The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 94

Darius

POV

It was a dark, dismal day, with thunderclouds rolling overhead. There was a slight chill in the air, and the sky was bleak, matching everyone's mood perfectly. I flashed back to yesterday afternoon when Sophie's body was discovered by another omega no less. We heard the screams first, coming in from the southwest, all of us puzzled by the sound. Well except me, I had been expecting it and had been on tenterhooks waiting for the inevitable sounds as someone found her. A young omega girl, with auburn hair and dark brown eyes, came crashing through the grounds, near the training ring, hysterical, her hair disheveled, her clothes slightly torn from branches as she'd run.

"The Luna" she babbled, falling to her knees as she was surrounded by curious pack members and the patrol "the luna is dead" she cried, placing her head in her hands and sobbing wildly. I strode over to her, grim-faced, hauling her up by the arm "what is the meaning of this? What on earth are you talking about?" It wasn't the Luna she meant obviously but the luna to be.

"Your wife" she sobbed, pointing behind her towards the cabin near the outskirts of the woods "your wife Sophie is dead, Master Darius" she cried.

I dropped her arm and turned towards patrol. "Fan out, whoever is responsible for her death may still be here. Gather up any strangers that you replace" I ordered, striding towards the woods, several patrol members behind me, the omega still crying where she sat. I entered the cabin cautiously, replaceing the pitcher of sweet tea overturned and the glasses both empty of liquid. Sophie lay on the ground, splayed out, foam at the corner of her mouth. Her big blue eyes were clouded over and she stared blankly at the ceiling, her body still and completely immobile. I knelt down beside her, checking her pulse, and then closed my eyes in regret. There was no pulse, she was gone. I was careful to act the part of the grieving husband as I gathered her up in my arms, closing her eyes with one hand and turning to the other men who awaited instructions.

"My wife is dead," I said harshly "and I want the person responsible to be found, is that clear?"

A search party was started. Another omega was found, in her underwear in a closet, tied up and restrained, as well as gagged. She babbled on nonsensically about a woman who had knocked her out and taken her clothes. The patrol began to search for the woman using the omega's description but Stacey, thankfully, was long gone, after having completed her task. I wasn't surprised when they didn't replace her, grateful she'd run off and put as much distance as possible between herself and my pack.

The funeral was set for the next day, the whole pack surrounding myself, my mother and father, and Clarissa who was now weeping silently beside me.

"We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of our beloved Sophie Henderson" began the minister and I blinked back tears, trying to comfort Clarissa who was beside herself.

"Why" she sobbed pathetically, as my mother also tried her best to comfort her "why would anyone want to hurt my Sophie" she sniffled.

Beta Mathew was on the other side of the pack, swaying slightly on his feet, already drunk the poor bastard. He was glowering at Clarissa who had served him divorce papers, looking upset as his daughter was put to rest.

The crowd began to disperse as the coffin was laid down in it's resting spot, the earth being flung onto it by members of the pack as they walked past. Beta Mathew made his way to our side and I cringed, knowing he would cause a scene, but not blaming the man in the slightest for it.

"This is your fault" he hissed at a startled Clarissa who blinked her big blue eyes at him, her lip quivering in distress as she straightened her shoulders to glare at the man.

"You wanted her to marry him" he snarled, pointing at me as my father moved to intercept him.

"Now, now" soothed my father "we're all upset," he said quietly trying to avoid a fight.

"Upset" barked Beta Mathew "I'm more than a little upset," he said slurring his words, swaying back and forth on his feet "my daughter is dead and I blame all of you for it" he hissed.

"Please, just stop," said Clarissa, with a sob "this isn't the time or place Mathew" she hissed, gesturing towards the coffin which was gleaming despite the darkness of the sky and the lack of sunlight.

"I think now is a perfect time," said Mathew loftily "don't you Darius? I mean look at you," he said quietly poking me in the chest as I stumbled slightly backward "you don't even look that sad for a man that's lost his wife" he snarled. "I bet you had something to do with it, didn't you?"

My mouth fell open but Clarissa stunned us all, stepping forward and slapping Beta Mathew with all her strength in the face. Smack. We all cringed as we saw the bright red open hand mark on his cheek, the Beta putting a hand to his cheek in shock, staring at his ex-wife in astonishment.

"Our daughter has just been buried" Clarissa snarled "show some damn respect for once in your life, you drunken fool."

For once Mathew seemed speechless. My mother looked at Clarissa with something akin to pride in her eyes. She loved it when Clarissa showed some back bone and spunk, especially towards her ex-husband. "How dare you" stammered Mathew finally.

