Chapter 96: Alpha King

RAPHAEL

A parent should never have to bury their child…

Yet here I am, burying my only daughter. My mate is distraught, and my children and grandchildren are grieving the loss of a dear loved one. A member of the royal family has fallen.

The pack has been in mourning since she passed, my beautiful Gianna. My only daughter, my little princess. The world is a darker place already without her.

I wanted nothing but to rip everything apart, to fall apart myself. But I am king. I must hold it together. For my family, for my mate, for my pack.

We made our way as a family to the royal cemetery, where all members of the royal bloodline get buried.

I had hoped I would be here before any of my children.

Even then, I always assumed, with the work Diego did for me as a younger wolf, that if one of my children were to go, it would have been him first.

I never in a million years expected it to be my Gianna. She was the master of death. She was meant to grow old.

Alpha kings from every pack on the continent attended the funeral.

They waited in a line at the gates to pay their respects to us as we walked in, dipping their heads low as we walked past. I dipped mine in response.

Axel and Reign held each other as they walked just behind Freida and me. Diego and his mate Liv were behind them, and their children were behind them, with the twins following in the rear.

King Noah of the Lunar Pack approached us first, his sons Wyatt and Maddox standing behind him. Maddox went to stand with Reign.

“Raphael, old friend.”

He clutched my hand tightly, his eyes speaking more words than he needed to utter allowed.

“Thank you,” was all I could muster in response.

King Kane of the Blood Moon pack followed behind him, a young wolf, obnoxious and self-righteous.

Never should have been made king, but his father died young, and once he turned eighteen, he was put on the throne.

“My deepest sympathies for your loss, King Raphael.” His voice was laced with about as much sincerity as a hunting wolf going in for the kill.

Diego growled in warning, and the children’s ears perked up.

Their eyes looked between us, all of them wondering what the commotion was about. I hushed Diego with a soft wave of my hand.

~Not here…~

~Not now…~

He looked at Diego and smirked lightly, just enough that no one else would notice. Diego motioned to stand up. Liv grabbed him, forcing him to sit back down.

“Not now, Diego,” she warned.

He sat back and stared as King Kane walked away. I knew what he was thinking. I was thinking about it too.

~Little punk has it coming… One day.~

~One day he’ll slip up.~

~One day.~

Once the kings had finished paying their respects, the witches started. One member from every coven shook Frieda’s hand, offering their condolences and blessings.

Then began the members of the pack, those that knew Gianna and those that felt like they knew her, friends and distant family members.

After many hours, it was just us. Just the family.

Gianna had been laid to rest, and we all spoke a few words as best as we could. Now we just sat in silence, looking at where she had been buried. Reign sniffled beside Axel, who cried silently.

~He would have made a fine alpha.~

~But he is a mastermind witch.~

~They are the best of both of their parents.~

“Did you guys want to stay with us tonight?” Frieda offered up to the group. Diego gave her a gentle hug. “That sounds great, mum.”

“We’d love to,” Lucas and Levi chimed in. All of the grandkids stood up and gave her a hug, one by one.

They were doing it for her, we all could see.

“Shall we head back then? I can make us some dinner and some nice dessert. How about it?” She smiled softly and dabbed the tears from her eyes.

I took her hand and squeezed it tightly. “Sounds delicious, darling.” Everyone chimed in agreement.

“Right, come on, then.” She perked up, leading the way back to the castle.

~Our home.~

~Where we raised all of our children.~

I glanced back at Gianna’s grave just as we left the cemetery.

***

“Dinner was delicious, Grams.” Milly rubbed her stomach, leaning back in her chair. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”

Freida smiled graciously. She always loved having all of the family around the table. I glanced over at Gianna’s empty chair.

I excused myself as everyone chatted among themselves. Heading to my office, I shut the door sharply behind me. With shaking hands, I poured myself a bourbon and downed it in one gulp.

I poured myself another and another, but nothing took the ache away. Nothing took the pain away. Nothing would bring my little girl home.

In a fit of rage, I threw the glass across the room. I grabbed the corners of my desk and flung it, letting out a roar.

Leaning against the wall, I sobbed. My Gianna. My little girl. My princess. Gone.

“I was wondering when you would break down.”

I hadn’t even heard her come in. Standing there in the door frame, she was the image of Gianna.

Same white hair and the same build. Same fiery temperament, yet she had the biggest heart. If it wasn’t for her sharp hazel eyes, I could have sworn it was Gianna.

“Well, duty called. Had to put on a show.” I fluffed up my jacket, composing myself. “Shall we get back to dinner?“

“It’s okay to miss her, Pops. We all miss her too. We’re family. You don’t need to put on a show for us.”

I clutched her chin. “How did you become so clever?”

She smiled. “Well, I am her daughter. After all.”

I chuckled, pulling her in for a hug. “You sure are, kid.”

~You sure are…~