Chapter 6: The Funeral
As my mother and I stepped into the clearing where the Hoods had gathered, the weight of my grief pressed down on me like the dark clouds above. The air was thick with sorrow, and the forest surrounding us seemed to hold its breath, shrouded in silence. Members of our community were huddled together, their expressions somber as they murmured condolences and shared stories of my grandmother Beatrice, Matriarch of the Hoods.
I couldn't help but think of her laughter and the wisdom she imparted when we would sit by the fire, just the two of us. A pang of sadness gripped my heart at the realization that I'd never hear her voice again. My mother stood beside me, tears streaming down her face as she clutched my hand tightly, leaning on me for support.
"I'm sorry, Grandma..." I whispered under my breath, cursing myself for the role I might have played in her death. As the Hoods finished digging the hole that would soon contain the wooden coffin carrying my beloved grandmother, I couldn't shake off a nagging fear—had Silver, the werewolf I'd slept with, been responsible for this tragedy in any way?
“Red, bring me to a seat” my mother urged with a quiver in her voice. The news had utterly shattered her, and I was too busy dealing with her feelings to process my own grief.
I glanced over at the procession of Hoods carrying the coffin, their faces etched with pain and determination. Slowly, they began to lower it into the ground, and with each inch it sank, my guilt grew heavier.
What the hell was I thinking, getting distracted by lust when my family needed me? It wasn't like me to throw caution to the wind, especially not for some stranger. But there was something about Silver that made me feel alive in a way I never had before, and the memory of our passionate encounter only served to fuel my self-loathing.
"Rest in peace, Grandma," I whispered as the coffin disappeared into the earth. A tear rolled down my cheek, a silent promise that I would uncover the truth, no matter how painful it might be. I would find the bastard who did this to you.
One by one, the Hoods stepped forward to pay their respects, each leaving a personal memento in the grave alongside Grandma's coffin. I watched as they cast in trinkets and tokens, the weight of my own tribute feeling impossibly heavy in my hand.
It was my turn now. My fingers trembled as they closed around the red hood that Grandma made for me when I was just a child. This hood had been my comfort and protection, a symbol of her love and care. But she had given me another one recently, so I decided to keep that one close, while she could have the other.
"Goodbye, Grandma," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. As I tossed the worn fabric into the hole, it billowed momentarily like a crimson specter before settling gently atop the coffin. "I'll make you proud."
With tears streaming down my face, I stepped back to join my mother, our hands finding each other once more. The crowd hushed as Gabriel Woodsman, the Marshal of the Hoods, moved to the front, his presence commanding attention.
"Today, we gather to honor the life of Beatrice, our Matriarch and leader," he began, his voice strong and steady despite the gravity of the situation. "She was a beacon of hope, strength, and wisdom for all of us. Her loss is felt deeply, but we will not let her death be in vain."
His gaze swept over the somber faces of the Hoods, determination etched into his handsome features. "I swear on my life, as your Marshal, I will find the one responsible for this heinous act. Beatrice's memory will live on through our unwavering pursuit of justice. The monster who took her from us will pay."
The passion in Gabriel's words ignited a fire within the gathered Hoods, their grief transforming into righteous anger. Murmurs of agreement echoed through the crowd, and I could feel the growing resolve to avenge our fallen leader.
"Let us stand united in our quest for vengeance, as we have stood together under Beatrice's guidance," Gabriel continued. "We will not rest until her killer is found and justice is served."
His words stirred something within me. Despite my guilt and self-blame, I knew that I, too, had to be a part of this mission. Grandma deserved nothing less.
"There is one more thing I must share with you all," Gabriel said, holding up a small evidence bag containing a handful of silverish fur. My heart leapt into my throat as I stared at it. It couldn't be…
"During our investigation, we found this at the crime scene," Gabriel continued, his gaze sweeping over the Hoods. "Silver werewolf fur."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd, but all I could do was stare at the strands of fur, my mind racing. It matched Silver's… But he wasn't transformed when he came into the house with me, so how could there be so much hair? Unless… Did he have time to go to the house before I did? But then why would he follow me into the cabin? Something didn’t add up.
"Rest assured, we will find the Silver werewolf responsible for this, and they will answer for their crime," Gabriel vowed, his eyes filled with rage.
As the funeral came to an end, my mother and I walked back home, her sobs echoing in my ears. We were met by fellow Hoods who offered their condolences, their faces a reflection of our own sadness. As we passed them, I couldn't help but overhear talk of electing a new leader. With Beatrice gone, the Hoods had no Matriarch or Patriarch, and unrest was brewing.
"Gabriel seems like a likely candidate," one person whispered. "He's already the Marshal, and he's been leading the hunts for years."
"True, but some say it should be someone else," another countered. "We need someone who can continue Beatrice's legacy and Gabriel... I don't know. I think he's too self-centered."
