The Secrets of the Panther

IZZY

I stare out the hospital window, watching everyone prepare the pack grounds 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 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 each of them as I read their letters.

I had to, as I had nothing else to do. Blake wanted me to stay in the hospital till I was ready. He was protective and overbearing, and it even ended with me shouting at him. If he didn’t let me leave, I would leave 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 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 pack house. Kat seemed to buy it, even though what I told her was half-true. I didn’t want Kat to worry or question me about what I wanted to find. I needed her to focus on today; sending the two men off would be hard.

There was a knock on the door, which pulled me back from my thoughts. I said nothing or even looked 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 momentarily 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 tighten 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 we could also have breakfast with her.”

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; someone has always been 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 went to the ritual site after dropping off the final items from the hospital room to our room. Blake mentioned many members lost people that evening of the war. Many have already buried their loved one’s 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 last goodbyes. Even though I already have said my last goodbyes to them, I’m here for my family.

Blake and I met 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, placed my hand in hers, and 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 drew circles with his hand on my lower back beside me. The tingles of the mate bond were there and calming me down.

Puna was close but said little, as we had both felt overwhelmed by everything.

“Allie,” blurts Blake, making me turn to look at him. His face was close to my head, but he leaned on hers. “Angel,” he says. “Come and sit on daddy’s lap. You can hold mummy’s hand,” he says. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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.