170: I WILL STAND BY HIM

I WILL STAND BY HIM

There was a small crest of black wolf, the crest of the Howling Wolf pack, on each slab and below it, there was a poem.

** I hope the universe delivers my prayers to you,

I hope they jump over barriers to get to you,

I hope they cross the oceans to reach you,

I hope they finally bring me back to you.

I miss you, I will see you soon. **

Josh Desgar Nortern of Howling Wolf pack, may your soul rest in peace until the day we are together again.

** And through these prayers, I ask the universe to keep you warm, despite the cold that tries to creep in, to hold you tight when you feel like sinking, to wipe your tears that are falling,

To let you know that you are loved. **

Crystal Nortern of Howling Wolf pack, may your soul rest in peace until the day we are together again.

The other three were small coffins that belonged to Rora Nortern and Edgar Nortern, Cane's twin siblings and the smallest one was Jedith Nortern's, Cane's first born, the poor baby that was not even given a chance to live in this world. The baby that was ripped out of his mother's womb.

Iris had never mourned anyone before, she didn't know much about how to do it either. Every pack had their own tradition that they followed, thus she stayed silently behind Cane's back, staring at the poem.

Cane tapped her shoulder. "Put the silver coins on the coffins," he said. His voice was soft and solemn.

The coffins were only artificial, since the remains of his parents had never been found, while the other three managed to be preserved because of Iris.

Cane took the urns from below the tree on the hill and brought them back home after a decade. The place that they belonged to.

This place was so quiet and warm, as if there was nothing that could disturb the tranquility in the air surrounding. Iris felt like they were in a different world entirely and her mind wouldn't stop playing 'what ifs'.

What if her father didn't attack them? What if they survived the attack?

The answers were far too simple, these people would still be alive now. Meanwhile, his twin siblings would be around her age, only they were frozen in time already.

Below the small coffins there was a poem, the same poem that Iris had carved on the root of the tree for them.

Somehow, Iris felt suffocated. She felt a lump in her throat when she put the silver coins on each of the coffins. Her vision was blurry because of her tears.

Her hands were shaking when she offered the silver coins. She bit her lip to prevent herself from crying. They were so young and the baby was not even born then.

Iris knew what her father had done to them down to every detail and to remember such a painful thing right now, Iris felt her heart being torn apart. It took everything in her not to break down, crying.

She was not even sure if it was right for her to be here.

And as if Cane could hear what was in her mind, he spoke as soon as Iris turned around after she had placed the coins on the five of them.

"We will go to the capital city and have our ceremony, which will attest to your position as the Luna of the pack, so I need to take you here to know about my family, as you will be part of this pack."

Part of the pack…

She had never been part of anything in her entire life and was not sure if someone wanted her to be part of them. Her brother's words kept echoing in her mind about how a useless creature like her should be grateful for being alive and shouldn't ask for anything else.

Mason always said that he and father only tolerated her existence because of the blood that coursed through her veins.

Iris lowered her head when she followed Cane to the innermost chamber, where there was only a coffin there, decorated beautifully.

It was the coffin of Cane's destined mate. Leane.

This time, Cane said nothing, he silently placed the coins and then turned around, but Iris couldn't take it anymore. She fell to her knees and sobbed. Her heart was in agony. Guilty feelings ate her alive.

"I- Is it alright for me to be here?" Iris asked between her sobs, but she couldn't find the answer, because she couldn't see Cane. All she saw through her tears was the poem on the slab.

** There is freedom in loving you, in letting go of all the feelings. I have tried so hard to subdue.

There is freedom in loving you, in giving my all, leaving nothing left, never holding back.2

Knowing you would do the same, knowing you feel the same. **

Leane Nortern of Howling Wolf pack, faithful and beloved mate, you are loved, despite the distance between us.

"I- I am sorry… I am truly sorry…"

Iris knew it was not her who had done this. She was not responsible for anything that befell upon them, but for some reason, the guilt suffocated her and she couldn't hold herself back any longer.

This agony gnawed at her heart, and she felt stifled. She couldn't stop her tears.

This was not her fault, but why did she feel this way? Wave after wave of sadness hit her so hard.

'I promise you, I will keep him safe on your behalf. I will do everything that I can to help him. I will cherish him and stand by him, even if the whole world is against him.'

Iris prayed, she promised her.

She didn't know why she felt that way, this strong desire to protect Cane, though there was nothing much that she could do. Probably because Cane was her mate and the mate bond had grown stronger each time they were together or probably because of her guilt over what her family had done to his.

Or maybe, it was a mix of both.

On the other hand, Cane stared at her. His dark eyes were akin to a pair of bottomless pits. No one could tell what was in his mind.

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