Chapter 26
There was silence among the creatures. Maybe it was the nauseating smell of blood, or maybe it was the sense of impending danger in the air that made them go.
The Luna Ruby Pack had been reduced to almost half. It was the first in the annals of werewolves. No alpha had ever slain so many of their own before.
Alpha Ronaldo was standing when he discovered his mate's bloody corpse. With the trees encircling them, he embraced her while they exchanged their final words. Her eyes were open as she bid farewell to her alpha, holding onto the last vestige of her life. He recalls hearing the pack's screams reverberating through the trees as he watched her die.
It was an experience Ronaldo would never forget—he heard her heart stop. He saw everything, even though it seemed like he could only concentrate on her face. He saw the look on her face when her heart broke. She worried for their child even while she was dying.
"Ronaldo, please save the child.
Please, you must."
That had also failed him. What kind of partner was he? He was unable to protect his partner and ensure the survival of his offspring.
The infant never had a chance, in retrospect. Dorothy had been so badly mauled that there was no chance of saving the kid.
He was not prepared to let Dorothy leave, even after she had said farewell. One lifetime is simply not enough, so even if he had marked her, he knew he would do this all over again.
Three sorceresses were around him. Bare feet and chest as he is ready for his end. While most individuals in his situation would be terrified, all he feels is relief. There will never be a day on earth that he spends without his beauty by his side when he finally gets to see Dorothy again.
One of the witches informs Ronaldo, "This might not work; no one has done this before."
Ronaldo grins and raises his gaze to the moon.
"She assured me. She promised, and that's the only reason more dead haven't piled up in her temple." Ronaldo yells. His voice booms as if it were intended to reach the moon.
Elena observes from above. She recalled all of the souls that had suddenly filled the wolf realm, and her eyes welled up with sorrow. Too quickly, their lives were taken from them, but what could she do? This was an exception to the rule that a god should not meddle in matters about humans or the supernatural.
"As you wish, Alpha," says a witch.
As the moon gets closer to its apogee, they start to chant, but something stops them.
"Ronaldo, please don't do this!"
Ronaldo turns to face his sibling. Her hand is cradling her baby bulge, and her dark eyes are full of sadness. Gaius was softly begging me with his eyes as he stood behind her.
I can't quit, you know," declares Ronaldo to her.
"Ronaldo, you are my family! There will be no one left if you leave me. Who is going to be the Alpha? Who is going to be my brother?" At this time, she's crying. Tears cascade down her cheeks like water.
"How about my kid? Their uncle won't be able to meet them."
Ronaldo's heart shatters even more. His sister and he have always been together. They were as close as friends. Their father wasn't much of a parent when he lost his partner, and they had lost their mother when they were young. Ronaldo's sister was all that remained of him, but she still had a lot of life left to live.
He nodded to Gaius after glancing at him. Ronaldo knows his sister will be well taken care of; therefore, he is satisfied to be departing this world. She didn't need it because our lineage is powerful, and she was a Matteo before becoming a De Lombardi. We're not easily defeated by anything.
"You belong to my family." Even though you can't see me, I'll always be here for you," Ronaldo assures her.
"What about the pack, Ronaldo? She screams at him, "You are the last Matteo!" Right now, all she wants is for her brother to survive; she's in a dire situation.
That is untrue, as you are aware. Now it's all yours. Matteo will always be in your blood, even if you are a De Lombardi."
She collapses on the ground, breaking down into tears.
"You now own it. Here, with me, ends the Matteo line. A new era has arrived, and the De Lombardis will now take the lead."
"I, Alpha Ronaldo Matteo, declare Monica De Lombardi, Alpha of the Luna Ruby Pack."
Monica gasps in surprise.
"But I'm a-"
"A woman? Sister, get over it; we both know our mother was always more assertive than our father ever was."
But being an Alpha is not what I desire! Ronaldo, this is your job!"
"You have the option to transfer your title to Gaius at any time. Please understand that our pack was founded on Matteo's blood and that it will continue to do so with your child. Even though they have a De Lombardi last name, they will always be of Matteo blood."
"My actions have irreparably tarnished the family name. "You can make amends for my transgressions," Ronaldo continues. He is aware that he will go down in history as a villain, but he doesn't care. He feels no regret for what he did. If it meant he would see his Dorothy again, he would do it 20 times over.
He nods to the left, indicating that the witches may go. Their chants recommence.
"Monica, you are loved. You'll be a fantastic alpha.
He nods to Gaius after glancing at him. Just as Ronaldo is being surrounded by flames, Gaius takes Monica by the waist and drags her away.
"NO!" Monica yells. She lashes out at Gaius, but he is adamant about protecting his partner and kid.
Ronaldo experiences a sudden, stinging ache in his chest as the chanting goes on. He gives way painfully to the ground. Around him, the flames keep rising in a circle. He smiles as he stares up at the moon. He's quite near.
Together, the witches extended their hands. The flames go along with them as they draw their right hands toward them. They raise their right fists in a final chant. As they move, the fire pursues them and envelops Ronaldo in flames. Monica sends forth one last desperate cry.
As the flames consume his body, Ronaldo sobs. His head tilts back, almost as if he is howling at the moon, and he lets out an animalistic yell.
He feels it, almost to tears. At last, he experienced it once more.
In his final moments, Dorothy is by his side, just as he was for her.
When the fire eventually consumes him completely, he smiles. He will reunite with her in his arms one day.
He assured me.
The witches utter one more word before ceasing their chant.
"There's no stopping fate."