Rising Sun (The Awakened Trilogy Book 3)

by Amanda Carol

  Walking through plane, I see the hurt in everyone’s eyes. Thanks to Declan, their wounds were all healed, but they go much deeper than the skin. I’ve seen firsthand how strong this pack is, and I know we can get through this, but it’s going to take time. Although, when Sloane and Blaine were killed…well, I thought I’d known loss, but as an Alpha, the anger and pain is different.

  I felt it.

  I felt each pack member lose their life, and, in a way, I felt the witches too. I even felt Luna’s death, and I didn’t even know it was Luna until Aria told me what happened up there on that mountain. Feeling the pain of losing a pack member didn’t even come close to almost losing Bennett and Aria. Seeing him lying there on the ground, unmoving, scared me in more ways than I can count. I felt him slipping away, and for a brief moment, I thought I would be bringing him home wrapped up in a sheet like the rest of them. I’m forever indebted to Declan for saving the life of my best friend.

  When Clyde pushed me out of the way, I lost my balance and tripped. The moment I fell was the moment I watched Aria close her eyes and tell me she loved me. My girl and my best friend were seconds away from inevitable death, but Clyde jumped in front of them just as the Titan’s hand came down. He sacrificed himself to save the two most important people in my life.

  Ares shimmered in and punched a hole in the Titan’s chest, then shimmered back out. I have no idea what happened to the Titans or where they went, but in that moment, I didn’t care. All I could think about was getting to Aria and staying out of Declan’s way so he could help Bennett.

  Speaking of whom, I search the plane and finally spot him sitting alone in the back, looking out the window. He’s cleaned himself off and changed his clothes, and he finally looks more like himself. I walk over and take the seat across from him. He brings a tumbler up to his lips, and I know him well enough to know that it’s bourbon in that glass.

  He holds it out to me when he notices me sitting there.

  I wave him off.

  I close my eyes, resting my head on the back of the seat, and we sit in silence until the plane takes off.

  “I think I want to take Clyde’s body back to Russia,” he finally says.

  I open my eyes and lift my head. He’s staring down at his glass, deep in thought.

  “He’s got a son, and I’d like to pay my respects. He saved my life, along with someone I care about. The least I can do is escort him home.” He takes another sip of bourbon and looks back out the window.

  “Do what you need to do, brother,” I answer. “Do you want us to come with you?”

  He knows that when I say “us,” I mean me and Aria.

  He shakes his head. “Nah. I’m good with going alone.”

  I nod. “Okay. Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find us.”

  That’s the end of the conversation. Bennett knows that he can always come to me if and when he needs to talk. It usually takes him a few days to come to me after something happens to him, though. And it might be even longer this time. I can tell that losing a friend and almost losing his own life really affected him. Shit, it’s affected me too.

  I’m lost in my own thoughts when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, but can we meet with you?” Khari asks softly.

  “Sure,” I reply, getting up from my seat.

  The thing I love about this plane is that it’s not your typical plane. Gunner lives in style, and I expected nothing less from him. He has a built-in conference room on his plane. I mean, it’s not large, but it holds the seven of us perfectly. As I’m walking back, I spot Aria sitting with Abby and Zayne. Abby needs Aria more than I do, so I let them be.

  I shut the door behind me and glance around the room. It looks like I’m not the only one who felt the loss.

  “Before we start, I just want to thank each and every one of you for coming out here and giving us your courage and strength. But I know that it didn’t come without a price. I’m honored to have fought side-by-side with such strong warriors, and over the last few months, I’ve come to think of you as family,” I tell them. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I want you all to know that the city of New Orleans will always be your home, and whatever you decide to do, we will welcome you back with open arms.”

  “You are a remarkable leader, Hunter,” Khari comes over to firmly shake my hand. “I would gladly follow you into a battle again.” He leans in close, giving me a small smile. “Just hopefully not anytime soon.”

  I chuckle softly. “Noted.”

  “I will be going back to Africa, to be with my pack. We still have a vampire problem down there,” Khari explains.

  I nod my understanding.

  “I wish I could say that Australia doesn’t have any vampires, but unfortunately, we still do.” Oliver comes over to shake my hand next. “It was my honor to fight alongside you, brother.”

  “Thanks, man.” I shake his hand firmly.

  “I’m headed back up to North Dakota too, but I will be coming down to visit soon.” Caleb walks over, placing a hand on my shoulder. “My home is your home. Come up sometime and we’ll hit the slopes. Maybe grab a beer.”

  “Sounds good, man,” I tell him, pulling him in for a hug.

  “I’m making arrangements to stay,” Haku says, looking over at me.

  He doesn’t say any more, and I already know why. He’s staying for my mom, and while it’s slightly weird, I’m perfectly fine with it. I think they both need each other.

  Gunner is sitting in the chair at the table, his fingers twirling a tumbler around in circles. “I’ll probably stay a few more days and explore the city before heading back up to New York. Actually, I’d like to check out that shop that belonged to the parents of that little girl. I think I want to buy it, and keep it open.”

  My heart skips a beat. “You don’t have to do that.”

  Honestly, I hadn’t even thought of that. It was one of those things I was going to deal with when we got back.

