Chapter 145

Emily’s POV

The funeral fires burned bright against the evening sky.

Orange flames rose into the clouds while the entire pack stood around the clearing. The wind moved through the trees, carrying sparks up into the night.

I hated how beautiful it looked. Every fire meant someone was gone forever.

The largest fire in the center belonged to Owen. Smaller fires surrounded it. The girls from Marcus's pack. The ones who helped me escape. The ones who died because of me.

My throat ached.

“This was their choice,” Nathan murmured beside me, noticing where my thoughts were drifting.

“They still died,” I said, my voice cracking.

Nathan’s hand tightened slightly against my waist.

Nearby, Kane slowly stepped closer to the flames.

“You annoying bastard,” Kane muttered hoarsely under his breath. “You were supposed to survive longer than me.”

I swallowed hard and walked toward the smaller pyres instead.