Aria's POV
Mateo's funeral was held three days later at Silvermoon territory.
Hundreds of wolves showed up. Alphas who'd fought alongside him at the summit. Pack members who'd served under him. Even some who'd hated him came to pay their respects.
He'd died a hero. Died protecting me. And that meant something to people.
I stood at the front of the gathering, staring at his closed casket, and felt numb. I'd cried so much over the past three days that I had nothing left. Just this hollow emptiness where all the pain used to be.
Zayn gave the first eulogy. Talked about Mateo as an alpha, as a leader, as a warrior. All true. All important. All missing the man I'd known.
Lucian spoke next. Talked about how Mateo had put aside rivalry to help rescue me. How he'd fought beside us at the summit despite having every reason to hate me. How in the end, he'd proven himself worthy of respect.
Then it was my turn.
