Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Eric’s POV

I couldn’t sleep.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Evie

She looked so pale and was still, wrapped in that blanket with her unicorn placed beside her. Her favourite unicorn that she had offered to Tiffany. That image had burned itself into my memory, and now it played over and over like a loop in my mind.

I turned to the other side of the bed, trying to calm my mind, but it was impossible.

The time was 2am according to the clock on the wall.

Zara was sleeping beside me, breathing steadily and peacefully. She was totally unbothered, unlike me.

I stared at the ceiling for a few more minutes, then I sat up and reached for my phone.

I had to do something, anything, even if it was too late.

I scrolled to Beta Jeremy’s contact and hit dial.

He picked up on the third ring with a groggy voice. “Alpha?”

“I need a proper burial arranged,” I said quietly. I glanced at the sleeping Zara and lowered my voice. “For Evie”

There was silence for a moment. “For… Evie?” he asked slowly, like he wasn’t sure he had heard me right.

“Yes,” I said softly. “It needs to be dignified. She’s the daughter of an Alpha. She should be buried on pack grounds. The same place where my parents were buried.”

Jeremy was quiet for a moment longer. “Of course,” he said. “But Alpha… are you sure?”

“I’m sure. Make sure everyone attends.”

Another pause. “You want everyone to attend? The Elders? The pack?”

“Yes,” I exhaled. “She was the daughter of an alpha. Everyone must come and pay their last respects.’

Jeremy still sounded surprised, but he didn’t ask any more questions. “I understand. I’ll begin the arrangements in the morning.”

I nodded. My throat tightened again.

“I only wish Iris could be here. After carrying Evie’s pain alone for a long time, she deserves to see her daughter laid to rest the right way.” Jeremy said softly.

I closed my eyes. “So do I.” I said unconsciously, not meaning to say it out loud.

I ended the call, and I set the phone down. I sat in silence for a few seconds, my mind raced with several thoughts.

Behind me, I heard Zara shift. A second later, her voice shattered the silence.

1/3

Chapter 31

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“Are you seriously planning a burial ceremony?”

I didn’t turn to look at her.

“She’s already been buried, Eric. Iris did it her way. You want to dig her up and do it again. What’s the point?”

I clenched my jaw and slowly turned toward her. “The point is that she was my daughter. And she had Alpha blood.”

Zara narrowed her eyes. “So is this about appearances?”

“No,” I said sharply. “It’s about giving her the respect she deserved. She died without her father by her side. She was buried alone without her pack, and without honor.”

“She was a child, Eric,” Zara said, sitting up now. “She wouldn’t have cared about pack rituals or where she was buried.”

“She deserved better,” I said, voice low. “She deserved her father there. She deserved everything I didn’t give her. Regardless of her mother’s sins.”

Zara was silent.

“I don’t care if it’s late,” I said. “This is the least I can do now.”

Zara furrowed her eyebrows. “Eric, this won’t change anything. She’s gone.’

My jaw clenched. “I know she’s gone. I saw her body in that coffin.” My voice broke.

She leaned forward slightly. “Then what is this? Do you think that burying her properly will make you feel better?”

I growled. “No. But it’s better than doing nothing.”

She stared at me for a long moment before scoffing and shaking her head. “Fine. Do whatever you want.”

She laid back, facing away from me with an annoyed huff.

I sat there, staring at the wall blankly. There was nothing I could do that would make it up to Evie, but I couldn’t just do nothing.

My phone rang, bringing me out of my thoughts.

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