I sighed, my heart heavy as I watched my pack being put to rest. Coffins were placed on top of graves waiting to be lowered into the earth. There were around thirty of them. Thirty deaths excluding Autumn because she wasn't from pack. She couldn't be buried here, but later today we're travelling over to Jerome's old pack to see her put to rest. I stared at the top of the coffins. All the names engraved into each stone made my heart heavier with guilt. I looked at the list. I knew how everyone died, how they were killed, who they left behind. My stomach filled with so much guilt, I felt nauseous.

I felt a hand touch my shoulder, and I looked up at Jerome. He stood next to me, a sullen look on his face "Oh baby, I'm so sorry." He whispered, his eyes dull with sadness. I hugged him tightly.

"Thank you. For not dying, I don't think I could've survived that." I whispered.

"Let's get through today. Okay?" He replied, and I nodded.

———

The day was sullen and not a single smile on anyone's face. I felt a tear fall down my face and I quickly wiped it away. "Brent? Seth?" I called out, and they walked over. "See to it that the Robinsons are moved into the pack house. Both of their parents died in the battle. Oh, and I need you to make arrangements for everyone who lost someone is compensated." I instructed.

"Yes Alpha." They muttered sadly.

"Wait." I called out. They both turned. I walked over to Seth and hugged him tightly. He seemed shocked, but his arms tightened around me and he rested his head on top of mine. "Thank you." I whispered. He responded by hugging me tighter. We pulled apart, and I turned to Brent and hugged him. His familiar warmth encased me as he held on tightly.

"I'm sorry about your friends." He mumbled, and I sighed.

"They weren't my friends Brent, they were my people."

He hugged me tightly before we pulled back. Looking at the two of them, and nodded. Seth smiled at me before nodding. Brent looked at Jerome. "Autumn... she was alright. I'm sorry for your loss." He stated and Jerome tilted his head to the side, regarding him with a perplexed look.

"You're the only person to have said that to me. Weird since it's coming from you."

"Why's that?" Brent quipped back with a slight smirk.

"Because you hate me, and I hate you." Jerome muttered, and I sniggered. That's true.

"This looks like the beginning of a beautiful bromance." Seth joked and Jerome scoffed, rolling his eyes. There was a ghost of a smile on his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest. I shook my head, knocking my shoulder against his.

"Come on, we have to leave soon."

He nodded, and we made our way back to the pack house. "Theo!" I called out as I stepped out of the elevator. He came running out of his room. He didn't stop until he had wrapped his arms around me. I smiled and held him close.

"Could you please tell Eiya she wants to play with my toys but I don't want her to?" He pouted. I raised a brow at him before glancing at Jerome. He was trying not to laugh.

"No baby, you gotta share."

"B-but she wants to play with my favourite one." He pouted, his face falling in sadness. I bit my lip, trying to keep my humor at bay.

"That's not how it works, baby. You can take turns please, sweetheart." I asked, bending down to his level. He pouted before hugging.

"Fine," he mumbled as Eiya came out of the room. She walked over shyly before handing Theo his toy. "No! You play with it."

She looked at him and smiled brightly. "Oh! Really? Can I?" She grinned, and he nodded.

"You can bring it with us, we have to get ready to leave now my loves." I smiled and Theo nodded. Jerome left with Theo to get him dressed and I took Eiya into my room. I had Brent run to town to buy her a whole new wardrobe. When we got back from the hunter's underground prison system, we had tried to look for her parents so she could go home. We found them... they were no longer with us, so I took her in. She's been through so much and I couldn't just let her go into the system. No way.

The others, Carlson and Jessie, went back to their packs. It was amazing watching them reunite with their families. They promised to come visit, and I ensured them I'd visit them. Evan stayed here, of course, to be with my sister, whose relationship is so cute it makes me want to puke. Trish also stayed here, as per my invitation. She lives in a private house near the lake; I didn't want to surround her with people and overwhelm her.

Eiya sat down on the bed, her hands trailing over the dress on the bed. "Is this for me?" She asked, and I smiled.

"Yes, sweetheart, let's get you dressed." I whispered.

---

The rain was heavy; I held the umbrella over our heads. Eiya and Theo were cuddled into my side. Jerome was standing up front with his parents and brother, who was cradling his baby Talia. He held her close as he sobbed at the loss of his love; I knew how he felt, well no... what I experienced was much, much worse, but I knew how it feels to lose a love.

The funeral was somber, and I watched as Jerome held his brother tightly. He stood up to speak, and my eyes followed him. I knew he could feel me watching him; I wanted to make him feel more comfortable. Theo tugged my hand. "Why is dad crying?" He asked softly, and my eyes snapped down to his.

"His friend went to heaven." I say softly before running my hand through his hair.

"Autumn... she was my first love, consequently, my first heartbreak. There was a time where even looking at her hurt more than a thousand stab wounds. But things... they got better. And we were becoming friends. She was kind and cared deeply for my brother. She loved her baby so much, that much was obvious. So obvious that when it came down to it, she held on just long enough to ensure her baby survived. She's never going to be gone. She's in here," he says, placing a hand on his chest. "She's with us all, right here. I know that she was a victim of war and it will always be my deepest regret that I couldn't save her. So, I'm sorry for that, I'm so sorry." He whispered, stepping down. I swallowed the lump in my throat, pulling my kids closer.

Our eyes locked from across the grass way, I sent him a small smile; he hugged his parents and his brother before walking over to us. He hugged me tightly, his hands falling to pull the kids into a hug. He bent down to their level, his eyes watering slightly. "You guys okay?" He asked. Theo nodded. Eiya reached over and hugged him tightly.

"I'm sorry about your friend." She whispered. He smiled softly.

"It's okay. Come on, let's go." He murmured.

He stood, wrapping his arm around me and picking up Eiya. He placed her on his hip and I held Theo's hand. We made our way back into the house for the wake. The mood was as sombre inside as it was outside; we didn't stay long. The mood was making everyone feel that much worse.

"It'll get better." I whispered as I placed my hand on Jeremiah's shoulder. He looked at me, his eyes swimming with sadness. He reached over and pressed a hand to my stomach. His eyes dropping to the ground.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled, and I delicately pushed his hand off me.

"I just want to move on, y'know?"

He sighed heavily. "I don't think I'll ever be able to move on."

I squeezed his shoulder again. "I thought the same too, for so long. Years even, but I got through it and you will too, okay? I'm always here to talk if you need it." I mumbled. He nodded. I turned and got in the car. I waited for a few minutes whilst Jerome talked to his brother. It had been a tiring experience and I'm looking forward to putting it behind me. I know that the pack, and I have much healing to do, but I'm going to ensure that everyone heals. I won't rest until Jarred is dead, and I know my family is safe.

The car shook as Jerome shut the door; I glanced at him and smiled.

"Lets go home."

I nodded. "Lets."