Chapter 169
Rebecca’s POV
The next morning arrived too quickly, pale sunlight filtering through the hospital blinds as I stood before the mirror, adjusting the simple black dress Diana had brought for me. My fingers trembled slightly as I secured my mother’s pearl earrings–a gift on my twenty–first birthday, now being worn to my brother’s funeral.
My brother’s funeral. The words still felt surreal, Impossible. Jason had been troubled, difficult, and often selfish, but he was still my brother. And now he was gone, taken by violence meant to punish me.
I pressed a hand to my stomach, thinking of the tiny life growing there. My child would never know their uncle–just one of many family connections that had been severed by my involvement with the wolf world. I couldn’t help wondering what other prices I would pay for this life I was choosing.
A gentle knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Dominic entered, handsome and somber in a perfectly tailored black suit. His blue eyes immediately found mine in the mirror, concern evident in their depths.
“Are you sure you’re up to this?” he asked, moving to stand behind me. His hands settled lightly on my shoulders, steadying and warm.
I nodded, not trusting my voice. Dr. Morgan had cleared me to attend the funeral, with strict instructions to return Immediately if I felt any pain or dizziness. The baby was stable for now, but still at risk. I hadn’t told anyone about my morning sickness episode earlier–I couldn’t bear to be kept from saying goodbye to Jason.
“My father texted, I finally said, turning to face Dominic. “He’s asked me to come directly to the cemetery. My mother… I swallowed hard. “She’s not handling this well.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “Of course. Raymond is waiting with the car whenever you’re ready.”
I gathered my purse and phone, pausing at the door. “I haven’t heard back from her at all,” I admitted quietly. “Not even a reply to my condolence message.”
“Grief affects people differently, Dominic said diplomatically, though I could tell from the protective way he stood closer to me that he was concerned about how my mother might react.
The drive to the cemetery was quiet, my anxiety building with each mile. I’d messaged my father that I was bringing Dominic, but I hadn’t received confirmation that my mother knew or approved. Her last words to me in the hospital -blaming me for Jason’s death–echoed in my mind.
As Raymond pulled the car through the cemetery gates, I could see a small gathering of people near a fresh grave site. My father stood with his head bowed, my mother beside him in a black veil that obscured her face. Several of Jason’s friends clustered nearby, along with aunts and uncles I rarely saw anymore.
“You can still change your mind,” Dominic said softly, his hand covering mine. “No one would blame you.”
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Chapter 169
I shook my head. “I need to be here. He was my brother.”
We exited the car and walked slowly toward the gathering. I felt the weight of stares as people noticed us approaching–noticed Dominic’s commanding presence beside me, his band supportively at the small of my back. Whispers rippled through the small crowd.
My father looked up, relief crossing his tired face when he saw me. He stepped away from my mother to meet us, embracing me carefully.
“Thank you for coming,” he murmured against my hair. “She’s… not well. Be prepared.”
I nodded against his shoulder, then pulled back to introduce Dominic. “Dad, this is Dominic Sterling, my-“I hesitated, not sure how to describe our complex relationship.
–
“Her partner, Dominic supplied smoothly, extending his hand. I’m very sorry for your loss, Mr. Brown.”
My father shook his hand, his eyes evaluating Dominic with the shrewd awareness. “Thank you for being here for her,” he said simply.
I took a deep breath and turned toward where my mother stood, still as a statue beside Jason’s casket. The closer ! got, the more I could feel Dominic tensing beside me, as though anticipating danger.
“Mom,” I said quietly as I approached her. “I’m so sorry about Jason.”
For a
long moment, she didn’t react at all. Then, slowly, she raised her veil. Her face was gaunt, eyes red–rimmed and hostile. “You have nerve showing up here,” she said, her voice carrying in the quiet cemetery.
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