The Mystical White Wolf
THIRTYNINE-THE FUNERAL AND DEALING WITH THE BLOOD MOON PACK

Funeral Day: February 3rd

Antonio POV

I heard humming and blinked my eyes open as the sun peeked through the big bay window in our bedroom. Staci was sitting on the couch nursing Ace as she looked out the window. I yawned and stretched my limbs as Staci's head turned toward me, and she smiled at me.

"Good morning, handsome," Staci said with a bright smile.

"Good morning," I said, smiling back.

"You came to bed late last night."

"Are you okay?" Staci asked as Ace cooed and kicked his legs.

I nodded and sighed as Staci stared at me for a moment. Ace was done nursing, so Staci burped him over her shoulder.

I got out of bed and headed toward the bathroom to shower and get prepared for my Uncle's funeral. I brushed my teeth and washed my face as the water heated up in the shower. The week has been hectic.

Aunt Alicia stopped eating and sleeping. Mom had to force her to eat and rest. Then, Dr. Scott had to be brought in and take matters into his own hands. Aunt Alicia has been at the pack hospital all week receiving fluids and was put on strict bed rest.

As my thoughts raced about today, I hopped in the shower and washed my body. A few minutes later, Staci walked inside, took off her PJs, and stepped inside the shower with me.

Staci and I showered and finished as we got out and dried off. We exited the bathroom, went to our closets, and dressed for the funeral. I wore a black three-piece suit with a royal blue tie and the Blue Eclipse pendant.

I walked out of my closet as Staci was exiting hers. She wore a black dress and black heels, and the Blue Eclipse pendant was pinned to her dress. Her curly hair was left down, and her makeup was natural. Staci went to pick up Ace. He wore a black button-up shirt, black dress slacks, a royal blue bowtie, and black dress shoes.

"We're ready," Staci said, holding Ace tightly.

Staci and I exited our bedroom and walked toward the front of the suite. When I opened the door, Juliano leaned against the wall and looked up at us. I was still a little pissed at him for allowing Staci to fight in the battle last week. I guess Staci could feel the tension as she stared at us.

"Ugh, will you two knock it off?"

"Makeup already," Staci said, walking toward the elevator with our son.

I looked at Juliano as he looked at me. I sighed and held my hand out to him as he looked down. Juliano gripped my hand and hugged me brotherly as I apologized to him.

Juliano and I walked toward the elevator. Staci waited for us, and we stepped inside. I pressed the button for the first floor, and we descended as the doors slid closed. When the doors opened, we stepped out as Carter and Monica waited in the foyer.

Carter was dressed like Juliano and me, while Monica wore a black dress with the Blue Eclipse pendant.

"Antonio? Where are you guys?" my Mother linked me.

"Headed there now," I linked back.

We decided to have my Uncle's funeral in the indoor garden conservatory. The snow was still falling, so the garden was better suited for it. Marcelo and Lucas were waiting by the doors as they bowed and opened them for us.

We entered, and everyone stood and bowed as we passed. I saw Seth, Beta Cole, and their parents seated with my cousins and parents toward the front. Aunt Alicia was in a wheelchair with a blanket draped over her legs, and the life in her eyes was gone. My cousins held her hands, tears stained their cheeks as their mates consoled them.

We sat on either side as Carter, Juliano, and their mates sat behind Staci and me. I looked at the black casket that held my Uncle's body and took a deep breath.

Elder Gerard walked forward on the steps and stood behind the podium, looking out into the crowd. His blue eyes looked toward Alicia and their daughters as he sighed. He proceeded to begin the funeral. Gerard talked about my Uncle's time as an Alpha and how he led the Blue Eclipse respectfully and diligently. I heard sniffles and silent howls as Gerard spoke.

Elder Gerard called my four cousins to the podium to discuss their Dad. Each one had different things to say about my Uncle as a Father and how he loved all of them and their Mother with his whole heart. They expressed how much they would miss him and said their goodbyes as tears glistened in their eyes.

Once the girls were done, a priestess started singing about the wolf and the moon. The guys and I stepped forward and prepared to escort my Uncle's casket to the Blue Eclipse cemetery. Elder Gerard walked behind us as he said a prayer for my Uncle's spirit.

The snow crunched under our feet as we hiked toward my Uncle's grave placement. My Father pushed Aunt Alicia beside Elder Gerard, and their daughters were behind them.

