It had been a week since Blake had died. Lurch hadn't left his room, not even to eat. Of course, Rose would try to bring him food but I near went near him. He needed time to grieve. Luca, on the other hand, hadn't been talking and he hasn't smiled at all. He had been having some small talks with Augustus and Cloud but they never lasted longer than 10 minutes. I had been there to support him and comfort him all the time but I know I could never fill the whole his brother had left. The funeral was later today and I know it was going to be hard. It would be hard because Blake would be buried in the castle cemetery where Augustus, Cloud and Luca wouldn't be able to visit as often once they all moved back to England. Augustus would never even look Alpha Zeek in the eyes because he blamed him. Alpha Zeek had been silent during the entire week. He had rarely left his office unless it was to go to sleep. In general, the entire castle had been depressed by Blake's death.

I walked into Luca and I's bedroom and looked to Luca on the bed, laying in his suit on his phone. I walked to him slowly and sat on the edge of the bed, my hand sliding onto his chest. He glanced down at me but didn't say anything until I laid my head on his chest. He put his phone aside and rubbed my hair back as I let out a sniffle, not wanting to cry so soon. Luca sat up, causing me too as well. He pulled me onto his lap and leaned down, kissing my forehead.

"You look cute in a suit baby," Luca said and I whimpered against his chest. I knew he was trying to distract me from the hurt but it didn't work. I was able to stop my crying before it started and I got up, pulling Luca up.

"Come on...time to go see everyone," I said softly and Luca nodded slowly. I held his hand as we walked out of the room, walking downstairs to where everyone was gathered. Our entire pack and even some people from Augustus' fox clan that flew out, was here. As we walked down the stairs, I caught a glimpse of someone I didn't expect to see. Lurch had a small cup of some type of alcohol in his hand as he stood on the outskirts of the crowd of people. Luca must have noticed me looking because he squeezed my hand and bent down to my height.

"Go see him," he said then let go of my hand and walked over to Augustus. I whimpered but did what he said. I walked up to Lurch and frowned.

"Lurch?" I called softly when I was close enough and he jumped, almost spilling his drink. He turned to look at me and that's when I got a good look at his face. He had giant bags under his eyes and his eyes looked like they were stained red. He looked skinnier and less muscular and it scared me, seeing him like this.

"Lurch please, come and eat something," I said softly but he just looked away. When I tried to convince him again, he turned and glared at me.

"If I eat, I throw up right after. I've tried eating. I can't. So leave me alone." He told me, putting his drink on one of the many tables then walking off, back hunched and hands in pockets. I sighed softly and frowned. I couldn't blame him for throwing up. Even I did. The grief had gotten to me so much that I cry myself to sleep then when I wake up in the morning, I am running to the bathroom and throwing up. I watched him walk off, deciding not to bother him. I walked until I bumped into Beta Zack. He looked down at me and sighed softly, patting my had and hugging me to his side. He let me go and I walked off towards Luca. I stopped behind him the wrapped my arms around him, kissing his back softly. Luca glanced back at me over his shoulder and he sighed.

"I know baby," Luca said as he turned around and hugged me properly. I cuddled against him as I took deep breaths, trying not to cry. I pulled away and covered my mouth, feeling my stomach turn. Luca looked at me with concern.

"Not feeling well again?" He asked me and once I nodded, he grabbed me gently and lead me to the bathroom. I bent down in front of the toilet without hesitation and I threw up my breakfast. Luca grabbed my glasses and pushed my hair from my face as I hurled. I whimpered when I stopped and he rubbed my back in small circles.

"Easy Lynn, you're alright," Luca reassured me but tears still flowed down my cheeks. I got up and washed out my mouth, Luca getting up with me. I turned to him as I let out a sob and he hugged me tightly. "I know. I know Lynn. I miss him so much too," Luca mumbled against my hair as I cried harder. I pulled away after a little while, calmed down. He put my glasses back on my face then kissed my nose. We walked out of the bathroom hand in hand. I stayed with Luca the entire time everyone was gathered in the castle until everyone's attention turned to the stairs where Alpha Zeek and Augustus stood. Alpha Zeek turned to Augustus and nodded, taking a step back. Augustus stepped forward to overlook everyone.

