The holidays had just ended. Christmas and New Years came and went as normal. Mark and Kelp tried to keep things cheerful for the children of both packs. The adults had done their best to celebrate the season as their Luna had wanted them too. Katia had wanted to incorporate some of the human traditions like they had done with Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Nathan was nowhere to be seen. He attended none of the celebrations. Nathan canceled the New Year’s Eve ball, which was where Selene was to look for her mate. He kept himself locked in his office, gym, or bedroom. Selene had agreed that Katia did not say which New Year's Eve ball, so she said she could wait until the next one. It was only a year, and the pack members would have had time to adjust to losing their Luna. Still, it infuriated Mark that Nathan had made no attempt to speak with any of them and apologize for what he had done.
Mark was watching the children at the pond ice skating, when he heard footsteps squishing in the snow towards him. He felt a small hand take his and heard, “You miss her as much as I do, don’t you?”
Looking down at Selene, he answered chokingly, “I keep picturing her out there with the kids skating and having a grand time. I miss her so much. She saved us and had no idea that she did. She always thought we were trying to help her and find a way to save her. When the whole time she was saving us from ourselves and that monster we had for an Alpha.”
Selene stood watching a single tear roll down the man's face. She wondered at the fact these male wolves showed their emotions so easily. What was different about these two packs? Why were they more capable of coexisting than most packs? Why were they more compassionate towards others, including other supernaturals? It was something for her to try and learn about. Maybe she should ask her mama to help. It would help take her mind off losing Katia. Turning her attention back to Mark, she asked, “Do you really think she didn’t know? I believe something is going on here, and I think my sweet sister had something to do with it.”
Mark gave her a wry grin saying, “Knowing our little ghost, if it is something to do with helping and healing others, then you may be right.”
“Mark, did Katia ever tell you what to do if she was no longer here and could not personally bind with others seeking a safe haven to live in?” Selene asked him.
Choking up, he said, “Yeah, boy did I argue with her that day. I swore nothing would happen to her. She had come back again, and we would not let her go this time. She didn’t give us the choice though. She made sure we weren’t there to convince her we would find away to save both of you, and she could still be happy.”
Laying her hand on his back, Selene’s own heart was still shattered, and she knew exactly how he felt, “Not today, but in the future, would you tell me or show me what she told you to do?”
Mark was crying openly now. The tears just kept coming. He choked out, “Sure, I am going to have to do it the first time more show up seeking refuge anyway. I just can’t believe she entrusted me with it.”
Selene smiled slightly, saying, “She loved you. She told me how you were the first person she encountered after meeting Thomas and walking out of that house. You and Kelp were the first to show her kindness in a very long time.”
Mark grimaced, remembering that day. “She was so tiny. Hell, she never grew very big. She was so happy to reach 5 feet in height. We had a party in that damn dungeon. But yeah, that first day she terrified me at first. Those eyes were just blank until it registered that Kelp and I would not hurt her. She linked Kelp to somehow by showing him pictures of her life because she would not talk. Kelp said at first it made him nauseous until he got used to it. She scared the life out of him when she linked him without being part of our pack. It was hilarious watching his reaction and him trying to hide, so Alpha would not know.”
Selene did leave out a bit of a giggle, then tried to picture Kelp that day. She heard the others approaching and saw the look on Mark’s face. He knew what they were coming to talk about, and he did not want to have this conversation. It would mean that Katia was really gone and never coming back. Mark wanted to hold onto hope that, somehow, she could come back someday.
Dalia hugged him and said, “Let's go sit around the fire. You can still see the children from here and that they are safe, Mark.” She knew that Mark stood watch over the children for Katia. She loved them so much and loved being with them playing their games.
He shook his head no at her, saying, “I am fine here. If you wish to speak to me about something, then do so or leave me to keep Katia’s kids safe.”
Smiling at the name Mark had given to the children. “Katia’s kids, huh? I like it and so will they. Katia loved all the children, not just the orphans, so I am glad they all got along.”
Kane said quietly, “She didn’t just love the kids.”
Selene responded, “No, she loved everyone here. Look at how she forgave Lorn. I think if he had lived, that she would have somehow found a reason to forgive Thomas and everyone else who had done her harm. She loved as she went through her own suffering.”
Mark spoke up, “I know why you are here, and I don’t want to have this conversation. We do not have a body and without a body we cannot know for sure she is truly gone.”
Dalia crossed her arms over her chest, “You sound just like Nathan now. He screamed at me this morning when I told him we were meeting to make memorial plans today.”
Mark gritted his teeth, “Don’t compare me to him. I know he is your brother, and you say it was his love for Katia and the mate bond combined that made him act the way he did, but I cannot reason it out in my head.”
“Mark, I’m sorry he is my brother. I see sorrow and regret in his face every day. Let’s do what we came here to do and discuss how to honor Katia.” Dalia shot back.
Sighing, Mark gave in, following them to sit by the fire pit. Doc was speaking quietly to Coral and Eric but stopped when the rest of the group joined them.
Kelp spoke up first, “I was our little ghost’s first gamma. I felt her as my Luna immediately, and she showed me things I could never put into words she lived through. She wanted to have freedom and peace. She wanted that for anyone who needed a safe haven. I think it is our turn to give Katia her safe haven. A place where her spirit can dwell and be at peace.”
Coral sniffled, “I think our part of the waterfall, in the little cove right outside the forest, would be a lovely place to build a memorial.”
They all conversed back and forth about other places, but Coral was Katia loved that waterfall. It was where her old life ended and the new short-lived one began.
“We could plant her red, black, pink, and white roses she loved so much.” Dalia suggested.
“No statues. Maybe a bench. So others can sit and feel their Alpha Luna around them.” Eric chimed in.
Mark finally gave in but reiterated, “I don’t agree with this. Something inside me keeps nagging at me to not give up. To keep hope alive. This just doesn’t feel right.”
Kane said, “Mark, no one can feel her bond anymore. Not her parents, her sister, or anyone else. She’s gone.”
Mark’s remark surprised them all, “How do we know some kind of magic isn’t being used?” Mark stomped off, leaving them staring after him.