Chapter 177: Part 5

Five hours after the sun's rays dropped behind the highest mountain of the territory, bear and northeast clan members walked to the final resting place of the fallen. It was high in the mountains surrounded by tall trees and thick woods cleared from the middle where the dead came to rest. Six bears carried Rufus's body on a ceremonial wooden pallet and laid him on an elevated pyre. Vorlyk and his clan stood silently by as the bears paid their last respects to their fallen brother. Rufus had spent most of his time at the nightclub, but when he was home, he'd gained the respect of Nicolas's pack by warm greetings and offered friendship. He'd also died protecting Talya and he would forever be a hero in the eyes of the northwest clan. The soft sobs from his mother filled the clearing, her grief as powerful as any mother who loses a child.