Chapter 4. Final Burial

When they were young, he and his best friend got into a fight over a soldier toy they had found in the woods. Titus wanted it from Tyler even though Tyler found it first. He was Alpha’s son, but that didn’t mean he could have anything he wanted.

When Logan, the former Alpha, heard about it, he gave them the order to engage in a fight for it. Of course, Titus won, just as he would have done this time if Tyler had been fighting again. 

I’m sincerely sorry, Alpha. I crossed the line this time. stated Tyler. 

Tyler caught Titus’s attention once more. “I’m not angry. You are the only person who can truly speak with me in this way without worrying about getting into trouble; be assured, I won’t get you in trouble. You are my only confidant, Tyler. He placed a hand on Tyler’s shoulder and nodded slowly and confidently. ”We are brothers.” 

Yes, they are, and if he decides to veer off course, he really needs Tyler to correct him. Tyler has always been that type of a friend. Loyal and composed, Titus has always been pleased to have a friend who is quite opposite personality from himself. 

“If Logan continues to complain that you don’t offer him enough instruction or have enough time for him, I should leave before he arrives. Titus raised his brows. “Is that really the case?” 

Tyler sighed. “No, not in the manner he said it. The rogues have recently been seen prowling the area. I predict that soon there will be a war. The soldiers must get combat training and gear. Dylan doesn’t need to worry. I have placed him in competent hands.” 

Titus’s eyes furrowed, and he began to speculate. “Tyler? Who did you assign to look after Dylan?”

“Alexander.” Tyler saw that Devil was furious as he looked into Titus’s eyes, which had turned from their usual brown color to crimson when he shouted Alexander’s name. “Titus, remain calm. Logan will do a great job and finally be able to connect with Dylan, despite the fact that I am aware of your hate for him.”

Titus shook his head while attempting to contain both his own and his wolf’s rage. “The least person I want around Dylan is Alexander, he spreads like a poison when he comes into contact with something. To me, Dylan shouldn’t behave in same way as Alexander.”

“But he’s your brother. Alexander and Dylan are siblings, so what harm could he really do to Dylan?”

“Make him work against me? Just like he turned our sister Max against me?”

Tyler nodded slowly. “True, I just assumed that being a beta, he’d be more effective.”

“Besides, you’re a Gamma, so look after and train my brother. If it gets too much for you to handle on your own, you can turn to Gamma Cypher for assistance.”

Tyler grinned. “My brother?”

Titus started to walk away and nodded.

“And where exactly are you going?” Tyler called out.

Titus turned around, giving Tyler a sly, sinister look. “Hunting for humans.” 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Selena stood in front of a large group of mourners who had gathered around a coffin on a rainy Saturday afternoon, sheltering themselves with umbrellas. Her struggle to hold back tears was evident as she stood next to Isabel. She hoped it was all a terrible dream, that her father had not really passed away. She wore a long black dress, her auburn hair recently dyed black, tied back in a ponytail.

“Go ahead, Selena. Place the flowers on the coffin,” Isabel said, her hand sliding off Selena’s shoulder as she approached her father’s casket to lay a flower on it. “Say something to him, so he can hear it,” her mother added.

Selena wasn’t one to hold such beliefs. She had a knack for seeing through the illusions, like realizing the tooth fairy was just a comforting lie for children. Growing up in wealth, she never faced financial struggles, but she was far from the stereotypical spoiled rich girl. She was tall, had a model’s figure, excelled in school, and had many friends. She was loved for who she was, but here she was, standing in front of her best friend’s coffin. Selena still couldn’t believe he was gone for good.

When Selena learned that her father’s heart had been taken, she had difficulty approaching him after the detective brought his body home. She had sensed that her mother and Hania were withholding something from her as they huddled in a corner to discuss. The detective also informed Selena that the results of the requested autopsy would be available in a few weeks, giving her hope that she would discover the exact cause of her father’s death.

In the days following, Selena secluded herself in her room, refusing to eat or talk to anyone. She blamed herself for not remembering what happened in the car before she passed out. Perhaps if she had been more alert, she could have figured out what happened to her father, and if they hadn’t gone to the game, he might still be with her.

“It’s entirely your fault, Selena. You’re to blame for this!” She berated herself, repeatedly banging her head on the edge of the bed, causing her chest to ache as she cried helplessly.

Two days later, Selena received instructions for the burial and to wear the gown her mother had ordered. Reluctantly, she left her room and arrived at the service just as it was about to begin, accompanied by rain. After watching her younger sister place flowers on the coffin, she returned to her mother’s side.

“I’ll surely miss him,” Hania said.

Selena nodded, fighting the urge to cry in front of everyone. She knew she would cry herself to sleep in her room for the entire week following the burial. Her dearest friend wouldn’t return, and she would miss him terribly.

She leaned against Hania’s shoulder, sighing. “I’ll miss him too.”

After the service, Selena saw her mother talking to people who had attended and began to head toward her car, contemplating some alone time or returning to the mansion to lock herself in her room.

“Selena, wait!” Hania called.

Turning back, Selena found Hania approaching, holding her long dress. “If you’re looking for Mom, she’s with Grandpa,” Selena replied, expecting them to be talking about nonsense.

Hania drew closer, closing her umbrella, and inquired, “Are you okay?” She had noticed that Selena hadn’t talked much with her family since their father’s body was brought home. Selena had been in mourning, and Hania wanted to make sure she was okay.

Selena offered a small nod. “I’m fine with everything. Why?”

“You didn’t cry. I thought you’d cry. You were Dad’s favorite, and you two got along so well. I wish I had had that chance with him.”

“Hania, I’m okay,” Selena assured her, keeping her voice steady. She didn’t want to cry in public; she preferred to be alone in her room for that. “The tears are being held back,” she explained.

“You know I’m here to help you with anything, right? I’ll be there for you, even if I’m not as close to you as you were to your father.”

“Thank you, Hania. That means a lot coming from you,” Selena said, smiling faintly.

Hania nodded and tilted her head before preparing to leave. “I’ll... I’ll go now. I need to find Jade.”

Selena stopped her as she was about to leave. Hania turned around, curious.

“Something has been bothering me, Hania.”

“What is it?” Hania responded. “Feel free to talk to me.”

After giving her sister a long look, Selena realized that Hania would be reluctant to provide the answers she was seeking. “Hania,” Selena called, smiling. “It’s all about the bear. I remember the color now.”

“What?”

“Tell me now. What are you and Mom keeping from me, Hania?”