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wasn’t just pack members here, others
from the supernatural community had come to pay their homage, and
it showed the level of admiration and respect Mason had earned for
them to be here.
    Devlin stood closely by his King, Zane, and a
quick glance had me finding Vlad standing off to one side, looking
awkward.
    As we passed by Zane, Mason stopped and
accepted the embrace he was pulled into. There was history between
these two great leaders, and it was an affectionate one. The
vampire king whispered something into the Alpha’s ear, his hand
resting firmly on his shoulder.
    I walked Devlin’s arms, his body offering
temporary comfort as he also murmured how truly sorry he was.
    Moving to Mason’s side, I missed the short
conversation, but caught the end nod of agreement, and the brief
pat on the back before we continued on to the front of the
congregation. With chairs arranged in lines and an aisle down the
center, Vivien faced us on the dais that had been erected. Wearing
the ceremonial robes befitting her station as the lead witch, she
looked elegant and deeply saddened.
    I thought I had no more tears left as our
eyes linked, and she inclined her head to the side as if reading
me. Vivien was someone who I greatly admired, and I cherished the
relationship we’d been able to foster. She was a wise confidante,
someone with unfailing loyalty, and I could feel the calming energy
she radiated into the crowd, as she stepped down and walked towards
us.
    Her arms opened for Mason. “Darling boy, I’m
so sorry. This is something I couldn’t have foreseen and would
never have wished for you. To lose both parents, and now your
sister, you are too young to have experienced such loss.” I watched
as the embrace ended, and she caressed the side of his face.
“Please know I am here should you ever need to talk. Your mother
would’ve been so proud.”
    The comment seemed to make him stand a little
taller, and I was grateful he’d been given that reminder. Even
though his relationship with his father had been tenuous at best,
he had been close to his mother and she would’ve loved to have seen
the man he was.
    Vivien continued to hold Mason’s attention.
“Remember, brave Alpha, this too shall pass, and before you know
it, you’ll be reunited with your beloved sister. Keep your focus on
the future.” I loved hearing the slight accent she had. I hastily
brushed away my tears, and she turned to me. Using her finger to
slant my face back, she gazed deeply into my eyes—looking, reading,
studying.
    Taking hold of both of our hands, she clasped
them together, squeezing them with hers before releasing them.
“Yes, you truly are the perfect match. You will both be fine and
will rise above what is to come.”
    She nodded to herself, pleased, before
turning her focus onto the crowd gathered. She really did give off
a regal air, and I could see why so many people held her in high
esteem. She was a revered leader and a formidable opponent. With
the ritual soon to start, we walked alongside her back up on to the
dais.
    A feeling beckoned me, pulling my gaze away
and I looked behind Vivien. I found myself staring at Jasmine lying
on the makeshift altar. She was shrouded in the most exquisite
sheer material, and she looked like something out of a
fairytale.
    She wore a simple shift of lavender,
intricate beading on the bodice the only embellishment. Her hair
was brushed out and arranged into braids, with small blossoms and
ribbons threaded through. I noticed again how peaceful she looked,
like a slumbering princess waiting for her prince to come and kiss
her back to life. Surrounding her body were flowers of every kind,
and the floral scent filled the air.
    “She always was the beautiful one of the
family.”
    My quiet musings were broken by the soft
words of Mason.
    “I used to tease her about all the broken
hearts she’d leave in her wake. I guess she’ll be doing that where
she is now.” He wore a gentle smile, but I saw the pain