Aro's POV
He had finally accepted me. I could not help but smile when Zach said those fateful words to me, but my smile faded and I paled knowing that I had to go home. It was past my curfew, and I knew what waited for me once I got into the house. Cain would be waiting for me, because I was late. Zach sensed my fearful emotions. He nudged me and told me " We will go and pack your things together and I will protect you while you are packing" He gave a smile that he was telling me the truth. I smiled back and reached my arms around his neck as I hugged my mate sending him a silent thank you.
Ash and her mate Derek also came along to help me pack and protect me. I was glad to have such good people helping me. Once I gave Zach directions to get to my parents home. I felt like I could relax a bit, but that soon evaporated when I saw my home in the windshield getting closer. I noticed someone sitting on the steps. It was Cain holding something big. I held back a scream of agony in the car. Ash knew what was wrong and tried to relax me, but nothing could relax me. My wonderful best friend was dead. He had killed Ren when I did not come home in time. Zach grabbed me as I cried about my dog. I could sense the anger radiating off him. I finally stopped crying enough to get out of the car, and grab Ren's dead body. Cain had this nasty grin all over his face when I snatched Ren from his grasp. Zach and the others were close behind me as I cared Ren to my room so I could pack my things up. Once I was in my room I collapsed on my bed again in sadness as I held Ren to my chest.
" I am so sorry Ren, I should have come straight home. This is all my fault I should have never left you today." I kept whispering those words over and over again.
Zach, Ash, and Derek started to pack everything and within a few hours they had everything packed and in the car. I took Ren with so I could bury him in a better place then where he died. Zach helped me get into the car, and he helped put Ren back on my lap. I cradled Ren to my chest and silently wept and remembered all the good times we had together. Ren was seven years old I knew he was getting old, but I knew he did not die of old age. He died due to a broken neck.
We drove for an hour or so. I really was not paying attention until Ash gasped, and nudged me in the front seat. I looked up to see what was so magnificent. I could not help but gasp too. We were parked right in front of a big mansion. The mansion was cream colored with so many windows. Lights lit up the whole building like a Christmas tree. I looked over at Zach his eyes were twinkling with pride. We all started to get out of the car. I was still mesmerized by the size Zach's home.
By the time I was done looking they had everything out of the car, and were starting to bring my stuff into the big house. I looked down at Ren in my arms, and wished he could have seen his new home. Zach nudged me a nodded his head to follow him so I left Ash and Derek at the car. As Zach and I were walking I had noticed that we were going into the wood behind the house.
"Um.... Zach where are you taking me?" I asked with a confused look.
"I'm taking you to a secret place... Where you can bury Ren is that okay with you." He told me behind a sad smile.
I only nodded and continued to follow him deeper into the forest. As we walked I noticed the terrain was getting more rocky and wondered where we were going. I had to stop a few times to adjust Ren and take a break from walking. Zach was very patient with me which I was really glad about. Zach stopped a few feet in front of me wondering if we had made it to our destination.
"Would you please close your eyes and trust me" I gazed at me with love and hopefulness.
I nodded and closed my eyes as he guided me the rest of the way to his secret spot. A few minutes later we had stopped again. By this point Zach had moved behind me for some reason. I waited with my eyes closed for the okay to open them. It seemed Zach was waiting for the perfect moment, and then It happened.
"Open your eyes now princess" He whispered into my ear.
I opened my eyes only to hold back tears. We were on an edge of a cliff looking out at The Rocky Mountains in the distance with a beautiful sunset. It was like an oil painting come to life. I wished for my camera at this time so I could always savor this beautiful view. I looked away from the view and noticed a hole in the ground a couple of feet from the edge. Zach did not say anything as I looked back at the view with tears in my eyes.
"You want to have me bury Ren out here in your secret place" I asked with realization as to why the hole was there with a wooden cross that had Ren carved into it. Zach nodded and helped me place Ren into his forever home of peace. Everything was starting to make sense this would be Ren's heaven and resting place.
"I wanted you to have a beautiful place to come to when you need a break and relive your time with Ren. I really wanted to share my secret with you. So you can always have a place that will give you peace and solitude." He explained and I started to cry as we both grabbed dirt and filled in the hole of my best friend.