Chapter 65 - Celebration Of Life

After accompanying our loved ones to their eternal rest, we shifted back, and got dressed again. As much as I miss my mother, I know this is exactly how she would want to be laid to rest. I'm glad I came to my senses and gave Caroline, a proper funeral as well. Perhaps, I should have made contact with Tobias and see if he wanted her remains but the reality is, she died on pack land and he left her behind. I hope when my time comes I'm not left alone like that. We make way to the tents that are waiting our arrival. I can smell heavenly aromas, punch my senses as I get closer. I can tell it was one of my mom's recipes. I walked over to the buffet to get a better look. Mom's Brisket, roasted seasoned potatoes, grilled asparagus marinated in garlic and bacon, homemade dinner rolls. The dessert bar, had a chocolate fountain, a variety of fruit to dip into it. Along with some assorted pies and cookies. I know my mom is gone, but this was like one final gift to me. The smell alone made me feel so much better. As my mother always used to say "Good food, brings people together". Yet, I doubt my mom really understood the gravity of how many people looked up to her and counted on her. I grabbed a plate and started to put food on my plate. I didn't even realize that the whole pack was watching me. I turned a blushed from embarrassment. "I'm sorry are we still waiting to eat?" Dahlia asked embarrassed. "Dahlia, You're the Luna, you always eat first" my father replied. "Oh" is all I managed to say. I guess I'm still getting used to all this Luna, protocol. I feel like an idiot staring off into space, making these poor hungry souls wait even longer. I rush and grab a little bit of everything as far as dinner foods. Desert can wait awhile. I sit down at the only round table there is and start to eat. The pack was silent up until this point, as soon as I took the first bite, chaos and commotion started back up as everyone gather in line to get dinner. You could hear laughter and the clash between plate and silverware. This made me smile. Now things weren't so awkward. While I was eating, my table started to fill up until there were no longer any vacancies. I was surrounded by my guards and my father sat next to me. It was sad Watching him eat. With every bite a tear fell from his cheek, as if each bite brought back a precious memory. "It will be okay dad" I whisper to him. He gave me a pretty unconvincing smile. I hated seeing him like this. "I promise dad, we will get through this and Raven Aonani, gives her love" Dahlia said. My dad looked shocked. "Raven Aonani?" my dad said. "Yes, when mom passed away, her spirit chose to reside within me, so that we will never be apart" Dahlia replied. My dad looked dumbfounded. "I didn't know your power was this strong" my dad said. "Honestly, we really don't know, what my true powers are aside from seeing spirit wolves" Dahlia said worried. "There was the concussion wave thing that happened when you transformed?" my dad said confused. "That was a reaction of the shield my dress contained. The moon goddess just projected it out" Dahlia said. "Moon goddess?" my dad asked. "Her spirit resides inside me as well. So do many other's. My spirit guardians have chosen to reside with in me too" Dahlia replied. "Dahlia, I forgot to mention, that now that you've had your transformation, we must visit the supernatural council" my dad said defeated. "That's fine and it can wait until we've recovered" Dahlia said bluntly. "Understood" my dad replied. "Let's grab some dessert and head to the camp fires" my dad said. "Camp fires?" Dahlia said confused. "We had some of the soilders prepare it while the services was held" my dad said. "Okay, sounds great!" Dahlia said. My dad and I, went to the dessert and we grabbed a slice of cherry pie, some cookies and some dipped fruit. "This way" my dad motioned. I followed him and I was taken back by what I saw. There were dozens of camp fires, surrounded by giant logs, in a square shape. "Let's go share some memories about mom" my dad said. "That sounds amazing" Dahlia replied. I follow my dad as he chooses the perfect spot. He lights the fire and we sit down. As soon as we sit down, more of the pack members follow suit. My royal guards come sit down with me and my dad and Lockhart also joins us. Such sadness, turned into laughter and smiles. I didn't realize my mother had touched touched many souls. I really enjoyed listening to everyone's stories. "My favorite memory of Emma, was when she held a grand meal for us, after the guard selection. It was the first time I felt like I really belonged and was part of something bigger" My guard Jared said. "I remember when Timmothy and I, were just lads, your mother used to come and babysit us, before they found you Luna. Boy did we give her a run for her money, but she somehow always tamed us. I remember she had to chase us down the pack main street because we ran out of the house naked" Jackson said. "I remember that day she came home, she was definitely worn out!" my dad chimed in. "That's hilarious" Dahlia said chuckling. Lockhart was the next to speak. "I remember, when my mother was on her death bed, Emma stayed by her side and nursed her. Emma and Diana were best friends. It was hard on her to watch her pass" Lockhart said. "I'm so sorry Lockhart" Dahlia replied. "It's okay, I was young when it happened. It's one of the reasons I became a doctor, Your mother" Lockhart said. Dahlia stayed silent as a tear fell from her cheek. My dad spoke next. "I remember when we were teenagers. Her father hated me, as I was a mere Beta's son and couldn't rival their pure blood. I snuck her out of Ravenwood mansion one night and we headed for Dravenwood, through the portal. Well, we ended up getting in trouble in Dravenwood and fought the cops off and ran back to Ravenwood. Her father never found out!" My dad said laughing. "You and mom got into a fight!" Dahlia said. "Well, it was mostly your mom, a nasty shapeshifter started stuff with your mom. At that time she had no control over her temper" My dad said laughing. "She was a real wild child. Reminded me a lot of you Dahlia" my dad said again. "That's hilarious, I would have never guessed" Dahlia said. "A lot happened between then and her becoming your mother. She grew up" My father replied. "I kind of wish I could hold that over her head right now" Dahlia said laughing. "Yeah, she wouldn't let you get away with that" My dad said wiggling his eyebrows. Dahlia spoke next. "I have 2 really amazing memories. I remember the day, you guys came and got me from the orphanage. I remember how beautiful she was and how tightly she hugged me. It had made everything I went through up until then, magically disappear and it just felt right. I also remember the first time she made me breakfast. It was the most magical thing ever. After that day it just became a ritual of breakfast shenanigans. I'll really miss that" Dahlia said with tears streaming down her face. My dad embraced me in a hug. "The path that lies ahead will be difficult but our future is so promising" My dad said. Little did Dahlia's father know, his comment was underestimated, the path that lied ahead, would test them in ways they could never imagine.