11. Kaylee
11
Kaylee
Looking down at the clipboard in my hand, I sigh and close my eyes. It has been two hours since we agreed to help Silver Paw, and I am already feeling the toll of what was left from the attack. Miss Amelia gathered the able-bodied, with the help of Marco, and asked for a report of damages, wounded, and the deceased. Sadly, we were met with hostilities until Marco vouched for us, stating that Alpha Liam was the one to invite us to join the pack and that we were here to help now.
After that, we gathered the reports needed, but it was clear that without leadership, only the bare minimum had been done. Miss Amelia went into action, telling the she-wolves to gather all the pups into the school, to keep them away from the site. Anyone sixteen to eighteen were tasked to go to the pack hospital, to help with cleaning and dressing the wounded.
I volunteered to help organize the dead so the funeral arrangements could be made right away, while David volunteered to help survey the damaged buildings. It turns out that while Marco was confirming our information, two of his men were organizing wolves to put out the fires, so that became one less thing for us to worry about.
Now, after the initial role organization, I am left standing in front of rows of dead bodies. Each one is covered with a white sheet, a tag on their left big toe being the only indication of who they were. I have a team of four hunters helping me, these wolves used to carrying dead bodies when they hunt prey and bring it back to their pack, but I can see the toll that carrying their own dead has taken on them.
“Why don’t we take a break?” I suggest as an omega comes towards us with a basket in hand. I can smell the scent of food, and could desperately use the light meal. The wolves agree, and we walk a distance away from the bodies, meeting the omega and thanking him for the meal. Sandwiches and water greet me when I open up the basket, and I hand each wolf a bottle of water and two sandwiches.
The meal is spent in silence as I survey the area. Most of the debris has been cleaned up by David and the small team he has, while Marco is left to direct people to the various locations we have set up. If their home was destroyed by the fire, they are given temporary residence at the guest house for visiting packs. If they had minor wounds, they are told to wait at the pack house where minor wounds are being dressed. Any wounds that need immediate attention are sent to the pack hospital. Finally, in front of the pack church, the bodies of the deceased were being brought to me by the four men I have helping me. They would tell me the person’s name and pack rank. From there, I would create a tag for them, and tie it to their toe before the body is added to our growing pile.
The only bright side I can see is that no one is under the age of eighteen.
“I just did a sweep of the land. It seems you have gathered everyone who was killed,” Marco’s voice sounds from behind me, making me jump. I glare at the men who snicker, before turning to Marco.
“Does that mean we can do a funeral pyre soon?” I ask, feeling relieved. I am ready to send these wolves’ souls to the goddess.
“We can. I have men gathering materials for it as we speak.” I thank Marco and turn to see the same relief I feel on the others’ faces. I give them all a reassuring smile and tell them that if they want to go help with something else for now, they can. The four wolves thank me before they finish their sandwiches and take off. I have a feeling they will be going to help with gathering materials for the funeral pyre.
“You surprised me when you offered to help with the dead,” Marco states when it is just the two of us. I sigh, looking towards the many white sheets that line the ground. Each one hides a body underneath it.
“It’s the duty of a beta to help take care of the dead. I am just doing what I am born to do,” I answer with a shrug, looking away from the scene before me to face Marco.
“Well, I am glad you stepped in. You don’t look more than twenty at best.”
“Actually, I am eighteen. My birthday was ten days ago.” I try to smile as I correct the man before me, but the pain of the rejection causes me to wince. I can feel the dam cracking. Feel the pain leaking through bit by bit.
“Happy belated birthday then. Have you met your mate?” Marco asks cheerily. His question though has my heart shattering, and the tears I have held in since being rejected and leaving Oak Fur finally fall. I find it hard to breathe as I focus on pushing back the pain. I can’t cry. Not now. Silver Paw needs my help.
“He rejected me,” I finally manage to whimper, looking up at Marco. A look of shock that then turns into anger crosses his face. He closes his eyes and takes deep breaths as well, and I wait in silence until he opens his eyes and sends me a sympathetic smile.
“Mine is engaged to another man. She told me I was too weak for her,” he admits sadly. For some reason, I laugh, and tell him how mine is also engaged to someone else, but he never told me any of that as we grew up together. I then learn that Marco is twenty-five, and that if I need a friend to talk to, he is here for me. I thank him, and ask him to stay with me until it is time to release the souls of the fallen Silver Paw wolves with the funeral pyre.
As the sun sets, I ask Marco about Silver Paw, and what their training regime is about. He groans and goes into detail that although the alpha and Luna were nice and great leaders, they sucked at planning any form of training, hunting, and patrolling schedules. That no matter what Marco did, no one would listen because the alpha and Luna were laid back.
I frown, thinking about how we have our work cut out for ourselves, as Silver Paw only has one week starting tomorrow to rebuild and find a new alpha and Luna. It will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I look forward to.
As he and I begin discussing ideas for a schedule to start the day after tomorrow, a group of wolves slowly file in with wood and pine branches in their hands. Marco excuses himself from me, and I watch as the red-headed wolf begins to organize where to build the pyre. It will need to be large enough to fit the thirty-five wolves that passed away, and in a place that it won’t set fire to the remaining buildings.
Within an hour, the pyre is built and the pack gathers. Everyone is here, from the youngest pup to the three remaining elders. Marco is the one to lead the funeral, saying a prayer that the souls of the dead find their way to the Moon Goddess’ side and are one day able to reincarnate, before he lights the pyre. The flame grows as it consumes the bodies, and I send a silent prayer of my own, wishing for those who have passed to guard the happiness and survival of Silver Paw.