Chapter 568: Henry's Wake keep
Chapter 568: Henry's Wake keep
Tonight was the wake-keep ceremony for the late Alpha Henry.
Aside from the earlier commotion caused by Griffin and Violet's escape, nothing monumental had happened
since. For now, things had settled into an uneasy calm.
Tonight, they would mourn, and honor the fallen hero, Alpha Henry with proper respect. Then tomorrow, he will
finally be laid to rest.
The ceremony was open to all members of the West Pack. Men, women, and even children were permitted to
attend, and they had arrived in full force.
Rows of chairs stretched across the wide ceremonial grounds, perfectly aligned, creating neat pathways down
the center. At the very front, an exclusive row of high-backed, cushioned chairs was set aside for the high-
ranking wolves.
The entire place glowed with the soft light of torches and candles. The electricity had been deliberately turned
off to honor tradition and give the night a sacred feel. The moment was heavy with grief, the scent of burning
wax and incense saturating the air.
Members of the West pack sat in complete silence, their gazes lowered. Women clutched handkerchiefs or the
hems of their dark mourning shawls, while men sat stiff-backed, their hands clasped tightly, and their jaws
clenched. Even the usually restless children were subdued, their wide and innocent eyes reflecting the torchlight.
Asher, draped in black from head to toe, was the first to enter, and every head lifted. His expression was so stoic
and unreadable, it looked like he was made from stone.
As soon as they saw him, the women began to wail. Their cries were piercing, rising in a haunting chorus that
sent chills down people’s spines. Sdropped to their knees, clutching their heads, while others reached out
desperately to touch Asher as he passed.
It was customary for the women of the West pack to mourn loudly, and express their grief in raw, unfiltered
waves of sound. Tugging on Asher’s clothes was their way of showing deep condolence, a physical gesture that
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthey shared in his pain.
As expected of him, Asher didn’t waver. He moved forward with unflinching resolve, letting their hands fall away
as he passed through them. For once, the West Pack’s traditions suited him because he wasn’t burdened by grief
at all.
Roman was right beside Asher. He stole a glance at his friend, relaxing when he realized he was good. Then he
kept moving, falling into step with the other Alphas.
When they reached the front, Asher took his reserved seat. Roman sat just beside him, and the others filled in
the row. Just like that, a heavy, expectant silence fell again.
Then the atmosphere shifted as Alpha King Elijah entered with all the authority of his title. His presence radiated
power that had all spines straightening and heads bowing without being told. The remaining Alphas and his
guests trailed right behind him.
Unlike Asher, no one dared to touch Elijah, their earlier wailing ceasing. The crowd parted for him instinctively,
leaving a clear path down the center aisle.
Elijah’s stride was regal and unhurried, his gaze sweeping over his subjects with a predator's calm detachment.
At the front, a chair had been prepared for him. Though not as ornate as his throne back home, it was still
luxurious, the cushions draped in deep crimson fabric.
Elijah reached his seat and settled beside Asher, his presence dominating the space without a single word
spoken. The two figures sat side by side, one the heir of the West, the other the King of all wolves, as the wake-
keep began.
Then a sudden commotion rippled through the gathered crowd, breaking the heavy silence. From the far end of
the ceremonial grounds, Luna Patricia appeared, draped head to toe in mourning apparel. Her black gown flowed
around her, a dark veil covering her face.
She was not alone.
Surrounding her was a circle of women from the pack, all dressed in similar dark colors. Their movements were
perfectly in sync, as though the ritual had been rehearsed countless times. This was their tradition, and even
Alpha King Elijah watched with rapt attention.
Patricia staggered slightly, as if she wanted to flee, but no matter which direction she turned, the women closed
ranks, herding her forward. They forced her back into the ceremonial path until she reached the raised stage at
the heart of the grounds, where a massive framed portrait of Alpha Henry stood tall. Before it lay the sealed
coffin draped with the West Pack’s sigil, a lone torch burning at either side.
f q
The women’s grip loosened as
Patricia fell to her knees before the
coffin, clutching af itdegperatelys nd
wailing Né cries were infectious that
women in the crowd began to weep
openly, their voices joining hers in a
mournful chorus. The content is on
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Even children, too young to understand the ritual, began to sob too. It was only the men who held back, trained
not to show weakness. They would cry in secret as tradition demanded.
The leader of the women stepped
forward, carrying a thin black thread.
She tied one end hes Patrioia's
wise ter 0 a carved nook
inthe coffin. The thread symbolized
the spiritual bond between husband
and wife—the one final tether to be
severed. The content is on
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chapter there!
Another woman emerged, this tholding a pair of ceremonial scissors. At the sight of them, Patricia’s wailing
intensified into raw hysteria.
She shook her head wildly, clutching at the thread as if her very life depended on it. "No! | don’t want to leave
my husband yet!" she screamed, her voice breaking with grief.
From his seat, Elijah let out a derisive
snort, loud enough to be heard by
Asher. Their gazes met briefly, gfiore
they logkegpway They botid fool the
pbek but not each other. Elijah knew
IN, 3
Patricia's grief was an act. She had
never truly wanted to stay married to
Henry. This was all performance,
albeit a very convincing one at that.
Patricia tried to run as the women advanced, but they seized her firmly. The leader raised the scissors high and
cut the thread.
The instant the severed thread fell to the floor, Patricia collapsed, her body wracked with bitter, gut-deep sobs.
Her performance was so convincing that many in the crowd fell into deeper mourning, their own tears streaming
freely. She must have loved their Alpha dearly to be so undone by his passing, they thought.
Asher let out a troubled sigh. To think this was only the beginning of what promised to be a long, miserable night.