Jason's POV
I experienced melancholy and a feeling of loss. A tie, a unique connection shared only by a pack, has been violently torn away, leaving a void. I could hear the wailing cries before I even reached the border that welcomed me back into my country. They were humming a terrible harmony while singing a stunningly sorrowful song about death and misery.
When I learned who we had lost and the soul in which I could not locate everyone who was connected to me, I became furious. Maybell was there. A carefree, youthful spirit with a big grin and an upbeat demeanor. She was a distinguished warrior's daughter. Her father wasn't one to grin or laugh, but whenever she was around, he always appeared to be. Like everyone in my group, she was unique. She had a particular place in my heart, and I'll do all in my power to ensure that she won't be forgotten.
I leaned back on my haunches and, with the rest of my load, started singing to the sun. I let out throaty cries that perfectly captured how I was feeling by coming from deep inside. My pack immediately started howling in answer, rejoining the melody one by one. The first word that came back to me was memorizing, which drew me in very immediately. My partner, Luna, was speaking out about the situation, expressing her own feelings and criticizing the guy who had taken something so pure.
We sat there and performed our song in her honor, asking the Moon Goddess to grant Maybell a smooth transition to the other side. It ultimately came to an end, and the pack members had to return to their jobs and regular schedules. The funeral arrangements have already been made.
When I put my nose to the ground, the metallic smell of blood drew me to the horrific scene. It was as if the area surrounding my pack absorbed her deathly spirit, creating a lingering odor everywhere you went. I changed as I neared and put on some of the clothing I had in my luggage. Maybell's parents were hugging each other and crying at the death of their only daughter and youngest child. Looking away from their daughter, the mother was crying into the father's neck. Although he seemed indifferent, he was really crying quietly as he stood there.
Megan was standing over the little girl's corpse, but she was looking at the criminal, who was now also dead, like Maybell. Fresh blood has been applied to her fur, which shines in the glaring light. She took a defensive position, treating the now-dead Maybell as if she were her own daughter. Her Luna instincts began to surface, wanting to defend her packmates and act as the Mayberry figure for everyone by watching over each youngster as if they were her own.
I spoke out quietly, "Megan," to alert her to my presence without alarming her. You must distance yourselves from her. I attempted to put a comforting touch on her head, but she hissed menacingly and bit at my palm.
Megan," I repeated. "I apologize, but she left. Look." I spoke in a steady, collected voice. "Her parents need to see her since they are here. To say their goodbyes, they must be alone themselves. When she finally turned to look, she winced as she saw the corpse lying there. She shifted from her posture and let her shoulders drop as she turned to face me. She moved to where her parents were standing after the argument on her left.
I said, "Thank you." Mom remarked in between tears. I appreciate your efforts to assist her. When Malia was through, she glanced back at me and tilted her head as if she were looking for directions.
"Come on, you deserve another warm bath."
Megan's POV
Alpha encouraged me to change as we were walking through the forest by handing me one of the clothes he had in a bag, turning around, and giving me space to do so. If I hadn't been covered in blood, the shirt's enormous size and comfort level would have been excellent. The clothing stuck to my body because of the blood. I smelled like rouge and blood, which made me sick. Alpha: After hearing that, Jason turned around and grinned at me.
Come on, you won't smell that way for much longer. We strolled silently, with my speed slowed by tiredness. My veins were no longer rushing with adrenaline as swiftly as they had been. Only then did I realize that a sharp agony was emanating from the bottom of my foot, forcing me to bite my lip to contain a scream. Some areas of the blood were crusty from drying, while others were still gooey.
When he fell behind, he graciously slowed down, and when we got to his home, he opened the door for me. Blood dripped from my foot onto the area rug in the foyer as I hobbled through the doorway.
I said, "I'm sorry.
To what end? Nothing you did was incorrect.
The answer is "Yes, I did." I forced. I brought them here, after all. All the rogues are present because of me. That young girl's death is all my fault.
"Megan." He groaned. "Not everything you do is your fault." As he moved closer to me, his hand at his side twitched. Through my eyelashes, I caught a glimpse of the turmoil in his gaze. Once again reaching in my direction, his hands moved, but they quickly withdrew and came back to his sides.
The question, "What were you going to do?" I asked gently while continuing to keep an eye on every gesture of his hands.
I was going to give you a hug. He answered.
"Why?"
"It appeared that you required one."
"What benefit could a hug possibly have?" I enquired, perplexed.
It provides some level of comfort. Hugs are healing for the soul.
"Oh."
So, may I give you a hug? He queried. I saw a dog kick in his face. His sparkling green eyes were wide, and a little pout could be seen on his lip. I genuinely wanted to feel better, and if I had said no, I would have felt awful about it. I quickly and subtly nodded in response to his inquiry. He walked toward me while holding out his arms, his slight pout transforming into a broad smile. His arms securely encircled me as my face came into contact with his chest, one over my shoulder and the other around my waist. The stench of blood and rogues that was splattered all over my flesh was totally covered by his aroma, which enveloped me in the same way that it did for his companions.
I remained standing there for a long, unsure of what to do with my arms. My nose was still on his chest, and they were simply dangling by my sides. It wasn't the most pleasant situation, and I felt somewhat confined and unable to flee if necessary. I writhed a little and attempted to come up with the best course of action for this.
Alpha said in my ear, "You are thinking too much. When his warm breath touched my neck, goosebumps sprang out on my arms' skin. "Don't overthink this; just unwind and do what you want."
As soon as my thoughts went blank, I exhaled and almost immediately sagged in his arms. I slowly encircled his waist with my arms and moved my head so that my ear was on his heart. Compared to my previous position, this felt considerably better and more comfortable.
"See? It isn't that horrible. His thumb was gliding over my shoulder, back and forth. We remained in this position for some time. Through the shirt I was wearing, his thumb continued to massage my flesh as I gradually melted into his arms. He eventually resumed his speech.
You are aware that this isn't all your responsibility, correct? He queried. You are being kept here by me. I could have given the order for you to leave my territory and follow them, but I chose not to do so because I need and want you to stay. Although you may have brought them here, I will take care to keep you here. Stop constantly blaming yourself since it's equally your responsibility and mine.
His statements left me in disbelief. He was attempting to shift the responsibility away from me even though it was all my fault. They are here only as a result of me. There is no stopping that.
I said, "No, it's not," "I'm to blame," she said.
"Megan, you're not to blame. If it were, the pack would want you at this location. I would not want you present. We blame the rogues, not you, and we don't blame you. You are the one threatening us; you are not the one attempting to harm the pack. You are not the one assaulting us. We appreciate you for attempting to shield us from them, if anything. We need you; I need you; therefore, the pack and I are battling to keep you here. They will fight till their last breath to keep their Luna secure because they need their Luna just as much as I do.
After his brief tirade, I felt compelled to look at him. I wanted to see him and see all the feelings that were being shown in his eyes by gazing into them. I took a step back, applied pressure to my hurt foot, and gasped in agony.
"Ouch." I snarled and lifted my foot off the ground as I immediately released the burden from it. My body was torn apart by Alpha's hands, which then traveled down to my thighs. He pulled himself up and picked me up off the ground, holding me at his hips. To prevent falling, I had to put my arms over my neck and my legs around his waist.
"Let's get you fixed up," I said. He said before going upstairs to his bathroom.