Nicolas POV

"Friends and beloveds," a priest's voice chimed in my ears, while sad whimpering surrounded me. "We have gathered here today to honor our dear Beta John. Death has taken away a genuinely wonderful pack member, and more importantly, a loving mate and father..."

My heart clenched in my chest. Everything seems so unreal. I struggled to comprehend Beta John's absence. He sacrificed his life to save mine, and now I was standing next to his open grave giving him my last ...