When we reached the grave placement, a few warriors helped us with my Uncle's casket. I heard whimpers as Aunt Alicia's eyes flashed briefly and then disappeared.

"May the goddess protect his spirit and keep his family safe," Elder Gerard said.

We lowered the casket into the ground, and I was first to pick up dirt and throw it inside the ground. Some landed on my Uncle's casket. Ares howled and whimpered for our Uncle. I heard gasps as a vine sprouted from the ground and white roses opened up from the vines.

I turned to Staci, and tears glistened in her eyes. She had a slight smile on her face as she looked at me. "Thank you," I mouthed as she nodded.

Everyone came to say their goodbyes. My Father rolled my Aunt Alicia forward as she took in a sharp breath and looked at his casket. Aunt Alicia screamed at the top of her lungs as my Father and Mother held her. She howled and thrashed until she calmed down.

The warriors filled the hole as my Father wheeled Aunt Alicia back to the castle. Carter, Juliano, Seth, and Cole walked up as we exited the cemetery.

"Ready?" Carter asked me.

I looked toward Staci as she handed Ace over to my Mother, looked at us, and nodded.

"Ready," I said and loosened my tie.

Staci POV

The funeral was beautiful and sad at the same time. Elder Gerard gave an excellent speech about Ricardo as an Alpha, and the girls spoke highly of their Father. When Alicia saw the casket, her wolf came forward and let out a sorrowful howl for her mate. My heart went out to Alicia and their daughters as the girls came over and hugged me.

As we exited the cemetery, I saw Carter, Juliano, Cole, and my brother walking toward Antonio. I knew what was coming next, so I quickly caught up with Evelyn and handed Ace to his Grandmother.

I looked back at Antonio as he stared at me, and I nodded. I already told Antonio I was coming with them because I wanted to teach those assholes a lesson for coming for me. I wasn't some damsel in distress, and Antonio knew this, so he didn't have a problem with me coming along.

We didn't bother changing our clothes as this would be a quick death sentence for the Blood Moon pack. Elder Gerard came with us to deliver the news and possibly disband the pack once we were done.

The drive was short, and Olivia rode with us. She said she needed the closure and pointed out the warriors loyal to her ex-husband Conrad. Olivia said she wasn't sure about the Beta. She mentioned not having that much interaction with him.

The pack came into view, and no one was standing guard at the torn-down gate as the SUVs entered. Some pack members worked out in the field, while others stared at the passing SUVs. Their houses were falling apart, and paint was chipping in certain areas.

"This is a disaster," Seth said.

I nodded in agreement as the two-story pack house came into view. It was red brick, with red and white trim and wooden window shutters and doors. I gasped as the house looked like it would collapse. I looked back at Olivia, who shook her head and sighed.

"Where are the warriors?" Carter asked.

Marcelo parked the SUV before the pack house as the others followed. Antonio stepped out first to assess the situation. He looked back at us and nodded as we exited the SUV and looked around.

"Help!" we heard a voice as a young woman ran toward us.

"Mate," Rafael said.

We looked ahead as a warrior was laughing and running after the girl. She spotted us. Rafael rushed forward and pulled the girl behind him. The warrior stopped in his tracks and looked at Rafael.

"She's mine. Give her to me," the warrior said.

Rafael growled, picking the warrior by his neck as his eyes flashed black.

"She's my mate, and you will pay with your worthless life," Rafael said.

"Razor."

"Let me speak to the fucker before you kill him," Antonio said.

Rafael brought the warrior forward and kicked his legs out as he kneeled and looked up at Antonio. The warrior gasped as his eyes widened and struggled against Rafael's hold.

"What the fuck, is this?" the warrior said.

"Tell me. Do you take pleasure in raping and hitting women," Antonio said, much to calm.

"Fuck you."

"The Alpha, let us do as we please with these women."

"They're nothing but whores and breeders," the warrior said and growled at my mate.

Antonio and Rafael growled as Rafael punched him hard in the jaw, and blood splattered on the snow.

"You die first," Antonio said and nodded to Rafael.

The warrior gasped as Rafael squeezed his head and twisted hard. We heard the snap as his neck broke and his head ripped off. Antonio turned to the young woman as she shivered, and Olivia wrapped her arms around her.

"What's your name?" Antonio asked her in a calm tone.

Rafael came forward, whipping his hands on the warrior's ripped shirt, and stood beside his mate to help comfort her. The young girl looked up at Antonio and then at Rafael as she wiped her eyes.

