Lucius's POV
The day we buried our son was the hardest day of my life. Standing there among the pack members, watching the tiny casket lowered into the ground felt like having my heart ripped from my chest. The ancient werewolf burial rites provided little comfort, even with the entire Black Moon pack gathered in support.
I hadn't told Claire about the funeral. She was still recovering physically, and the sight of her crying in the hospital bed haunted me. Besides, as a human, she couldn't participate in our sacred wolf ceremonies anyway. The ancient rites were for pack members only, filled with traditions humans weren't permitted to witness.
"She should be here," Raven growled within my mind.
"She's human," I reminded him silently. "And she's barely holding together."
"Sh
