Deacon - Nicholas Bella Page 0,98

the bench and she sat down, but the spirit in the woman had been broken.

The ceremony was beautiful, and as was custom, I spoke to honor him, not only as the Alpha, but as his friend. I hoped my words gave some measure of comfort to those who were mourning Royce as I was. Before taking my seat, I touched the top of the closed coffin, giving my final farewell. We took one more look at Royce, who was very handsome, as the mortician had done a beautiful job considering how much make-up was needed to conceal the damage done by the venom. Everyone gave their farewells in their own way. Agnes kissed his lips, stroked his cheek, then walked away after one more kiss goodbye.

He was to be cremated, but that was something we didn’t need to witness. Everyone returned to my mansion, my new one, for the repast. There was plenty of food, and as with the nature of wolves, some fucking. People grieved in their own way. Agnes left after a few hours and I sent Charlene to go with her. She didn’t need to spend this night alone. Before it got too late, I did send the pack home with leftovers. I needed to get some sleep before the meeting.

That night, I dreamed of Royce, of the times went spent together. Laughing, bonding, he was my son’s godfather and wanted me to be godfather to his first child. I woke up, my eyes moist with the tears that had started in my dream. I couldn’t stop the flow and I cried like the night I had lost my parents. My chest burned and I gripped it as if that could stop the pain. I cried for the loss of my friend and was grateful I was alone. I needed to be alone. I rolled onto my side and cried until I didn’t even remember falling asleep again.

I woke up the next day and took a hot shower to get my mind right. I was facing the Alphas and I had to be on top of my game. I got dressed in a black, pin-striped, three-piece suit. I slapped on my gold watch and pinky ring with my initials in diamonds on black onyx. I looked like a million bucks, and that was important. Wolves respected a person who radiated authority.

I went downstairs where my two new Beta Capos were waiting for me. Elliot and Barret, and my Capo, Horacio. We had the ceremony two days ago. The moment Elliot took the oath, I knew it was the best day of his life. I crowned five Beta Capos that day, Drake being the third, Anton the fourth, and Hector as the fifth. Three of the wolves who lived here with Julie and had only held the rank because she fancied them found themselves demoted. One to Capo, and the others to soldiers. They didn’t like it, but I didn’t give a shit. Want rank, earn it like I did and not by kissing ass.

“You ready?” I asked my three wolves, badasses in their own right.

Elliot winked. “You know it, Sir.”

I stopped. “I like when you call me ‘Sir’, but I think I like ‘Boss’ better.”

“‘Boss’ it is then, Boss,” Elliot said.

I smiled. I’d been called “Sir” when I was just a Capo. I felt the title should rise along with my new rank. I motioned for them to follow me, which I didn’t really need to do. We all climbed into the limo and hit the road heading toward Alpha’s Peak. I remembered how long it had taken us to make this same trip over a hundred and fifty years ago. By horse and carriage, no less. My, my, how times had changed. Only a few hours instead of days now. And when we arrived, what used to be a cottage was now a one-story, white brick building. A very simple structure surrounded by trees, bushes, and tall grass.

There were other cars there, all expensive beauties to show off each Alpha’s wealth. I climbed out and walked to the front door. There was a key pad, and I had the code, which was very well organized in Julie’s old notes. I punched in the numbers and entered. Inside looked much better than the outside, but still simple. There was a cherrywood table in the middle with five high-backed leather chairs surrounding it. Sitting in four of those chairs were the other Alphas and standing behind them were