Book 2: Wolves of War

Emory

My mother tells me about what happened to Bernard before we arrive in Moon Grove. His body is transported in a separate car as we make our way back to my hometown. I’m too numb from shock and the millions of things I need to focus on other than my father’s death. Bernard, until the end, is causing problems for me.

I don’t have much time to give attention to this so I let my mother handle most of the arrangements for the funeral pyre. All Alphas are traditionally cremated outside while their family and friends look on and tell stories about the life the Alpha lived. Bernard’s public disgrace makes this a small affair. It’s just my mom, my siblings, and I. We were the closest to him, and still, none of us had really known him at all.

It’s sundown by the time the funeral pyre is ready. I was only three the last time I saw an Alpha’s cremation when Grandpa Colton died. I move mechanically through the funeral. My mom says a prayer to the Moon Godd