We’re all gathered together today and have vowed to meet at this site every year on the anniversary—not of her death, but of her finally being laid to rest.
“I miss you every day,” I tell the headstone engraved with my sister’s name and the short span of years that represent her life. It says something else too:Live each day as if it’s your last.
It’s a lesson I’ve learned well, although I hate the price we all paid to gain it.
My sisters are waiting in the garden with their mates and mine as I catch Jade up on all she’s missed since she left us.
“I finished Drakewood at the top of my class and started taking classes at Clearwater University. I haven’t decided what I want to be yet, so I’m just taking general studies at the moment. I kind of want something that’s all my own, if that makes sense. Theoden is a professor, of course, and now he’s on a tenure track, which gives us a lot more security. Beau’s doing a biology degree with the hopes of becoming a small animal veterinarian one day. And Gabe is double-majoring in pre-law and political science. Always the overachiever, that one.”
The wind blows through the willow, and somehow I just know Jade is listening.
“With Mother dead and your deaths ruled as an accident, there was no reason to keep me at Drakewood anymore. But I wanted to stay. Even though most people get sent to the academy as a punishment, I found it incredibly helpful. I wasn’t raised as an alpha, and I had a lot to learn so I could be a productive member of society and my pack. You would really like them, Jade. Beau especially. He’s a smart-ass, just like you.”
I smile and swipe at the tears that have begun to fall.
“We named our pack after you. Pack Jade. That way no one will ever forget. Your life was short, but it meant something. We just got the paperwork back last month. It’s official. Pack Jade.”
“Are you ready for us?” Theoden calls from just beyond the natural canopy that enshrouds me.
I wipe at both my cheeks again. “There’s someone very special I’d like you to meet,” I tell my sister and then call out to Theo to let him know we’re ready.
My handsome omega joins us, carrying our newborn daughter in his arms. I settle myself on the ground before Jade and take the adorable pink bundle from Theo.
He bends down to kiss me on the cheek before rejoining the others, letting me keep this moment to myself for a little bit longer.
“This is Bianca.” I tip my daughter’s squished face toward Jade’s stone. She coos in her sleep, but doesn’t wake.
“We named her after Gabe’s mother,” I continue, keeping my eyes on my girl as I speak. “She wasn’t anything like ours. She was a good woman who died too soon, kind of like you.” I pause, then add, “We call her Bunny for short.”
“And Jade, I love being a mom. It’s so weird, since we had such a bad time with our mother. But it’s healing having this relationship, getting to experience how it should be. Even if it’s from the other side. I’m sorry you never got to experience it.”
Bunny grunts and shifts in my arm before opening her eyes and blinking at the dim light that reaches us through the branches. “Why, hello there. I was just telling your Aunt Jade how much I love being your mommy.”
And it’s true. I thought Theoden, Beau, and Gabe were all I needed in my world, but then our daughter came along. My heart overflows with love each and every day. As our omega, Theoden would generally be the caregiver for our children, but we’re all so obsessed with her, we share the responsibilities equally. It’s not the traditional way of doing things, but we’ve never been the traditional kind.
I choke back a sob and turn back toward the tree. “God, Jade, I wish you could hold her. I wish you could watch her grow up with me. Another secret wish? I hope she’s an alpha like me. There’s nothing wrong with being an omega, of course, but just… My life has been fucking great this last year, despite the rough start. I hope that’s okay to say. I know you’d want me to be happy, and I hope wherever you are now, you’re happy, too.”
A twitch in the grass draws my attention just in time to see a large green grasshopper jump onto Jade’s stone. I laugh at the unexpected sign that she’s listening. Of course she wouldn’t send something serene like a butterfly to comfort me. Nope, I get a grasshopper.
I shift Bunny so she can see our insect visitor. If she notices him, she doesn’t react.
My eyes remain on the grasshopper until it grows bored and hops away. “I know the others are all anxious to speak with you,” I tell my sister with a sigh. “But I will be back to say goodbye before we go. Your pack—Vette and the others—they’re good men. Kind of scary, but good. They’ve been wonderful hosts for our stay, and said whenever we want to come see you, we’re welcome in their home. Your home.”
“Hurry up in there,” Raven calls. “I have some juicy gossip to share with Jade.”
I chuckle under my breath. “I guess that’s my cue.” I bend forward and press my lips to Jade’s stone, then awkwardly rise to my feet with my daughter in my arms. I push the willow branches aside to find my guys waiting.
One by one, they wrap me in hugs, brushing away any lingering tears.
“How did it go?” Beau asks as I deliver Bunny to his waiting arms.
“I think she was listening,” I murmur with a sad smile. “And that she’s at peace now.”
Gabe takes me in his arms and strokes my hair, saying nothing. I didn’t realize how much I needed this until I was under that tree and face to face with the earthly remains of my big sister. Mother is buried too, apparently. The dads sprung for a fancy mausoleum at the cemetery closest to their home, but I haven’t been back to visit them or her grave.
Pack Fernando took care of everything, eager to help cover up both deaths when Jade’s pack offered them a handsome payday. The official story is that Jade and our mother died in a car crash together. Mother was drunk and swerved off the road, crashing and killing them both instantly. As it turns out, almost anyone can be bribed for the right sum, which means that the story was accepted without too many follow-up questions.
All the people who need to know the truth already do, and nobody else cares. Not really.