"We are gathered here to celebrate someones very important life. You can all eat and drink whatever is served and talk to everyone but don't be sad. I mean this seriously. My brother lived a long and happy life. Of course, he made the wrong choices sometimes but he was happy. We are here to celebrate the life he lived. After here, we will head to the church and sit for the service then, off to the cemetery alright? So everyone should enjoy!" He said and I could tell he was hiding the pain. I hugged Luca's side tightly and he curled his arm around me, rubbing my back. I watched as the crowd went off again but then I turned back to see Augustus starting to walk down but Alpha Zeek stopped him and pulled him upstairs. Even from here, I could see Augustus' body shake from sobs. I sighed softly and looked up at Luca. Luca frowned and growled.

"My brother was never happy. And his life wasn't long enough!" He said in a hushed angry tone and I sighed. I rubbed his arm and hugged him tightly.

"Yeah, I know baby. I know he was way too young but please try to relax," I said as I pulled Luca over to one of the tables. I grabbed a small sandwich and gave it to Luca. He stared down at me then frowned and took it, eating it within a couple of bites. I raised an eyebrow and rolled my eyes.

"You're supposed to eat it not gobble it," I said with a soft laugh but I didn't smile. Luca looked down at me and frowned, growling softly. I stopped and looked away with a whimper. He hasn't liked the sound of laughter or even seeing someone smile lately. I've hated it. I can't do anything to cheer him up and, as his mate, it kills. I pulled away from him slightly and walked off from him. I didn't like when he got that way. I walked to the front of the castle then out the doors. I stopped when I saw Lurch on the steps to the porch, the same way I saw him last week. I walked down beside him and sat beside him, looking at him.

"Lurch?" I called his name softly and he looked at me with a frown. His hair was messed up thanks to him running his fingers through it and his eyes were red from the constant rubbing. I leaned on him and rubbed his back softly. He didn't move or reject me so I decided that it was okay to settle beside him. Lurch looked back at me then shifted so he could wrap one arm around me and hug me to his side. I know it wasn't because it was me. I know it was because he just wanted someone to comfort him and he probably couldn't trust anyone else not to make fun of him. I leaned into him and whimpered softly. I looked up when the door opened and Alpha Zeek walked out. He looked down at me and Lurch then shrugged and sat behind us. I frowned slightly but I knew what he wanted. I nudged Lurch gently then pulled away from him and moved back, curling up against Alpha Zeek's side. He wrapped on arm around me and hugged me to his side tightly. Lurch looked back at us then sighed and gave in, moving to Alpha Zeek's other side, leaning on him. Alpha Zeek wrapped an arm around him too and rubbed his back. His kissed both of our heads and let out a sigh.

"I know it hurts. I'm sorry. I blame myself for his death. I should never have allowed him to join. I know everyone else blames me too and I'm not really shocked by that," he said with a sigh and I nodded against him because it was true. Everyone did blame him so I wasn't going to deny it. I bet even Lurch hated him more than anything. But as an Alpha, Alpha Zeek had a need to comfort his pack and hide away his own feelings and when his pack needed comforting, they put aside their hatred and went to their Alpha no matter what. Which is probably why Lurch was so relaxed against a man he hated. I relaxed against my Alpha and closed my eyes, letting out a breath as he sat there, comforting me and his son. I opened my eyes when I heard Lurch move and I watched as Lurch shifted, pulling out a pack of smokes. He pulled one out and handed one to Alpha Zeek, both lighting them. Lurch offered one to me and I shook my head, coughing harshly from the smoke. I pulled away from Alpha Zeek and swatted at the smoke.

"Way to ruin the moment guys," I grumbled and Alpha Zeek raised an eyebrow.

"It's our way of comfort. Doesn't Luca smoke too?" Alpha Zeek asked as he took another drag of the cigarette, blowing out the smoke. I instantly shook my head.

