Chapter 0340
Lucas
Funerals were pointless rituals.
Death comes for everyone eventually.
True goodbyes aren't spoken beside coffins.
These ceremonies aren't for the departed.
They're performances for those who believe in better places.
Athena clung to Alexander.
His hand gripped hers tightly as she leaned into him.
She appeared lost and uncertain.
Her eyes darted between the coffins and Alexander.
Perhaps she'd never experienced a funeral before.
Not everyone received such ceremonies.
In my judgment, Julian deserved no funeral.
Not after his treacherous actions.
The area overflowed with people.
Wolves stood packed shoulder to shoulder.
Lycans maintained their distance.
This affair didn't concern them.
They likely preferred remaining uninvolved.
Zachary stood on Alexander's other side.
He'd been silent since earlier.
His soul radiated confusion and frustration.
I watched and waited.
Wondering when he'd revert to his Rogue nature.
That was my true purpose here.
I expected him to break when Alexander left for Athena.
But he simply stood motionless.
Watching Isabella's blood seep into the ground.
Alexander cleared his throat.
He muttered a few ceremonial words.
He asked if anyone wished to speak.
All eyes turned to Zachary.
They expected heartfelt words about his mate.
He gave Alexander the slightest head shake.
Barely perceptible to human eyes.
The coffins lowered into the earth.
Beside their parents' graves.
Though after recent events, burning the bodies would've been wiser.
As people took turns tossing dirt, Hannah's jasmine scent hit me.
It invaded my senses so violently it caused physical pain.
Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted her nearby.
Her hands were shoved deep in her pockets.
She kicked a stone on the ground.
Her chestnut eyes flickered toward me before darting away.
At least she'd stopped overreacting to my presence.
Today, anyway.
Her emotions fluctuated more than a hungry pregnant woman's.
Her eyes snapped back to mine.
She thought I'd looked away.
They widened when she realized I'd caught her.
Pink flushed up her neck.
Spreading across her pale face.
She frantically scanned the area.
But unless she fled into the forest, nowhere offered hiding here.
Slipping from the funeral, I strode past her.
Heading into the forest before she attracted attention.
As expected, she followed me.
"What are you doing, Hannah?" I demanded when we were concealed.
"I wanted to say I'm not afraid of you anymore!"
"Really?" I suppressed a laugh.
Wondering how long she'd rehearsed that line.
"Alexander is burying his siblings, and you choose now for this declaration?"
"Yes!" she muttered with forced confidence.
"So you won't be throwing yourself into fires again?"
She dropped her gaze to the forest floor.
Shaking her head slowly.
"It hurts," she whispered.
Not referring to the fire.
"You're obsessed with this fantasy of yours."
"It's not fantasy, and you know it."
"I just want to know why you haven't rejected me?"
I remained silent as she shifted her weight.
She'd asked multiple times now.
Despite denying the mate bond, I never answered her question.
Why couldn't I speak the words?
She'd be free to find someone else.
The thought of another man touching her sickened me.
Enzo's mark still lingering on her neck was bad enough.
"What do you want from me, Hannah?"
"I don't know. You're constantly in my thoughts."
She frowned deeply.
"And not in a good way!"
I raised an eyebrow. "I shouldn't be. I'm a Hunter."
She leaned against a tree, crossing her arms beneath her breasts.
Avoiding my gaze.
"I've dealt with terrible men for years. You're not the first."
"And if I recall correctly, I shot one of them."
"So what changed? Where's this new confidence coming from?"
She scowled bitterly. "Why must you mock me?"
I kept my thoughts to myself.
"Do you think this is her game? Making us suffer to test our strength?"
"Who?"
"The Moon Goddess, obviously."
"I doubt the Moon Goddess controls your life."
"In fact, I don't believe in her."
Her jaw dropped. "You don't? But you're a Wolf."
I shook my head. "I believe in higher powers, but not her."
"If she existed, wouldn't it be sickening that she forces her creations to fight?"
"No, this reeks of conflict between higher powers."