeing my mum, Todd, and father for the final time. There were loads of tears shed that night as we all remembered stories of the two men. Dale and Kacey shared some nice things about dad, and I know I missed out and was angry with him for leaving me behind. But I know he’s with my mother finally and hopefully spending his afterlife with her.

The following day was hard for me, as I received flowers and gifts from every pack member. Letters of thanks for saving them, and they would stand with Blake and me when we took over the pack as Alpha and Luna. I was heartfelt for every single of them as I read their letters.

I had to as I had nothing else to do. Blake wanted me to stay in hospital till I was ready. He was being protective and overbearing, and it even ended with me shouting at him if he didn’t let me leave, I would walk out of here completely naked and head to Kat’s.

Let’s say that got his attention but also made him moody.

I knew I was perfectly fine, but there were some nagging doubts left in my head about everything, especially the meeting with Clara.

I remember asking Kat last night where she placed my mother’s belongings. Kat told me that all my mother’s belongings were in a downtown storage unit.

I never gave her a reason for looking through my mother's things, but I said I wanted to use some of the furniture for Allie’s bedroom in the packhouse. Kat seemed to buy it, even though what I said to her was half-true. I didn't want Kat to worry about anything or ask me questions about what I wanted to find. I needed her to focus on today; it’s going to be hard sending the two men off.

There was a knock on the door, which pulled me back from my thoughts.

I didn’t say anything or even look back.

The door opened, and I knew who it was by his scent.

Blake.

Blake closes the door behind him and walks over to me. He wraps his arms around my waist and places his head on my shoulder.

“You all ready?” he asks.

I stare out of the window and sigh.

“Ready as I will ever be,” I say to him.

We stay like that for a few moments as I rest my head on his.

His scent wraps me in a warm blanket, like the heat from his body. It calms every muscle, everything deep inside me.

“Blake,” I say softly as I move but turn around in his arms to look at him. I wrap my arms around his neck and stare up at him. His arms around my waist hold me in place but tightens slightly.

Blake was wearing a black suit with a white button-down shirt, ready for the funerals.

Blake stares at me, “Mmm, Izzy,” he says.

“I was thinking,” I say, “After everything today, could we stay with Kat tonight? I mean, I don’t want to leave her alone tonight, and also, we could have breakfast with her too.”

Blake smiles, “Yeah, that sounds perfect,” he said, “We can organize a family breakfast for her. I can arrange the food and get everyone there.”

I nod but smile at him.

“Thank you,” I say as I place my lips on his mouth and kiss him gently.

I pull away as Blake licks his lips.

Blake and I haven’t been alone since I woke up; there has always been someone here with me.

“I think we better move and get down there,” he says in a raspy voice.

I nod, pulling away from his grip.

I turn back around and notice people heading to the seating areas.

After a few moments, I grab the last few things in my room and walk out with Blake holding my hand.

Alice brought me a black dress to wear today with flats.

As we left the hospital, everyone made their way to the ritual site after dropping off the final items from the hospital room to our room. Blake mentioned that many members lost people that evening of the war. Many have already buried their loved ones over the last three days. Graham and Todd were the last ones to be buried. Blake told me they wanted to wait for me to wake up to say my final goodbyes. Even though I already have said my last goodbyes to them, I'm here for my family.

Blake and I met up with Dale, Lena, Kacey, Charley and Kat. They were already in the front row of chairs. But I couldn't help but look around.

I realized that Alice, Paul, Archer and Allie weren’t there.

I glanced around till I heard, “MUMMY,” from the sweetest voice ever.

I looked to the side, and there was Allie. She ran to me and wrapped her arms around my neck as I pulled her onto my lap.

I closed my eyes as I breathed in her scent.

I could hear someone run up and was out of breath as I opened my eyes. Alice stares back at me with puffy eyes, “Peanut, I told you not to run,” she says as she kneels to meet Allie’s height on my lap.

I glance to the side and notice Archer climbing into Kat’s arms and lap. As Paul stood behind Alice, staring at Blake.

Allie moves her head into my neck and sniffs.

Alice looks at me, “She wanted you,” she says in a weak voice.

I nodded and placed my hand in hers, and I squeezed it to reassure her.

Alice nods and gets up. Paul places his arms around her waist and walks her to the chair next to Blake.

Blake was sitting next to me with his hand on my lower back, drawing circles. The tingles of the mate bond were there and calming me down.

Puna was close but didn’t say much as we had both been feeling overwhelmed by everything.

“Allie,” blurts Blake, making me turn to look at him.

His face was close to my head, but he leaned his head on hers.

“Angel,” he says, “Come and sit on daddy’s lap; you can hold mummy's hand,” he says.

After a few moments, Allie moves into Blake’s lap but grabs my hand in hers.

She looks up at me, “I love you mummy,” she says.

I smile and pull her hand to my mouth. I kiss her hand and mouth; I love you too to her.

“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” says Alpha Derek, standing by the microphone.

I look at him as he stares at me.

I nod.

I asked Alpha Derek to take the service as he knew Graham and Paul would help Alice with speaking about Todd.

Everyone stops talking and stares at Alpha Derek as he begins the service.