The cemetery lay quiet beneath an early gray sky, a steady hush covering the rows of old stones. The Apex pack rarely gathered in silence, yet today no one approached with the familiar tension that once defined their presence.
Word had spread through Red Woods like an echo, reaching those who had not spoken to one another in years due to the growth of the city. Doureena's name carried enough weight to draw them back together for a single morning of stillness and respect.
Monica stood closest to the fresh mound of earth, hands clasped in front of her as she stared at the simple marker. She looked as if she had already been there for hours. When footsteps sounded on the gravel behind her, she did not turn. She only whispered, "I dont regret loving you."
Xeno stepped up beside her. For once, he carried nothing, no burden, no fury, no plan. His expression was somber as he bowed his head. "She would have laughed at this," he said quietly. "All of us standing here like we know how to behave."
Monica breathed out slowly. "She would have made fun of every one of us. Then she would have started an argument to see who cracked first," the Omega said. "Many didnt see that side of her. You were lucky that you got to see her laugh but even then it was when she was retired.:
Pamoen arrived next, her stride measured and steady, unique for an eleven year old. She paused when she saw Monica, then Xeno, and a short moment passed before she joined them at the graveside. Her voice was low when she spoke, not as low as an Alpha. "I was told it happened quickly."
"It did," Monica answered. "No pain. No fear. She was ready in ways none of us ever are."
Pamoen placed a small token at the foot of the grave: a smooth river stone marked with runes worn by years of touch.
Xeno swallowed hard.
A faint rustle sounded from farther down the path. Monica lifted her head and stiffened slightly. Zhiliary approached with a patient stride, hands folded behind her, eyes lowered in thought. She did not speak right away. She walked until she stood opposite Monica, then inclined her head respectfully.
"I thank you for allowing me to be here," Zhiliary said. "You and I did not stand on equal ground, but she taunt me many things about the pack that am I grateful for."
Monica studied her for a long moment before answering.
Zhiliary considered that. "She was perceptive." Xeno looked between them and laughed softly despite himself.
Zhiliary gave a single nod. "She was perceptive about everything."
Each of them had been shaped by Doureena in different ways, through conflict, through guidance, through the simple force of her personality, through love.
Sound was heard once more and when they looked up, Monica saw her three children along with their children, and even children's children walking her way. Monica smiled when she saw her kids.
Kara ran into Monica's arms, crying because after all, Doureena was her sire and even through war, Kara managed to come and say goodbye.
Abel and Derrick were present, Riley was not, for she had died a couple of years back at the start of the war. Still, her and Derrick's children were gorgeous.
Zhiliary walked to Kara, haven't seen her for a few years since she picked Pamoen up from their home in Faelock. Even so, Kara reached out and hugged her ex-mate. The Omega and Alpha hugging it out.
Kara held on to Zhiliary for a long moment before pulling back to wipe her tears. "She thinks Apex is going to lose this war," Kara murmured. "Guess she's entirely right."
Zhiliary gave her a harden look. "I will do my best to win this war. I am not done yet," the Alpha said.
Kara nodded and stepped aside so that Abel could approach the grave. Abel stood straighter than he had in years. He placed his hand over his heart before he knelt down beside the mound. "I tried to visit her more," he whispered. "I hope she knew that."
Monica went to him and rested her hand on his shoulder. "She knew. She always knew. She was proud of you."
Derrick guided the younger children forward, some too small to fully understand what a burial meant, others already carrying the quiet solemnity of wolves who had been raised inside a pack shaped by Doureena's influence.
One of the grandchildren, a boy no older than seven, looked up at Monica with wide eyes.
"Is she sleeping?" he asked.
Monica knelt down and cupped his cheek gently. "She is resting in a way that means she doesn't hurt anymore. We came to thank her for everything she did."
The child nodded thoughtfully and placed a small handful of flowers beside Pamoen's stone. Monica smiled at the way the colors brightened the base of the grave.
Zhiliary stood near Xeno as the family settled around them. "She would be pleased," Zhiliary murmured. "She wanted the next generations to grow without the burdens she carried."
Xeno rubbed at his jaw. "She carried enough for all of us."
Abel rose from the grave and joined the quiet circle forming around it. "Do we speak now?" he asked.
"Only if you want to," Monica replied. "This isn't a ceremony. It's a moment."
Pamoen moved closer to Monica, leaning lightly against the Omega's side. "Can I say something?" the young girl asked.
Monica nodded. "Go ahead."
Pamoen looked at the grave and took a steady breath. "I only knew her when she was retired. Everyone told me stories about how fierce she was and how she changed the pack. But when I met her, she was gentle. She always made time for me. She said I reminded her of the way she wanted to be when she was young." Pamoen paused and wiped her eyes. "I didn't understand that until now."
Monica wrapped an arm around her. "She adored you."
Kara interlaced her fingers with Derrick's while their children stood clustered just behind them. "Mom," Kara said softly, "do you want to say something to her before we leave?"
Monica took a few steps forward until she stood at the head of the grave once more. Every voice went quiet behind her. The breeze settled. The trees seemed to lean in.
"I loved you fiercely," Monica said, her voice firm but warm. "You fought for us even when we did not deserve it. You built a home out of a pack that was never broken. I owe you for every good thing that came after." She bowed her head. "Rest well, my love. You earned this peace long ago...but," she whispered. "Apex's reign is over, dear. It is time for us to split and move on."
When she stepped back, every member of her family moved closer, forming a wide circle around the grave. Zhiliary closed her eyes. Xeno lowered his head. Pamoen reached for Monica's hand again.
For a long, gentle moment, none of them spoke. They only stood together beneath the gray sky, united by an Alpha who had shaped every one of their lives.
For the worst for some, and the best for others.