Chapter 63 - Eternal Rest

From being completely exhausted and crushed I actually went to sleep for once. Paige was a real friend and subordinate. Paige stayed with me all night, she cried with me, helped me get in and out of the tub. She even went as far as dressing me in bed clothes and tucking me in. I found myself in a dream realm again. "Dahlia, please don't be sad, she loved you with everything she had" an unknown voice said. I turned around and saw the most beautiful wolf apparition. This creature was a sparkly gold and silver aura. It's as if I was staring at the actual source of light itself. "Who...who...are you?" Dahlia asked. "I'm so sorry, I should have introduced myself, I am Raven Aonani" the spirit replied. Dahlia thought on this before replying. "My...mother's wolf?" she asked unsure. "That is correct. I brought you here because I could feel your pain. I just wanted you to know, your mother passed on peacefully and not to blame yourself" Raven Aonani said. "It was so hard watching her die, I was naive to think she would be with me always" Dahlia said with a tear rolling off her cheek. "Dahlia, sweet child, through me, she will be with you until your last breath" the wolf spirit said. "Father will hold eternal rest ceremonies today. I don't think I can handle it. Besides my mother we lost a lot of good people" Dahlia said. "It's okay to be plagued with grief, but you must fulfill your duty as Luna. How is your father by the way?" The spirit asks. "He's staying strong for me, but I can see he's completely shattered. He said he will continue on for my sake" Dahlia stated. "That's good to hear, sometimes when a destined mate dies, their partner can follow close behind" the wolf spirit said. "I give you my word, I will take good care of my dad" Dahlia said. The wolf came up to me and sniffed my wrist. The wolf then went back to sitting in front of me. "A Blood Pact with a Vampire, can be a tricky thing. It's always one sided. Are you sure you made the right decision?" The wolf asked concerned. Dahlia thought on the question before answering. "I killed the witch and that completely crushed me too. I didn't want to kill anymore and Tobias is a misguided soul" Dahlia said. "I see. Just be careful and make sure to always follow who you really are and you shouldn't have a problem" the wolf replied. "Know, that if you ever miss your mother, you can come visit me anytime. I will always be by your side" The wolf said again. "How do I even live without her?" Dahlia asked fighting the urge to have another break down. "It will be hard at first, but know, you were her everything, her shining light. Take it one day at a time" The wolf said. "Thank you, Raven Aonani. What does Aonani mean?" Dahlia asked. "Sweet child it means, "Beautiful Light" the wolf replied. "Dahlia, it time to go back" the wolf replied. I knew all too well what this meant. I saw myself shoot out of the dream realm and back into my own head. My eyes jolted open. I looked to my Bay window and saw my trusted friend and guard Paige, sleeping soundly. It was still dark outside. I looked to my clock and the time read; 5:00 am. I stirred to get out, of the safety of my blanket burrito, unfortunately waking Paige up. "Luna!" Paige said rushing over. "Are you okay!?" Paige asked once again. "Yes, I'm just fine, thank you for taking care of me" Dahlia said. "It was my duty!" Paige said. "Let us get up and prepare for today" Dahlia said. "As you wish!" Paige said with a bow. Thinking, I had a headstart on the day I go to my closet and put on my favorite pair of sweats and Hoodie. I threw a basic tank on and then put my athletic shoes on. I go to leave the room and Jackson is standing guard as he always does. "Good morning Dahlia" Jackson says. "Come, we have a lot to do today" Dahlia said without emotion. I start my way down the hallway and I'm starting to dread seeing my once haven. I reach the entrance of the main kitchen. It's completely lifeless. All the lights are off, nothing is being made and the usual shenanigans of my parents is now something of the past. Even though the kitchen was the heart of our mornings, the sight of it completely lifeless makes me emotional. A flood of memories come washing over me. I can see my mom cooking in her workout clothes. I can see my dad annoying my mom per their normal routine. Despite the memories, I have tears start to form, but not one's of sadness but of gratefulness. Without my parents, I may not have ever knew love, or what a family was like. I smile and head to the front doors of the mansion. When I opened the doors to the mansion, I was taken by suprise. The beach was full of life. My father and the pack had been waiting for us. "Dahlia, we have been waiting for you" My father said. "Whats going on?" Dahlia asked. "While you slept, we cleaned up from the horrific battle and stared to work on funeral pyres" my dad said. "Would you like to help?" My father asked. "I would be honored" Dahlia said. Looking out onto the beach I could see 10 fire pyres were completed. "Which pyres do we have left?" Dahlia asked. "We have the 2 children and your mother's left to prepare" my dad said with sadness in his eyes. "Let's get too it" Dahlia said. Dahlia walked over to fallen trees and grabbed an axe. Dahlia started cutting branches off the trees they had knocked down for the funeral services. Tears were streaming down her face, so much loss, so much pain and grief. She made the pyres for the children herself. Such small beings with such a promising future, cut short because of a meaningless feud. "Luna" Jackson snapped me out of my thoughts. "What is it" Dahlia replied. "I don't want to upset you, but we have also prepared the witches body as well" Jackson with hesitation. Dahlia, was taken to a dark place for a second, she could feel her crimson eyes flash. Jackson by instinct took a few steps back. Dahlia, took a few calming breaths. "It's only proper we hold a ceremony for her as well" Dahlia replied. Jackson was visibly shocked by her response. He was definitely expecting her to say something else. "As you wish Luna" Jackson said. Dahlia, started to work on her mother's funeral pyre. I was lost in my task and I dint even realize the entire pack had snuck up on me. "Dahlia, let us help you" I heard my father speak. I dropped my axe and rush to give him a hug. I watched as the pack helped prepare my mother's funeral pyre. Each member placed their logs. They built it up higher than then rest. I also watched, as the owner of the flower shop came with her workers and scattered a vast variety of flowers on the pyres. When she got to my mother's, she took out white roses and placed them with great care on my mother's funeral pyre and then scattered her flower mixture on the rest of it. "Thank you" I told her. The shop owner bowed to me. "Looks like we are done here. Let's go clean up and get something to eat" my dad said. I nod my head in agreement. "I love you, dad" Dahlia says as she gives him a hug. Dahlia, her father and her guards head to the mansion doors, when they see endless bouquet of flowers placed outside the doors. "Whats all this" Dahlia asked. "The pack is showing you their respect and condolences, Dahlia" My father replied. "How sweet of them" Dahlia says. My father opens the brass doors to Ravenwood mansion and we walk inside.