As the first wisps of light feathered across the sky, Talon wiped his brow and left his brothers as they stood by the large pile of wood at the same spot he’d married his mate. Harold was already waiting for him to arrive. Both men entered the room where the healer had prepared his mother. Talon swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat when he turned the corner and saw his mother wrapped in white gauze, her face forever hidden.
“Let it be done,” he whispered as he picked up her lifeless body, marching across the pride’s land.
The gathered pride parted as Talon marched forward, a lone tear falling from his right eye. As his Guardians stepped aside, Liberty stood there next to his brothers, holding Ember as she slept. His mate’s tears flowed more as Talon placed his mother upon the pyre. There were no words as his brothers joined him; all three bowing their heads. The ancient chant of their ancestors began as Talon, Kye, and Noah took the lighters from their pockets, striking a flame and touching it to the fuel-soaked wood at the base.
“Mother,” all three sons cried as the fire engulfed her body.
Ranger leaned against the wall, watching as Evie sparred with Kye. They’d come to an agreement over the past two weeks. Kye had finally seen things through his girlfriend’s eyes. Ranger was proud of the young female. She’d overcome so much, but he also knew she had a long way to go.
He doubted she’d try out for a spot as a Guardian. The males wouldn’t even fight her, and Talon would call the fight if the males didn’t even try to best her. It wasn’t fair for the females to be unable to protect the pride. Thousands of years had conditioned the males to care for them as if they were fragile objects, breaking from the slightest touch. Ranger laughed to himself. If the elders could see the females now, they’d be changing the rules for sure.
“That female will be a voice of change in our world,” Talon said as he stepped up to Ranger’s side.
“That she will,” he agreed.
“I’m glad my brother sees that, too,” the alpha chuckled. “He’s rather stubborn.”
“Yes, he is,” Ranger agreed. “What brings you out to the dorms, alpha?”
“I wanted to talk to you about a new pride member,” Talon began. “I received a call from Kraven. He is sending his sister to us and asked if we would take her in.”
“Is everything okay?” Ranger frowned. Kraven was an honorable male, and for him to send his sister to the Shaw pride, something must have happened in North Carolina.
“Not sure,” Talon sighed. “I told him to send her here with no questions asked. He said she would be here by this time next week.”
“We will keep her safe,” Ranger vowed. “If that’s what must be done.”
“I have a feeling we will be hearing more from Kraven in the near future.” Talon nodded and stepped out of the doorway, turning on his heel and disappearing around the side of the building.
The End…