"No! Luca doesn't-" I stopped myself and thought about it. I had never seen Luca smoke or smelt the smoke on him so I just assumed he didn't. I got up and walked into the castle again, finding Luca fast. I tugged on his arm, pulling him down to my height. He stared at me in shock when he was suddenly pulled down by me. I leaned forward and kissed him, pushing my tongue past his lips. I pulled away and smacked my lips together as I thought. Before he could say anything, I turned and walked back out of the castle to Alpha Zeek.

"He doesn't smoke. It's been a stressful week so he would have smoked at some point, meaning he would have had a lingering taste in his mouth no matter how much he brushed and washed his mouth," I told them and Lurch looked at me in disgust. Alpha Zeek frowned and smacked the side of Lurch's face.

"You've stuck your dick down a girls throat, you can't make that face when talking about kissing," Alpha Zeek teased and I laughed at him. Lurch rolled his eyes and huffed.

"Okay but that's different. I don't want to hear my parents talking about their sex life," he grumbled and Alpha Zeek smirked.

"Why? Don't you remember the time you walked in on me having sex with some girl? And the time you barged into my office and saw me getting a blowjob? Or how about the time-" Lurch and I jumped on Alpha Zeek, covering his mouth to stop him from continuing. Alpha Zeek laughed at us and I cracked a smile. Even Lurch smiled a little and rolled his eyes. Alpha Zeek had done what he needed. He distracted us from today and today's events. Alpha Zeek pushed us off gently and got up, smirking slightly.

"Alright, I'm done here. So now, if you don't mind, I have Augustus in my room waiting for a blowjob that I, unfortunately, have to give to cheer him up. Have fun." He waved as he walked back into the castle and me and Lurch shared a look of disgust. I burst into a fit of giggles and smiled at Lurch. He looked funny when he scrunched up his face since only half of it was there. I leaned forward and softly touched the side of his face that was missing. His small smile dropped and he looked away, staring at the ground. I sighed softly and moved forward more, wrapping my arms around him.

"You're gonna be alright Lurch. I promise, you'll get through this," I said as the doors opened and Luca walked out. I pulled away from Lurch, getting up. Luca walked to me and grabbed my hand softly.

"Come on. It's time to get ready to head to the church," he said softly and I nodded up at him. I looked down to Lurch and whimpered softly. He looked at me and just shrugged then got up, walking off the porch to his car. I let him be and walked into the castle with Luca where everyone was starting to pack up. Luca and I started helping everyone with packing.

The service went as any other did. Lurch sat in the very back, far away from the casket as Blake's brothers took turns talking about Blake. Cloud and Luca were the only ones that cried but Augustus kept a straight face. He had to look strong for his clan not to break. During the burial, I stayed by Luca's side and cried into his arm. Luca held me the entire time while I hid my face against him, unable to watch them lowering Blake to the place he would remain forever. In the end, Luca and I walked to his car and I got in while he remained out to talk to his brothers. I watched as his face showed different emotions and some worried me. Worry, confusion and most of all, hurt. Once Luca was done talking, he got in the drivers' side and started driving towards the castle in silence. I looked up at him as I sniffled and I put my hand on his hand gently.

"Luca, did they say anything to upset you? Do you want to talk about it?" I asked softly and Luca didn't look at me or grab my hand.

"No," was all he said as he pulled his hand away from mine. I whimpered softly at the feel of rejection and I clenched my fists, hugging myself tightly. I watched the buildings pass as Luca drove and a single thought went through my mind. I reached into one of the compartments and grabbed some extra money Luca had there then I whipped around to Luca fast.

"STOP THE CAR!" I yelled and yelped when he suddenly slammed on the brakes, making me lurch forward and choke on my seatbelt. I undid my seatbelt fast and jumped out of the car, ignoring how Luca called after me. I ran into one of the convenience stores and ran to one of the shelves. I grabbed the 2 things I wanted then walked to the counter to pay. The lady smiled at me softly as she scanned my items, putting them in a bag. I walked out and back to Luca's car, which had been pulled over to the side of the road instead of stopped in the middle of the street. I got in and opened the bag, pulling out the chips I bought and I turned to Luca.

"I have always wanted to try these before. I've been staring at them for years but could never afford them," I explained but his glare told me he wasn't happy. He was breathing hard and giving me a deadly glare, snarling softly.

