The Guardian Wolf And Her Alpha Mate
The Blessed Ones – A Blessing Or A Curse? Chapter 31

Jax POV:

Definitly" I reply immediately. "I will also send 25 warriors along with Florence to provide added rassurance to your pack members. It's the least we could do."

"Thank you" Axton replies in relief. A wave of sympathy flows though me as I realise how tough that must have been asking for help, but after signing an alliance with him and him being a worthy mate of my sister I would never have refused him. "As Alice is pregnant I suspect Theo would prefer to be close to her after she had to go away during the fight, that's why I've chosen Florence to travel to your pack, her mate Andrew is a warrior and will accompany her also" I explain as I hear both Axton and Luca thank me once again as they say they understand. "They wont be able to travel till after this evenings burnings though. It is time to honour our fallen warriors."

"Of course" Axton agrees immediately.

"Sophie and the others can travel beforehand though" I tell them. "I'm sure Luca is eager to see his mate."

'You have no idea" Luca growls as I see Nova chuckle quietly before palming at her face.

"Great" I chuckle.

"Well that settles it then. We will see you tomorrow"

"Thank you Alpha Jax" they both say before bidding Nova a good night and ending our call.

"Life is so eventful" Nova mutters as I wordlessly guide her to straddle me and she buries her face in my neck, breathing in my scent as I do hers.

"Understatement" I mutter making her laugh quietly against my chest. Staying there for a few moments, I enjoy the peace with my mate held close to me for as long as I can allow us before seeing its time for us to go. "Come on love, its time for the burning." "Lets go" she says quietly as she slowly stands and then links her arm with mine. "I havent got nearly as much done today as I wanted" she stresses. "I wanted to speak to the witches and my mother."

"You can see Lizzie tomorrow before we go love, and the witches will be here when we are back" I reassure her as she leans on me.

"You're right" she replies with a small smile. "I never feel like I do enough."

Hearing that I let out a short bark of laughter as she looks up at me in amusement. Trust me love, you do far more than anyone else I know. Don't under estimate yourself. Remember there is only so much time in a day."

"Wise words Alpha" she smirks at me as we stepp outside of the pack house. Seeing the wooden plynths in front of us, 9 in total, each with the families of the fallen laying their send off tokens on top to be burned, our faces drop as we walk quietly down to meet the pack.

"Nova!" I hear Sophie exclaim as my mate turns to launch herself at her sister. "I haven't got long."

"I know" Nova says with a sad smile as she pulls away from her. "One day soon we will spend more time together, but for now at least I can be happy knowing you are going to be with Luca."

"I'm ready to see him" Sophie admits as I see her eyes glaze over slightly.

"Have you been ok since we've been gone Sophie?" I ask her quietly.

"Yes I have" she reassures us both. "The Rogue warriors have been a great help and everything has ran smoothly, some are desperate to get back to their families but I've assured them with each passing day we are getting closer to that happening. Father though..we um, we had to perform his burning Nova."

Hearing my mate's breath hitch, I hold on to her as her body falls limply into my side.

"I missed it?" Nova sobs.

"I'm sorry, within the Rogue Pack it is custom to perform the burning within a week. Its tradition and as their future lead female I couldn't break something our father implemented" Sophie says apologetically.

"You should have told me" Nova says quietly as she looks at her sister with tears dripping down her face.

"I didn't want to distract you" Sophie says with a frown.

"I still deserved to know" Nova counters, her voice calm now but strong in her belief.

"I'm sorry Nova" Sophie says quietly as she takes in Nova's upset. With a trembling breath, Nova smiles tightly before stepping forward and embracing her sister briefly.

'Inform us when you have reached The White Mountain Pack Soph, look after yourself" Nova says with a small smile before she turns and begins walking to my mother. "I messed up didn't I" Sophie says to me quietly as I hang back.

"I get why you did it, and I believe Nova does also. But she hasn't had a chance to say a proper goodbye to her father. it may take a little time for that to sink it" I tell Sophie. "But she didn't even spend much time with him" Sophie exclaims as I growl quietly in warning and look at her in utter shock..