  Gunner smiles. “I know, but I want to keep it in the family. Plus I’ve been thinking about opening something up down there anyway. I just didn’t know what. Why not keep something open that’s already there? I’ll own it, but most of that profit will go into a trust fund for Maggie. When she’s older, she can buy it from me, or she can sell it. The decision will be hers.”

  I’m at a loss for words.

  “Thank you,” I choke out.

  He waves me off.

  “Hunter, you are the greatest leader that any of these packs have seen in decades. We are the ones who are proud to have stood by your side and let you lead us. There has never been an Alpha that is as wise, compassionate, and strong as you are, and I don’t think there ever will be another leader like you. You and Aria both lead with dignity and grace, and you’ve changed the game when it comes to leadership,” Caleb tells me. “You’re our Alpha now, and we would like to propose something to you.”

  I’m standing here speechless at their words, feeling a little shocked and grateful, and wishing that I had my dad here to witness this moment. He would be proud, and he should be, because I learned everything from him.

  I clear my throat, getting my emotions under control. “Okay, I’m listening.”

  “We are stepping down from our official titles as Alpha. We know that Bennett and Knox are your Betas here in New Orleans, but we would like to be your Betas for the packs we hail from. Everything we do will be run by you first, and we will help you manage the packs around the world,” he offers.

  I glance around the room to find each shifter smiling at me.

  I let out a breath, running a hand through my hair. “I... I don’t… Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” they all say in staggered unison.

  “I don’t know what to say,” I admit.

  “Typically, most people answer with a yes, mate,” Oliver jokes, and everyone chuckles.

  I place my hands on my hips and look at ground to gather my thoughts. />
  After a moment, I lift my head. “I have one condition.”

  “Name it,” Khari responds.

  “Run with me and the rest of the pack in the Moon Run.”

  “We wouldn’t miss it,” Gunner replies.

  I smile. “Good. Then I accept your offer.”

  The drive back to the Compound is a somber one. We lost five wolves: Sloane and Blaine from the New Orleans pack, Mary-Beth and Cole from Caleb’s pack, and Clyde. We also lost ten witches: Sophie, Jane, Maxwell, Celeste, Florence, Owen, Vera, Luther, Stella, and Ephraim. I didn’t know any of them all that well except for Clyde and Sloane, and even though Blaine was a jerk, he didn’t deserve what happened to him. None of them did.

  I knew going into this that we were going to lose good people, because war doesn’t take any prisoners. But it still hurts just the same.

  The hardest death for me was Luna. Even though she made some mistakes, she gave up her life to save us, to save Abby. Her act of selflessness was felt throughout the entire pack and we will always remember her for that, instead of her mistake. I know I will remember her as the woman who took us in, the woman who was always like a second mother to me, the woman who I knew I could turn to since I thought I lost my mom. Abby and I both mourned her loss on the plane ride home, crying and clinging to each other. When we weren’t crying, we were reminiscing about all of the good memories we all had together growing up, including ones that involved my parents.

  We pull into the driveway, and when we get closer to the barn, Ciera, Maggie, and our friends are all standing up and holding signs welcoming us home. Declan is the first out of the car, and he walks over to Ciera, pulling her into a tight embrace. He kisses her, then looks down at Maggie, who is so excited to see him. He picks her up, and she wraps her arms around him. Ciera leans into them and they share a moment together.

  Hunter grabs my hand and kisses it, and together, we get out of the car. We see our moms standing together, and we both go over to them. My mom pulls me in and envelopes me in a hug, and I sink into her. Her warmth, her scent of roses, and the loving embrace only a mother can give causes me to start crying softly.

  I missed her.

  I missed her so damn much.

  And now she’s here, but Luna is not.

  I see Abby walking by, and I lift my head from my mom’s shoulder and hold my hand out to her. Tears swell in her eyes as she leaves Zayne and comes running over to us. My mom lets go of me with one arm so she can pull Abby in, and we both hold onto her tightly. I don’t have to tell my mom what happened; in her heart, she already knows. And I know Hunter used the link to tell his mother, so she probably also told my mom. She holds on to the both of us as we mourn the loss of a dear friend and mother.

  “I’m here for you, Abby,” my mom whispers.

  Abby hugs us tighter. What Luna was to me, my mom was to Abby. They had a special bond too, so I know those words mean the world to my best friend.

  “There’s something I have to do with Hunter,” I whisper, pulling away from them. “Once I’m finished, I’ll come get you and we can set up Luna’s memorial.”

  Abby nods, and I step away as Zayne walks over.

  My gaze locks with Hunter’s and we both start walking toward each other. He cups both of my cheeks, wiping my tears away with his thumbs, then giving me a gentle kiss.

  He pulls back, resting his forehead against mine. “This day isn’t going to get any easier.”

  “I know, but this is what we have to do, and we are doing it together,” I whisper.

  He kisses me once more, then laces his fingers with mine, and together, we go to inform the families of those we lost.

  Our friends from Maryland decide to stay a few extra days to mourn with us. They’ve been on the Compound for a while and have gotten to know the people here. This loss affected them just as much as it did us. Tonight, we are getting ready for the Moon Run, and then we will have a bonfire to commemorate everyone who died in the battle.