"My name is Celine, Alpha."

"My Father was Gamma Camden." the girl said and bowed.

"Was?" Antonio asked.

Celine sighed as she began to tell her story. Conrad Sr. killed Celine's family because the Gamma was trying to make alliances behind Conrad's back, and he found out and killed Camden, his mate and son. Conrad left Celine for his warriors as punishment for her Father's betrayal.

"Sick bastard," Rafael growled.

Celine leaned into Rafael to calm his wolf. Celine was a beautiful young woman, about 5'7, with long blonde hair, gray eyes, and fair skin. She was a bit skinny but still toned.

"Where is the Beta?" Antonio asked.

Celine looked up at Antonio, confused. Celine explained that the Beta was dead, and the warriors had been running amuck since their Alpha's death.

"Justin is dead?" Olivia asked Celine.

"Justin is in the cells with the warriors that didn't want to follow Conrad Jr's orders," Celine said.

"Well, that explains the lack of protection and authority in this place," Rafael said.

Olivia explained some things to Celine as her facial expressions changed. Celine didn't know Justin was the new Beta and led us toward the cells. Celine said that most of the warriors were passed out drunk and opened the door to the cells.

We walked the pathway toward the cells as some warriors looked up and rushed forward. Celine explained that we were there to help and were looking for Justin.

One of the warriors pointed to the last cell as Carter and Marcelo walked forward and looked inside. Justin groaned and lifted his head as he looked at us with one open eye.

"Beta Justin," Antonio said as Justin nodded.

Tiago found the keys and let the warriors and Justin out of their cells. We helped them outside, and Justin sat near a tree. He held his side and panted.

"My Luna is a healer," Antonio said as I placed my hand on Jusin's head, and his wounds healed.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Antonio asked.

Justin began telling his story when Thomas and Ford came to the Blood Moon pack and demanded that Conrad Jr and his trusted warriors attack us. Thomas and Ford didn't anticipate Abaddon being present, and he told them his intentions with me. Thomas liked the idea of Antonio suffering, and they made their plans come into motion.

Justin said he tried to convince Conrad Jr that it was a bad idea and that he would lose. He noted that Conrad Jr became outraged and attacked him. Justin stated that after Conrad Jr beat him. He drugged him with wolfsbane and locked him in the cells with the other warriors who refused to help.

Antonio asked Justin if he could point out the ones loyal to Conrad and his son. Justin nodded, got up, and walked toward the front of the pack house. Justin stopped before the pack house, and his eyes clouded over.

A few minutes later, we heard footfalls and about twenty warriors came and lined up before the pack house. The warriors looked around, confused, and whispered among themselves. Elder Gerard stepped forward with a piece of paper and started speaking.

"All of you are at this moment sentenced to death for the crimes committed."

"Adultery, attempted kidnapping, mistreatment of pack members, and attacking a pack without probable cause," Elder Gerard said.

The warriors shouted and tried to attack, but our warriors held them back. Antonio stepped forward and eyed the warriors. I felt his aura expand as the warriors whimpered and bowed their heads.

"Blue Eclipse."

"Do your worst," Antonio boomed.

Seth and Cole ripped off the heads of the warriors they were holding while the others did the same. I flicked my wrist as vines sprouted up and stabbed the ones trying to run in the hearts and ripped their heads off.

Once all the warriors were dead, the other pack members moved forward and bowed to Antonio and me. They expressed their gratitude. A little girl about five years old rushed forward. She had long brunette hair and green eyes.

"Daisy?" Olivia called out and picked up the little girl.

The pack members explained that Daisy's Father was one of the warriors that Conrad Jr. tortured and killed. Her Mother died from the loss of her mate, and everyone kept Daisy protected from the Alpha.

My heart broke for the little girl as she had no other family. Olivia expressed her deepest desire to adopt the little girl, and Antonio gave her permission since he was the acting Alpha of the Blood Moon pack.

Justin decided he wanted to stay in Blood Moon and be the warrior he was born to be, and Olivia was coming back to Blue Eclipse with us and becoming a member of the pack.

Once everything was settled, Antonio talked to Elder Gerard away from everyone, and I wondered what my mate had up his sleeves as he turned and smiled at me.

We loaded into the SUVs and headed back home. I was just glad this day was over with. I was ready to take a hot bath and cuddle with my son and mate.

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