"He was both of yours father Sophie" I tell him, my voice deep and clear as she takes in my words.

"That was insensitive of me" she acknowledges as she sighs deeply. "I'll see you soon Alpha Jax, look after my sister."

"Always" I promise as I watch her go.

With a sigh, I walk to where my mate is waiting alongside my Beta at the front. Taking her hand I squeeze it gently before lifting it to my lips and kissing her fist softly. Turning to face the gathered pack, I raise our joined hands to gather their attention.

"Good evening everyone" I call out, my voice carrying over the stillness of the night. "Tonight we are gathered for the final stages of our fallen warriors journey with us. Ben, Mark, Calisto, Nirvana, Hiro, Anita, Samuel, Briana and Drew. 9 warriors who died a truly honourable warriors death, fighting to protect those they loved and cherished while doing us all proud. They were much loved by the pack and their presence has been missed since their passing. Tonight we honour them, we send them to greet our ancestors and from here on out they will be looking down on us and guiding us through life. As their Alpha, I am proud and as their friend I will miss them greatly. We will honour their memory by remembering them daily. The Goddess blesses you." With that, the pack all repeat my final four words as a member from each family steps forward and sets the wooden frames alight.

Standing, we all watch as the flames quickly take hold, the night silent apart from the crackling of the growing fires.

Watching silently until the flames have taken hold completely, we all whisper our quiet messages to the fallen.

Some whisper memories while others whisper how much they will be missed.

Fifteen minutes later with the fires continuing to burn, Laurence steps forward and gathers everyones attention, avoiding my confused gaze as he does so.

"A sad but beautiful sight" he calls as everybody turns to listen. "For those lives lost due to this attack we suffered through, our Luna came up with a beautiful idea. If you could all look to the side of the pack house where gamma Flo is currently waiting I'd be most appreciative." Turning to look at Nova, I see her nervous gaze as she stares across to Flo where my Gamma pulls away a sheet of plastic to uncover a mosaic wall. One where the names of every fallen warrior are proudly on show, making the pack members collectively gasp and the families of the warriors all smile at the names of their loved one who will permanently be up for all to see.

"You did it" I whisper in shock as I look down at my mate.

"They fought a war that was brought to them because of me, its the least I could do. But I hope it can be a tradition, a way to remember the fallen" she says emotionally as I gather her tightly in my arms, kissing her fiercely as I pour all my appreciation for her through the bond.

As the pack all slowly turn to look at us, shouts of appreciation and thanks are directed at Nova as she holds her heart and offers a teary smile. Seeing Laurence offer his hand to Nova, she moves forward out of my grip.

"Thank you everyone. I knew from the moment I stepped foot in this pack that its where I belonged, I hope you all like my memorial wall. The warriors that fought for me, for us and for our future are on my mind every day. Words cannot express my gratitude for not only the ones we lost but for all that are here today. However, I have one more gift for you all, one which I hope shows you just how much this pack means to me" her soft voice calls out as the crowd listens to her every words. Turning to look at me, I look back at her in confusion as she steps forward with a nervous smile.

"Shut your eyes"

she whispers as I hesitantly do as she asks. "Now hold your hands out, palms up" she whispers as I hear an excited chatter start up in the crowd.

"So my gift to you all is this..." Nova calls while I sense her moving to stand in front of me. "Open your eyes....she whispers to me.

Slowly opening them, I look first at my mates nervous yet beautiful eyes before slowly moving my gaze down to what's in my hand. What I find takes my breath away, i stare wide eyed at the stick with two strong pink lines on show. "Congratulations daddy" Nova whispers as I move my gaze up to her once more, a large grin spreading across my face.

"You're pregnant.?" I whisper. Seeing her nod as a smile stretches across her face I lunge forward as I swing her round in my arms.

After a few seconds I lower her down before kissing her lips gently and turning to address the crowd.

"Our Luna has given us the greatest gift we can have" beam.

With a loud roar I lift her up into my arms as the pack bursts into cheers, "AN ALPHA HEIR!"