My thoughts swirled with uncertainty. The image of the silver fur haunted me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
"Red," my mother whispered, drawing me out of my thoughts. "You need to give me my pills when we get home."
I nodded. "I remember, Mom. Don't worry."
As we entered our home, I helped my mother to her bedroom and ensured she took her sleeping pills. Her sobs had left her drained, and sleep was the only escape from her heartache.
"Red," she whispered, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes. "Do you love me?"
"Of course, Mom," I replied, gently stroking her hair. "I'll always be here for you."
"Goodnight," she murmured, drifting off as the pills took effect.
I closed her door softly and leaned against it, feeling a fresh wave of exhaustion wash over me. The day had been a blur of pain, confusion, and fear, leaving me emotionally spent. I needed to clear my head, to find some semblance of peace in the chaos that surrounded me.
A knock on the front door startled me from my thoughts. Who could it be at this hour? Gabriel's face flashed through my mind, and I hesitated before opening the door.
"Gabriel," I breathed, surprised to see him standing there, a gentle smile gracing his handsome features.
"Red," he said, stepping inside. "I wanted to come by and show my respects, and see how you're holding up." He placed a hand on my cheek, the warmth of his touch soothing me. "You've been so strong today."
"Thank you," I whispered, feeling a strange mix of comfort and anxiety in his presence. As much as I appreciated his concern, I couldn't forget the silver fur he'd presented earlier.
"Red," he murmured, leaning in closer, until his breath fanned against my lips. "Let me help you forget, even if just for a little while." His voice was heavy with desire, and I knew what he was offering.
"Gabriel...we…" I trailed off, feeling my resolve crumble under his intense gaze. I shouldn't do this, not after his proposal and the lingering doubts in my mind. But God, I was so tired and vulnerable, and the prospect of losing myself in sex was so tempting.
"Shh," he hushed me, his breath hot and heavy against my ear as he encircled me with his arm, holding me tightly against his body.
Gabriel's lips pressed hungrily against mine, his hands moving from my waist to cup my breasts. As he squeezed them gently, I couldn't help but let out a soft moan. I should stop him, I knew, but my body betrayed me... and even though his touch was warm and inviting, something felt off. My mind wandered back to the intense, primal connection I'd shared with Silver, and how electrifying our encounter had been in the pouring rain.
"Let's go to your room," Gabriel whispered, his voice thick with lust. "I'll make you cum and forget all this pain, even if just for a little while."
His words sent shivers down my spine, but not in the way I'd expected. Instead of feeling excited, I felt...wrong. The more Gabriel touched me, the more I craved Silver's embrace. It wasn't fair to compare them like that, especially when Gabriel was trying so hard to be there for me. But I couldn't shake the thought of how much better it had felt with Silver, how he'd overwhelmed my senses and brought me to heights of pleasure I'd never experienced before.
"Gabriel," I whispered, pulling away from him slightly. "I...I'm not in the mood right now."
He looked at me, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features. "I understand," he said gently, though I could tell he was struggling to hide his frustration.
"Red, I meant what I said earlier," he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I want to marry you. I want us to lead the Hoods together."
My heart ached at his sincerity, and I wished I could simply accept his proposal and forget about Silver entirely. But deep down, even before Silver came into the picture, I knew that wasn't possible.
"Thank you, Gabriel," I murmured, placing a hand on his chest. "But I need time to think about everything."
"Of course," he replied, his expression softening. "Take all the time you need, Red." With that, he turned and left my home, leaving me alone with my turbulent thoughts.
As the door closed behind him, I felt a strange mixture of relief and guilt wash over me. I was grateful for Gabriel's understanding but also saddened by my inability to reciprocate his feelings. And in the back of my mind, the memory of Silver's touch continued to haunt me.
Sighing, I went to my room and I slowly removed my clothes, only leaving on my panties and a white shirt. I crawled into bed, exhaustion finally setting in. However, tossing and turning in my bed, sleep refused to come. My thoughts were a tangled mess – guilt for my grandmother's death, the lingering memory of Silver's touch, and Gabriel's heartfelt marriage proposal all weighed heavily on my mind. I sighed and stared up at the ceiling, wondering if I'd ever find peace again.
A sudden tapping sound snapped me out of my reverie. At first, I thought it was just the wind playing tricks on me, but then it came again – louder and more insistent. Could it be Gabriel, returning to try his luck once more? Reluctantly, I climbed out of bed and made my way to the window, my heart pounding with a mix of trepidation and curiosity.
As I unlocked the latch and pushed the window open, I prepared myself for whatever awaited me. But nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greeted my eyes: Silver stood there, his clothes stained with blood.
Thank you for reading! 🤗 I hope you enjoyed the chapter. The following episode comes next week, but if you really can’t wait, the book is available now!
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