  I put on my black dress, opting for my black boots instead of my Converse. I dry my hair using the air element, putting it in soft waves, then dab on a little bit of makeup—something I haven’t done since my date with Hunter the night I saved him—and make my way downstairs. Hunter smiles sadly at me as I walk down the steps and loop my arm through his.

  Once we step outside, my mom is standing next to Declan, who is holding Maggie and has his arm wrapped around Ciera. Lydia is standing with Haku, and right next to them are our friends. My mom hands Hunter and I each a yellow rose, just like she had with everyone else.

  We lead everyone down to the willow tree that Abby and I created for Luna right on the outskirts of the woods. Hunter and I pause and step to the side to let Abby and Zayne through. She walks up the tree and her fingers brush along the edges of the plaque we made.

  “I love you, Mom,” Abby chokes out.

  She places the single yellow rose, her mother’s favorite flower, down at the base of the willow, her mother’s favorite tree. She places two fingers on her lips, then touches the plaque once more.

  “Goodbye,” she whispers.

  I swipe a tear from my eye as Zayne sets his flower down and puts his arm around Abby, then helps her down the path. Hunter and I make our way to the tree next, setting our flowers down next to Abby’s and saying our final goodbye to Luna. When we are done, the entire Compound follows suit, and we make our way down to burial grounds where Axton and Alexander are buried, along with fifteen other members of the pack. Declan and I create the twinkling lights, and I also make wreaths around each headstone like I did with Axton’s and Alexander’s.

  Like before, Hunter steps up on the rock. But this time, he doesn’t say anything right away.

  “I wish I had the right words to say,” he finally says after a minute. “But I know nothing will ever take the pain of this loss away. These people, wolves and witches alike, died heroes. They died fighting to save the world. They fought long and hard, but now, they have peace and they don’t have to fight anymore. Starting now, we will honor them by always fighting. We will always do right by them, and not let their memory be snuffed out by the evils in this world.” He pauses, then looks down at all the graves. “Until we meet again, old friends.”

  He hops down from the rock, and shifts. All the wolves follow suit. But I have something I’d like to do. So before we run, I step up on the rock. I glance down next to me, and my white wolf is sitting back on her haunches.

  “I actually would like to sing something,” I say loudly.

  I draw in a deep breath, closing my eyes and gathering myself together. After a few seconds, I open them and start to sing “Go in Peace” by Sam Baker. I sing the song for my dad. I sing it for Luna. I sing it for Abby. I glance down at my brother holding sweet little Maggie, and I sing for her and her parents. Glancing around the Compound, there’s not a dry eye in sight, and I choke on a sob singing the last words.

  That was beautiful, Hunter tells me through the link.

  I glance down at my wolf and nod.

  She howls once.

  Then Hunter howls with her. And then every single shifter is howling at the moon. Hunter shifts back into his human form, holding out his hand. I place my palm in his, and for the second time, I run with him, our pack following behind us.

  After the Moon Run and playing a few songs with Hunter and Declan, I head home to change my clothes. On my way back down to the bonfire, I notice that Declan and Hunter have taken a break from playing and the stereo we set up is playing music.

  Declan is dancing with Ciera and Maggie. Lydia and my mom are talking; according to Ciera, they seem to have gotten really close since we were gone. That warms my heart because, even though we were reunited, my mom still lost her husband and now she’s lost her best friend too. She needs someone older who she can talk to. Not that Declan and I won’t be there for her, but I know it’s not the same as having friends her age. My eyes land on Hunter, who is talking to our friends from Maryland.
I’m just about to make my way over to him, but hands cover my eyes.

  “Guess who!” Abby laughs.

  I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve heard her laugh.

  “Oh, gosh, I have no idea!” I chuckle as she kisses my cheek. “You seem to be in good spirits.”

  She smiles solemnly. “Yeah. This is a good moment. I know I’ll have those, along with some really bad moments too. But I’m surrounded by love right now, and I know my mom would want me to embrace that instead of crying at home alone, you know?”

  “You aren’t alone,” I remind her. “But I know what you mean.”

  We stand there looking out at the crowd for a few moments.

  “Hades came to me earlier today,” she finally says.

  I whip my head in her direction.

  “Don’t worry; he came in peace. He told me that I will be topside until the end of winter!”

  “Are you serious?” I ask excitedly. “That’s a lot longer than three months!”

  I tackle her in a hug, and we fall to the ground. Instead of getting up right away, we lie there looking at the stars.

  “You seem okay with it,” I say after a few moments.

  “You weren’t up there on that mountain. The way he stood up for me… He protected me, Aria. He was about to take a lightning bolt to the chest,” Abby admits. “He fought for me. I guess he really does care.”

  “Yeah, he does.” I turn my head to her. “I’m going to miss you something fierce.”

  “Me too. But do me a favor?” She lifts a brow.

  “Anything.”

  “Keep an eye on Z for me? He’s not happy right now. I’m afraid he might do something stupid,” she whispers.

  “You mean like make a deal with the devil?” I joke.

  She chuckles. “I’m serious.”