Chapter 5: Chaos at the Funeral

Thea's POV

The Moon Temple was already packed with pack members when Leo and I arrived. They streamed past, their eyes sliding over me like I was invisible. Or worse, like I was a stain they couldn't quite scrub away.

I'd spent the last three days arranging this funeral alone, managing every detail my mother was too grief-stricken to handle. But not that anyone had noticed. Not that anyone ever noticed when the wolfless daughter did anything right.

"Mommy?" Leo tugged at my hand. "Why is everyone looking at us funny?"

Because your mother is a freak. Because I'm the shameful secret the Sterling Pack wishes they could forget. Because I don't belong here, even at my own father's funeral.

"Don't worry about them, baby," I said instead, forcing a smile. "Let's find our seats."

People parted before us like water, their whispers following in our wake. I caught some of them - "the wolfless daughter", "shouldn't be here" and "poor Leo, stuck with her." My grip tightened on Leo's hand, drawing strength from his presence.

The ceremonial area was arranged in a semicircle, with the pack's inner circle seated closest to the altar. Mom sat in the front row, Roman beside her. I led Leo toward the far side, away from the family section. No point pretending I belonged there.

We'd barely settled into our seats when sandalwood and rain scent washed over me. Sebastian dropped into the chair beside me, his massive frame making the wooden seat look almost comically small.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, my whole body tensed.

"Sitting with my son." His voice was clipped and professional.

Before I could respond, Leo squeezed past my legs. "I want to sit between you and Daddy," he announced, his small face serious. Thank the Goddess for my boy and his perfect timing.

The temple elder stepped forward to begin the ceremony, his weathered hands raising the sacred moonstone. "We gather today to bid farewell to Alpha Derek Sterling, beloved leader, mate, and father..."

Father. The word echoed hollowly in my chest. What kind of father looks at his newborn daughter and sees only shame? What kind of father tells his pack that his youngest is a mistake?

Around us, people bowed their heads and began to pray. I watched my mother sob quietly in the front row, Roman's arm around her shoulders. Aurora sat on her other side, her perfect profile wet with artful tears. Sebastian's eyes were closed, his lips moving silently along with the others.

What would my own funeral look like? The thought hit me suddenly, making my breath catch. Would anyone even come? Or would they all breathe a collective sigh of relief that the Pack's greatest embarrassment was finally gone?

It felt like time stood still during the ceremony. Leo dozed against my arm while I sat rigid, hyperaware of Sebastian's presence beside me. His arm would occasionally brush mine as he shifted, each touch sending unwanted sparks through my skin. Until now my traitorous body still responded to him like a flower turning toward the sun.

Finally, the Elder concluded the prayers. I stood quickly, ready to escape, but Aurora's voice cut through the murmuring crowd.

"Thea. A word?"

She stood blocking the aisle, perfectly poised as always, but her smile was ice.

I tried to step around her. "Not now, Aurora."

Her hand shot out, nails digging into my arm. "Yes, now." She smiled down at Leo. "Sweetheart, why don't you go find your grandma? I need a moment with your mother."

Leo glanced between us uncertainly. I forced a smile. "It's okay, baby. Go ahead."

Once Leo was gone, Aurora's smile vanished. "I'm taking back what's mine, Thea. Everything." Her eyes flicked toward Sebastian. "Starting with him."

"I never stole anything." My voice was ice. "But you know what? He's all yours. He always was."

Her eyes narrowed, something dark flashing behind them. "How touching. The little wolfless freak finally understands her place." She leaned in, her voice dripping with cruelty. "Did you really think an Alpha like him could ever want someone like you?"

"Are we done?"

"For now." She patted my cheek condescendingly. "Try not to embarrass the family any further today. It's the least you can do for Daddy."

The burial site was beautiful, I had to admit. I'd chosen it myself - a peaceful clearing in the Pack lands, surrounded by the ancient trees Dad had loved so much.

I stood with my family but apart from them, watching through a haze as they lowered my father's body into the ground. Mom's wails pierced the air. Leo pressed against my side, crying quietly. I stroked his hair, helping he toss his handful of dirt into the grave.

We moved to the reception area afterward. Leo ran off to get cookies with his Ashworth grandparents. I watched him being greeted by Sebastian's parents and his twin brother Damien - a mirror image of Sebastian in looks, but lacking that cold Alpha intensity. Where Sebastian radiated power, Damien's eyes held an easy warmth that made him actually nod in acknowledgement when he saw me. Not that it mattered. One civil Ashworth didn't make up for a pack's worth of disdain. I was left alone to face the awkward silence of pack members who didn't know how to act around their Alpha's wolfless Luna.

I was just about to grab a drink when suddenly, a snarl tore through the air—a distinctive, savage sound that could only mean Rogues. They surged from the treeline, at least a dozen of them, wild-eyed and baring their fangs.

Wolves erupted around me as people all shifted. Sebastian's silver-gray form burst from his suit, launching straight to... Aurora.

Of course. Even in crisis, his first instinct was to protect her.

I couldn't shift. Couldn't fight. Couldn't even run. All I could do was stand there like an idiot, watching Sebastian guard my sister.

Somewhere in the chaos, I heard Leo screaming for me. My baby. I had to get to him.

I shoved my way through the chaos, desperately searching for Leo. In my panic, I didn't see the rogue until the russet-colored beast lunged for my throat with murder in its dark eyes. Just as its jaws snapped at my face, a massive black wolf slammed into it, sending them both crashing to the ground.

I stumbled backward, my heel catching on the fresh dirt of my father's grave. Pain exploded across my side as another rogue's claws found their mark.

I hit the ground hard, my vision blurring. Blood soaked through my dress - my blood. The world started to fade around the edges.

My last thought before consciousness slipped away was of Leo. Please, Goddess, let my son be safe...

Then darkness claimed me, and I knew nothing more.