***Hankie Alert***

Neil had been one of the first to hear Tyrone’s mournful howls and surmised what must have happened. He would have gone into the room immediately to check Mrs. Landgraab to pronounce her death if it hadn’t been for the earthquake striking at the exact moment of her supposed death. Strange, Neil thought to himself as he treated people for minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. At least on this floor, nobody was hurt badly. Neil found it creepily odd that there even was a quake in Aurora Skies, let alone having happened at the moment of someone’s death. What the hell was going on here?

Then, the second quake hit, and Neil was faced, once again, with safety and treating injuries. Both his blackmailer and Tyrone Landgraab was temporarily relegated to the back of Neil’s mind while he worked. Once things started to settle, however, the continuing howls of the now apparently widowed werewolf reminded Neil of the bleak situation he had to resolve. He’d been ordered not to save Lenora Landgraab by his sinister caller, but that had been a moot point. He’d been unable to find a cure for her illness and she’d died anyway. Sliding his fingers over his jacket, he felt the rube he’d hidden in the inside pocket. Neil had gotten the sample he needed to make the clone just before Tyrone had entered his wife’s room for the last time.

I have no choice but to do what they want, Neil said to himself. I can’t let my mother die. They mean business. Any idiot would understand that. A sense of self-loathing stole over Neil, but he knew beyond any doubt that he was hopelessly trapped.

“Someone, get in here! Lenora’s heart is beating…and she’s trying to breathe. Someone get in here now!”

Neil let out a startled grunt and jumped at the gravelly, guttural command. He barreled into the room, coming to a stop mere inches from the werewolf’s side. “Mr. Landgraab?”

“I think my wife is trying to come back. I heard her breath and felt a pulse. Her hands are warm. Save her! Please, save her.” Tyrone easily sprang to his feet, Lenora’s limp form cradles against his chest.

“Put her on the bed, and we’ll get her hooked up to the monitors,” Neil said. “Quickly!”

Tyrone’s instincts were to hold onto her, to protect her, but he understood he had to defer to Neil’s expertise. He still wished fervently for Cian’s arrival, but that apparently wasn’t happening. Neil was who they had, and he’d been nothing but kind and compassionate throughout this whole ordeal.

With utmost tenderness, Tyrone lowered his Lenora to the bed and took her hand, squeezing it hard. He barely heard two nurses enter and Neil’s orders to them as he brought Lenora’s still warm fingers to his lips. “You can do this, Lenora! Come back to me, my love.” He rubbed her fingers briskly between his, desperately hoping and wishing for more signs of life.

Neil put a hand on Tyrone’s shoulder. “Let us do our work, Mr. Landgraab. We’ll do all we can, I assure you.”

“Can I hold her hand? She’ll sense I’m here, and that will make her want to fight,” Tyrone said in his wolfish voice.

“You need to step back and let us do our job,” Neil firmly replied.

With dread and great reluctance, Tyrone obeyed Neil’s instructions and waited, almost breathlessly, as his Lenora was hooked up to one monitor after another. As Neil studied the instruments, he waved his hand over Lenora and frowned. “No respiration or pulse.” He looked at the heart monitor, but it showed only a flat line. “Asystole.”

Tyrone visibly winced as Neil began pumping Lenora’s chest and epinephrine was administered through an IV. Tyrone paced the floor like a caged animal as a mask was lowered over Lenora’s face. There was nothing he could do to protect her in this instance, and it nearly drove him mad with helplessness and agitation.

Tyrone’s insides went cold as Neil and the others slowed their harried pace and then stopped. With a defeated, grim sigh, Neil said, “There’s nothing more we can do. I’m going to call it. Time of death, 7:35 PM. She’s gone, Mr. Landgraab. I’m so sorry.”

Tyrone felt agonizing sorrow crash over him once again. “I felt a pulse. I heard her breath,” he sobbed brokenly as he came to his Lenora’s side. In utter despair, he lowered his head to Lenora’s chest, closed his eyes, and felt hot tears slide down his cheeks. He listened for several long moments, hoping against hope that the monitors were wrong and that he’d hear a heartbeat.

There was nothing. Lenora’s beautiful, loving heart was now completely silent under Tyrone’s ear.

Sometime later, Tyrone still hadn’t emerged from the room. Seeing that the rest of his family was unharmed, Deus changed into wolf form as discreetly as he could and went to find his son. He figured he’d be able to handle Tyrone better in wolf form in case his son tried something stupid while in the throes of despair.