"Are you fucking serious?! You gave me a heart attack over fucking ships?! They're ketchup chips! And the cheap ones! They cost a fucking dollar! You couldn't wait until we got back to the castle cuz I'm pretty fucking sure they have those same chips at home!" He yelled as he glared at me but instead of backing down, I glared back at him and let out a low growl.

"If you ever yell at me again, I will leave you," I said in a deep voice that shocked not only myself but Luca too. We stared at each other with wide eyes then Luca frowned at me in suspicion.

"You've been acting weird the past week. Fine, I'll allow the chips. What else did you get? Anything for me?" He asked as he poked at the bag and I slapped his hand away.

"My chocolate! I always wanted to try the minty ones. Valley said they were good and Rose said she would kill for them so I'm interested," I said as I tucked my bag away from Luca's grabby hands. Luca frowned and flicked my nose.

"Don't be selfish you little shit," he said but I know he meant it in a playful type of way and he didn't really think I was a 'little shit'. I snorted at him and continued to eat my chips in peace, Luca starting to drive to the castle again. I glanced at Luca as I smiled softly. I distracted him slightly and it calmed me down. Once he stopped at the castle and we got out, I walked in with the chips in one hand and the bag in the other. I walked up to our room and put everything down, turning to Luca as he walked in after me. He raised an eyebrow and watched as I struggled to take off my tie, choking myself slightly. Finally, I gave up and fell back onto the bed, letting out a big puff of air. Luca walked to me and stood over me, taking off my tie for me. I watched him and smiled gently, bouncing up.

"Thank you, baby," I said and bounced up to kiss his cheek but he suddenly pulled away, rejecting my kiss. I tried to hide the hurt look on my face but the tears coming to my eyes betrayed me. I cleared my throat and looked away.

"Ah...sorry," I said as I pulled away from him and looked at the ground.

Luca had been doing that sometimes ever since Blake died. Sometimes he was okay with me kissing him and rarely, he would even kiss me. Although most times, he would find excuses not to kiss me. But he would never bluntly reject me. I swallowed the lump in my throat down, walking into the bathroom without another word. I closed the door behind me and locked it, deciding to strip. I shoved off my jacket then undid the buttons on my shirt with a slight struggle. I took off my pants and looked at myself in the mirror with my boxers still on. I moved my fingers over my arms then over my chest to my stomach. I whimpered softly as I finished rubbing my scarred body and I sniffled, trying hard not to cry. I calmed myself down and stripped off my underwear as I got in the shower, turning it on. I relaxed against the water, my body adjusting to the warm water. Since being here, I've gotten used to warm water and taking slightly longer showers to relax. I let the water run over my face, my hands running through my hair. I jumped when I felt hands on my hips and I whipped around to see Luca standing behind me.

"How-"

"I broke the lock. Look, I know I have been distant but I just lost the second most important person in my life. Yes, Blake and I fought but he was my only brother I was close to out of all 15 of us-" what the fuck "-and I'm sorry for basically rejecting you. I love you Lynn and I promise I just need some time," he explained as he grabbed my hands in his. I smiled softly and moved my hands from his, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Take all the time you need," I said as I leaned up and kissed his lips. He kissed me back and smiled against my lips, chuckling softly. I pulled away and raised an eyebrow at him. "You should really take off your clothes. You're in the shower after all," I said in a joking voice and he rolled his eyes playfully but stripped, throwing his wet clothes out of the shower. He stared down at me and kissed my head. I started to wash and behind me, Luca did the same. Once we both finished, we jumped out and I grabbed the big towel so I could fully wrap myself up. Plus, as a bonus, it smelled like Luca since it was his towel. I curled it around my body and looked to Luca as he frowned down at me.

"Really?" He asked as he grabbed my smaller towel and tried to wrap it around himself, failing miserably. "Lynn, give me my towel," he said as he reached for the towel I had and I yelped, ducking away from his grasp and running out of the bathroom. I ran onto the bed and jumped onto it, laying down in a ball as I giggled. Luca walked out with the tiny towel only covering his 'area' and he glared at me.