My father had had enough now, grabbing hold of Beta Mathew's arm and spinning him around the other way, turning him so that he could see the coffin. The man crumpled to his knees. "Sophie" he whispered "Sophie" and began to cry loudly and noisily. "I'll stay with him," my father said grimly "the rest of you go to the wake at the house."

Clarissa gave a sob and my mother enfolded her in her arms, hugging her tight and walking beside her as they walked towards the pack house. I wiped my eyes, which were red and puffy from pretending to cry, and began to walk behind them. We walked in silence, all of us, my father standing beside Beta Mathew who had lost it completely.

My mother halted at the door "I'll see you inside in a moment" she murmured to Clarissa who was holding up well considering the circumstances.

Clarissa gave a nod and then disappeared inside, but not before shooting me a suspicious look. Did she blame me, as well, for her daughter's death? Or did she suspect me for being the one to organize it?

My mother reached out and grabbed me by the arm. "Darius," she said, with tears in her eyes "I can't believe that Sophie is gone. I can't imagine how you're feeling. First the loss of your unborn child, and now, the loss of your wife. I'm so sorry son" she whispered. I patted her on the shoulder, feeling awkward.

"It's difficult for me to say much" I choked out, "but I want to thank you and father for your help in organizing the funeral and helping me to grieve."

My mother looked touched. "Of course Darius, we would do anything to help you, you know that" she breathed "we were so looking forward to our grandchild and for you and Sophie to become the Alpha and Luna of the pack. If there's anything you need, anything at all, just say the words and we'll help you with whatever it is. Ignore the rumours" she advised me, looking a bit stricken "I don't believe for one minute you had anything to do with Sophie's death. I know how much you loved her, the pictures you took on your special honeymoon attest to that."

The pictures on the honeymoon were a lie. A way to keep Sophie from constantly feeling like she was nothing but second best to Amber. I had played the perfect role of a loving husband who had forgiven his wife all her indiscretions and for forcing him to marry her. I had told Sophie back then, that I would give us both a chance and while I had been willing, my thoughts had been on Amber the entire time. Still, the pictures showed me adoring her and showed that I had loved her if only for a short while. My alibi was concrete, having been at the training ring when Sophie was discovered, but it hadn't stopped the gossip mill from saying I had something to do with it. I would replace out who was talking like that and stop them from continuing to malign me, but it looked like mother was already doing that.

She looked a little taken aback. "Of course" she stammered "but you don't have to think about that now, Darius, today is a day for grieving and mourning. Your father still has every intention of making you Alpha of the pack soon. But for now, let's just grieve the loss of your beautiful wife."

I gave a small nod and that seemed to placate her, as she turned and walked into the house, no doubt searching for Clarissa. I could hear her weeping from the front entryway and I flinched, not wanting to join the crowd in the pack house. But it had to be done and I forced myself to keep walking into the living room and join the crowd of pack members who all began to offer me their sympathies. My mother watched me approvingly from across the room as I shook hands, and hugged people, some of whom were complete strangers to me. By the time the room was empty of people, I felt drained and exhausted, not wanting to hear one more damn word of sympathy or well wishing.

Clarissa went to lie down, leaving me with mother and father, Beta Mathew having stumbled drunkenly back to his own place earlier apparently. "So son" my father said quietly "what are your plans now?"

I gave them a small smile. One that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Well I was thinking" I drawled, glancing at my mother who was pale as a sheet and looking tired "that I would try and replace Amber."

"Of course" my mother murmured "no one knows where she is, so she doesn't know about the funeral or her sister's death" she said sadly.

"Poor thing will be so shocked when she replaces out" muttered my father.

I took a deep breath. "I of course, want to be the one to tell her, I think I owe it to Sophie" I said with a hint of concern "she would want her sister to know. Sophie and Amber were so close" I exhaled, shaking my head regretfully "Amber is going to be devastated when she replaces out." My mother sighed. "I think I might want to go and lie down. It's been a very big day" she said softly, turning to me and placing a hand upon my arm "if you should need anything, anything at all..." she trailed off.

"Yes," father joined in "anything at all you just say the word son."

"I will" I promised them, watching as father took hold of my mother's hand and gently tugged her towards the stairs. I waited until they were gone and then poured myself a bourbon, downing it back in one gulp. It was refreshing but also burnt the throat slightly it was that strong. I poured myself another and sat down on an armchair, folding my legs over. Thank god the funeral was over and done with. I didn't know how much longer I could pretend to play the grieving husband today and thank god I hadn't let anything slip. I sipped at the bourbon thoughtfully. Now all I needed to do was replace Amber and the baby of mine she was carrying. That shouldn't be too hard and wouldn't my parents be pleased to replace they were expecting a grandchild after all? Even if it was from a person they least suspected.