Deus’ heart shattered as he entered the room and saw Tyrone crouched over the lifeless body of his mate, caressing her face, and pleading with her to please come back to him. The abject devastation radiating from his son was enough to send the entire planet careening helplessly on a direct collision course with the sun. Deus swallowed hard, fighting to keep his own despair at bay. He would grieve later. Right now, his son desperately needed him.

Sensing another wolf approaching, a low warning growl escaped Tyrone. He shielded Lenora’s body with his own, sliding his arms around her in a protective manner.

“Stand down, son. It is just me,” Deus ground out in his own raspy, wolfish voice. When Tyrone didn’t move or acknowledge him, Deus reached for his son with his Wolf’s telepathy. //Tyrone, son, it is I, your sire. You must stand down and let me approach.//

This slowly got through to Tyrone, who slowly straightened up, looking like an arthritic old wolf. //She’s gone, Dad. I lost her.//

Deus crept forward, his demeanor calm and reassuring. “Let me see her,” he said aloud in raspy, soothing tones.

“I thought she was coming back. I-I was certain I felt a pulse and heard her breath. Feel her hands. They are still warm. She doesn’t smell like death. Sh-she still smells like my Lenora.” Tyrone’s voice choked out Lenora’s name, his head bowing in sorrow.

Deus kissed his daughter-in-law’s brow and folded his hands over her much smaller ones. “You’re right. She’s warm.” It wasn’t often that Amadeus Mozart Landgraab was utterly puzzled, but this was one of those times. Frowning slightly, he rolled the blanket up over the foot of the bed to reveal Lenora’s feet. Running the pad of his thumbs over them and taking the time to finger each of Lenora’s toes, his frown deepened. “Lenora’s feet are warm, the tips of her toes, too. Peculiar.”

Covering Lenora’s feet, Deus padded back to Tyrone’s side. Leaning over Lenora, he breathed in deeply, then exhaled slowly. “There is no scent of death here, not even a little. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she’s in a deep, deep sleep brought about by some kind of magic. but…” He trailed off and, just as Tyrone had done, placed his cheek near Lenora’s mouth, then put his ear to her unmoving chest. “There is no breath or heartbeat and yet–” Once again, he didn’t finish his thought.

“I know,” Tyrone croaked. “I thought I heard and felt it a while ago, but it was only my wishful thinking. She’s gone, and nothing I or any of us can do will bring her back.” His shoulders heaved as a sob wracked him.

Deus put one of his massive paws on his son’s shaking shoulder. “Son, I know this is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to face, and there are going to be dark times ahead. But you’re going to have to come away and go take care of the children. That’s what Lenora would want. They need you, son.”

“The…ceremony. I must perform the ceremony…for my Lenora.”

“I can do it if you need me to,” Deus replied.

“No. I must be the one. Will you…will you stand in with me and then ask Theresa to…to do the Witch Ceremony to…to bless Lenora?”

“Yes, of course.”

Although Lenora was not a Wolf, she was entitled to the Wolf’s Ceremonial Rites of Death because of her status as True Mate of an Alpha Wolf. Being a witch and an accomplished sorceress, she was also entitled to the Last Blessing of the Magi, which was to be performed by a witch or wizard. As Lenora’s mate, it was up to Tyrone to perform the Wolf’s Ceremony for Lenora and name another wolf to stand in and assist. In life, Lenora was entitled to invoke both Ariadne and the Great Alpha Pair for protection, which was highly powerful. In death, she was entitled to both last blessings, which would surely help in guiding her soul safely to the Elysian Fields.

The first part of the Wolf Ceremony would be conducted at the place of Lenora’s death with the second part being performed at the actual graveside. Deus filled a plastic hospital basin with hot, soapy, water, both he and Tyrone cleansing their hands. Tyrone took out his pocket knife, using the water to cleanse it of possible impurities. Once done, Deus took the knife and sliced a gash over the palm of Tyrone’s wolfish hand. Blood welled up and over the sides of the cut. Tyrone pulled the edges open even more so the blood would flow more freely. Once accomplished, he sprinkled a circle of blood around Lenora’s bed. “I call upon the spirits of Drogo, the Great Alpha Wolf and Phaedra, the Benevolent Alpha Wolf to guide the spirit of my beloved mate, Lenora, to the Hereafter. I beseech your sacred presence in this my darkest hour. I ask your just and merciful spirits to appear before us now. I commend to your keeping the spirit of Lenora Margaret Catherine Landgraab, my beloved mate, and ask that your protection be with her. I, Tyrone Amadeus Mozart Landgraab, humbly beseech your kindness and compassion to guide the soul of my beloved mate, Lenora, to her next life so she may partake of the rewards she has earned by living a true, good, and faithful life.”

