The gentle beat of drums filled the air, smell of salt in the air. Wolves from the neighboring packs had arrived to pay their respects to the Alpha’s second wife. She had been a sweet and gentle soul. Maria could still see her gentle smile as she patted her head. A memory so similar to what was before her. The familiar beat of the drums, the funeral beat. To help us say goodbye. An unexpected warmth clung to her. Strawberry blonde locks and hazel eyes,<span style="font-style: italic">Lola </span>. She hadn’t left her side since they came across the tragedy. Wolves sat on the edges of her pack, their presence as guards as we grieve.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Lola had kept pace with her as they returned to their village. The two guards close on their heels, but as they returned to the familiar smells and sounds of home. Something seemed off. As they rounded the Alpha’s home, the familiar smell of those they knew and loved inside. Both stealing a side glance. Anger still in both the female's eyes. A growl echoed behind Maria, her blue gaze switching quickly, but as she watched the guards muzzle understanding poured in. She could smell something off. As she shifted moving round the corner of the home the sounds of broken and glass and crying filled the space, quickly she shifted the others stopping right before the last corner. But as her bare feet moved her hackles raised as the unfamiliar scent grew stronger. Unease growing in the pit of her stomach. The need to know pushing her forward. The crackle of the glass under her feet filling the erie space. The metallic smell of blood splattered the wall and pooled along the green grass. Chloe’s pale and lifeless eyes stared up at her. <br/><br/>Disbelief and sadness pushed her to her knees as she stifled her crying, unbidden tears flowing down her eyes. Slowly as the grief began to sink in, so did her surroundings. Jack’s was beside his second wife, his bloody hands wiping stray hairs from her face delicately. Owen’s body was sick and twisted and broken deep seeded fear grew in her. Finally her heartbeat with a tiny sound of relief at seeing Caleb. But his gaze was fixed on his mother and the twisted scene that laid before them. She couldn’t help the relief as she scanned him, only the smear of blood coated him. He seemed to unharmed, for the most part. The shuffling feet behind her quickly had her turning and grabbing hold of who ever walked forward. Luckily it was only strawberry locks she held. Lola’s eyes caught sight of the scene and her screams filled and echoed within the space. <br/><br/>Regret and sadness gripped Maria as she pulled Lola from the scene. She could hear mumbling but she ignored it holding her shaking form. A growl rumbling from behind her as she tried to gather Lola up, keeping ehr from the Alpha’s. Even Beta’s had to be wary at this moment. There Alpha had lost his mate and the pack as a whole would mourn her but it would his cry that would signal their grief.</span><br/><br/>The sky was heavy with greys and blacks as they skirted by, the rumble of thunder in the distance. Rain would come soon. Lola and Maria clung to one another tears streaming down there face. The pack behind the Betas of the pack as they stood closest to the Alpha’s still a great length away. Father and son  stood at the second tree the father had placed for his wife. A blood red ribbon danced in the winds. Soon the rain would come and they would still stay guard till there Alpha was ready.<br/><br/>One by one each member that could shifted their heads lowered as they looked upward at the dark skies. There Apha’s cry breaking the heart breaking silence, the howl filling their land. Calebs sounded next, and like that each pack member joined in as they bid farewell to the pack mother.<span style="font-style: italic">Forever may you run free</span>, was all Maria could think as she wept with her pack at their loss.<br/><br/>--<br/><br/>Lola had wanted to rip out Maria’s throat after she had landed that hit. She couldn’t help the heat and anger that coursed through her as she had looked in the girl's eyes. But even as she had spoken to her with venemon in her voice Maria had responded but had loosened her hold and spoke.<span style="font-style: italic">”But I need you”</span>it had sent a sudden winter in her bones cooling her flesh. Anger still ran rampant but she would comply with The Beta’s words. They had walked in silence and the occasional warning growl when they looked at one another, but that to be expected. But as they arrived back home and Maria had wandered off. She had felt empty and confused, and not wanting to be left behind rounded the corner. But all that greeted her was a scene of horrors. Blood covered her packmates, and there Maria was holding her as she screamed and shook. Only the Alpha’s warning growl quieting her. Caleb was nearby  but Maria refused to release. She had cried and batted at her begging her to release her. But she never said a word, just kept her slender hands securely on her.<br/><br/>After the incident Lola had decided to remain with Maria. Maria never questioned or spoke much only offered her food and clothes as they bathed and cleaned. The pack would hold a ceremony for their fallen mother. Lola couldn’t find it in her to argue or say anything to Maria only to remain at her comforting side. The sickening thought making her stomach turn as the thought she sought something from Maria. But as the ceremony proceeded. The neighboring packs filling in taking their respective places. She was technically breaking rank, but Maria had growled in irritation when her father or someone else tried to send Lola away. The feeling of thankfulness blossomed in her. But even as they sky darkened and the clouds cried, there calls filling the mountains. They let the world know we have lost one of our own but we are strong we are one.