EVAN'S POV

　　The somber notes of the funeral hymn floated through the air as Brandon and I stood among the mourners, our expressions carefully composed to reflect the gravity of the occasion. The pack members around us were immersed in their grief, their heads bowed and eyes filled with tears. The loss of Luna Judy had hit the North Light Pack hard, and the sorrow was palpable.

　　I scanned the faces around me, noting the genuine sadness etched on each one. Yet, something felt off. The body of Luna Judy was being kept out of sight, a peculiar choice for such a revered figure. Her sudden death had been described as tragic, but the details were sparse and murky.

　　"Brandon," I whispered, nudging him gently. "Look over there."

　　Brandon followed my gaze to a group of pack members gathered near a closed casket. Beside it, a glimpse of a burned hand with missing fingers caught our attention. My stomach churned as the implications sank in.

　　"Something's not right," I murmured, my voice barely audible.

　　Brandon nodded, his expression hardening. "Let's find out more."

　　We approached a small group of pack members, their conversation hushed but tinged with sorrow. As we neared, their eyes turned to us, and I put on a mask of empathy and respect.

　　"I'm truly sorry for your loss," I said, my voice sincere. "Luna Judy was a remarkable woman. Her loss is a tragedy for us all."

　　One of the pack members, an older woman with tear-streaked cheeks, nodded appreciatively. "Thank you. She was the heart of our pack. It's hard to imagine life without her."

　　Brandon chimed in, his tone somber. "If there's anything we can do to help during this difficult time, please let us know."

　　The woman gave a sad smile. "Your presence means a lot. We're all trying to come to terms with this. It's just... so sudden."

　　I seized the opportunity to probe gently. "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly happened? We've heard so little, and the details seem... unusual."

　　The pack members exchanged glances, a shadow of uncertainty passing over their faces. Finally, one of the men spoke up, his voice tinged with confusion. "We were told it was an accident, but no one has seen her body except Alpha Cameron. He insisted on keeping it private."

　　Brandon and I shared a glance, the same thought crossing our minds. If Luna Judy's death was sudden, why was her body not intact? The charred remains suggested something far more sinister than an accident.

　　"That's understandable," I said carefully. "Losing someone so important is always difficult. But, forgive me for asking, has anyone questioned the circumstances? It seems... unusual."

　　The older woman sighed, her eyes distant. "There have been whispers, of course. Some say it was an attack, others think it was a sacrifice. But we trust Alpha Cameron. He's always looked out for us."

　　I forced a smile, though inside, my mind was racing. "Thank you for sharing that with us. We'll keep you in our thoughts."

　　We moved away from the group, Brandon's expression darkening with each step. "Evan, if Cameron can sacrifice his own mate, then he can do anything."

　　I nodded, my resolve hardening. "We need to find Lydia. And we need to be careful. If Cameron is behind this, we can't afford to underestimate him."

　　We continued to circulate among the mourners, offering condolences while discreetly searching for clues. Every whispered conversation, every furtive glance added to our growing unease. The more we learned, the clearer it became that something was deeply wrong.

　　As we stood near the edge of the gathering, a young pack member approached us, her eyes wide with fear. "I overheard you asking about Luna Judy," she whispered. "I don't know much, but I've heard rumors. People say Alpha Cameron has been meeting with strange individuals, performing rituals. I think... I think he might be behind her death."

　　My heart pounded as I listened. "Thank you. We'll look into it."

　　As she hurried away, Brandon turned to me, his eyes blazing with determination. "We need to find Lydia, and we need to stop Cameron."

　　"Agreed," I said, my voice firm. "Let's move quickly. We can't let him get away with this."

　　The funeral continued around us, but our minds were focused on the task ahead. We had to find Lydia, uncover the truth about Luna Judy's death, and stop Cameron before it was too late. The fate of our pack—and possibly the entire kingdom—depended on it.

　　The funeral dragged on, but Brandon and I remained vigilant, our senses attuned to every whisper and sideways glance. We couldn't afford to miss any clue that might lead us to Lydia. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the mourning pack, I noticed a young man leaning against a tree, a bottle in hand. He looked disheveled and his eyes were bloodshot from crying, but what caught my attention was the way he glared at anyone who came near him.

　　I nudged Brandon. "Look over there. That guy seems different from the rest. Let's see what he knows."