Deus took the knife and made a small slash on his own palm. With a forefinger, he traced the pattern of a shield over Lenora’s palm. “The shield is a symbol of protection. I bless you, Lenora, with this shield, drawn of my own blood, so you may deflect the powers of evil spirits as your unmarred, good spirit travels to the next world. May your journey be unhindered and your steps light. In the name of the Great Alpha Wolf and his mate, the Benevolent Alpha Wolf, I commend your spirit unto the next life.”

Deus then squeezed Tyrone’s cut to produce more blood. With Tyrone’s blood, he traced the pattern of a sword to overlay the shield over Lenora’s palm. “The sword is a sign of bravery, truth, and knowledge,” Tyrone intoned. “I, Tyrone Amadeus Mozart Landgraab, bless you, Lenora Margaret Catherine, my beloved True Mate, with the sword drawn of my own blood. May it light the way for your journey so you may remain affixed upon the true and correct path. May it bring you courage to battle evil ones you may encounter. May it give you discernment of truth. I hereby commend your loving spirit unto the Great Alpha Wolf and his mate, the Benevolent Alpha Wolf that they may protect and keep you until we meet again in the next life.”

Although the words were foreign to the human ear, for they sounded like howls and other wolflike noises, it was a developed language; the Language of the Werewolf. Along with the vocalizations, Tyrone and Deus performed intricate gestures over Lenora’s body. It was a beautiful, fluid sight to see and one that was truly captivating.

From his bag, Tyrone took a vial of blessed water and began to sprinkle it over both Lenora and an extra blanket that Deus found. “With the sprinkling of this blessed water and the authority vested in me as Alpha Wolf, I sanctify the soul of my true mate, Lenora Landgraab and this shroud so she may pass unto the next life in purity. May she be forever blessed and cherished by the Great Alpha Wolf and his mate, the Benevolent Alpha Wolf. Once again, I humbly beseech your protection and grace, O Great Wolves, to forever hold my true mate, Lenora, unto your safe keeping.”

Deus and Tyrone lovingly and reverently wrapped the blanket around Lenora, then sprinkled more blessed water over the top. “Take care of my Lenora and keep her safe,” Tyrone said informally, voicing his heartfelt request in simple words. “Please remind her of my love. She is noble of heart and brave of spirit. I ask this from the very depths of my being.”

When it was over, Theresa performed the Last Blessing of the Magi Ceremony. Waving her hand in flowing, intricate movements and chanting in an ancient language, Theresa invoked Goddess Ariadne’s protection over her beloved sister, Lenora. Because Mathilda was Lenora’s mother figure and friend as well as a goddess herself, Theresa also asked for Mathilda’s protection and guidance. A white light surrounded Lenora’s body as the sound of a mystical ethereal choir greeted their ears. For a brief moment, Tyrone could have sworn he saw the figures of Ariadne and his great-grandparents, who were also the Alpha Wolf Pair, standing next to where Lenora lay. Tyrone saw all three join hands and when they did, the white light grew so bright that it engulfed the room. It was so bright that there was no choice but to look away. An instant later, the bright light and mystical choir vanished, leaving the room as it had been before.

Theresa slid her arms around her brother and pressed her cheek to his shoulder. “Come on, brother. Landon and Crystal want to say their goodbyes. Let’s get you changed back into human form and get you out of here.”

“She’s right, son. There’s nothing more you can do for Lenora now,” Deus said gently.

In a daze and with a great deal of effort, Tyrone changed back into human form and bent over Lenora for the last time to kiss her. “I’ll love you forever, my Lenora. Nobody can ever take away what we had…what we meant to each other. You will always be a part of me.” He tucked the blanket more snugly around his Lenora. Then, with a choked sob, he allowed his father and sister to lead him from the room and into an unforgiving world, a world without his Lenora in it.

Author’s Notes: First off, I’m sorry if the pacing of what’s going on seems slow. There was a lot I wanted to cover but wanted to break it up into shorter chapters rather than have one or two gargantuan ones. I figured it would make for easier reading that way. Things will be moving right along in a jiffy, so hang in here with me. Also, keep the hankies at the ready because there are still some really sad chapters ahead.

I also want to apologize for lack of screenshots depicting the ceremonies. I couldn’t think of a way to do it without major Photoshop work which, I’m sorry to say, goes beyond my skill level. I hope the descriptions were enough to give at least a fairly good idea of them. They needed to be included because they will be a huge factor in upcoming chapters.

Get ready for a bit of a wild ride as this mystery unfolds. Will Neil go through with making a clone of Lenora? And where are Cian, Mathilda, and Liam? Does Valerie know more than even she realizes or is letting on? You’ll just have to keep reading to find out.