True Alpha’s Chosen Mate

Chapter 126 – Burial II

"Lu — luna… do you know who Abner is?" 

I snapped my eyes at Ivo, who had this aghast expression. They all had this same expression, so I was even more confused. 

"No?"

"Abner is the previous grand duke." This time, Hugo spoke in a dead tone. "He is the previous grand duke, and he is already dead."

"…" I pressed my lips into a thin line and glanced down at the cub. "Will Bowie accept Abner's skull?"

"Luna, what the hell?" this time, Mitch couldn't contain himself as he hollered from his vantage point. "Why are you talking to that cub?! Did you lose a few screws because of fear?!" 

"What?" I frowned because Mitch was surely a bully. 

"Rinrin, why are you talking to that cub as if you are having a conversation? And who told you about Abner?" I flinched when Hugo's voice felt chilly, making the hair behind my neck raise. 

My mouth opened and closed, but then recalled the mother bear's words. I was the only one who could hear her. I didn't think much about it and thought of it as a metaphor. But to think… she meant it literally. Then, did that mean Hugo and the pack couldn't hear the cub's voice?

'Mama…' I gazed down at the cub as he called worriedly. 'Are you going to be in trouble?'

"Maybe…?" I shook my head before raising my eyes to Hugo. "Hugh, this cub is the one who mentioned Abner. Please believe me."

"That cub…? And how did it tell you if it can't even speak?"

"I… I don't know." I breathed out, realizing this was something hard to believe for others. Hugo was doubtful, and I couldn't blame him. After all, they've been fighting the bears.

'Mama… '

"Ugh..! Ivo, and everyone, don't disclose this to anyone. If a word comes out, I will only go to everyone who was in here." I raised my brows and looked at him wide-eyed. Hugo looked annoyed while ruffling his hair, but… he seemed to believe me in a way. 

Why?

'Mama… is Papa not angry anymore?' 

"Huh??" I blinked countless times, gazing down at the cub once again. "Papa?"

I looked up and caught Hugo looking back at me with an arched brow. For reasons unknown, how the cub called him 'papa' brought this strange excitement to my heart. It sort of… suit him and not at the same time, knowing his temperament. 

"Bambi, why are you looking at me that way?" he asked, and I smiled, forgetting that Hugo still hadn't believed me completely.

"Hugh, I think this cub thinks we are his parents now." I stroke the black bear as my eyes softened. "He calls me Mama, and he calls you Papa. Isn't he adorable?"

When I cast Hugo a quick look, his entire face froze. "Papa?" he pointed at himself, gazing at Ivo as if to confirm if he heard it correctly. 

"Luna, how can a bear call a wolf his father? Also, it's not because I truly believe this entire situation unfolding, but can you really hear what that bear is saying? I mean, just maybe, you are simply hearing things?" Ivo scratched his temple, as this seemed to rattle him in a way I didn't know it would.

'Mama, this uncle is scary.'

"Ivo, he calls you Uncle." I smiled and saw Ivo's expression froze up. "You don't understand, but he is very kind and such a sweetheart. Even his mother is kind. It was such a shame that we cannot save her. I was certain she will get along with everyone."

I looked back at the black bear several meters behind me. My eyes softened as a subtle smile appeared on my face. Our meeting might not be a coincidence, perhaps there was a reason. Whatever reason it was, I had no idea. But… I would surely figure it out later. 

"Rinrin, I will allow you to take that cub back to the castle. However, he can only stay in one room until I was certain he is harmless." I turned my head back to Hugo as he spoke. "For now, let's focus on the burial of your friend. We'll talk later."

"Mhm." I nodded, closed-lipped. 

"Ivo, come with me. We need to see how this guardian died." Ivo waved, shifting his attention to what mattered first. 

As Ivo and Hugo approached the mother bear, I remained on my spot while hugging the cub. All I could do was watch everyone do everything for this burial, even though it was my request. They didn't even ask me to help. 

'Mama… are you sad?' I gazed down and smiled bitterly.

"Not really. I just feel… useless," I whispered.

'Mama is not useless. You're taking care of me.'

I kept my smile and stroke him lovingly. "Let's rest under the tree. We'll send your mother off properly once they are done, alright?"

Hours had gone by and with everyone's help, they finally created a burial mound for the one-eyed bear. They even put small stones around it and a wooden cross sign to hang the garland Tito created. Surprisingly, Tito had a knack for doing more feminine things, even though he looked buffed. 

I bent over, letting the cub go so it could approach the burial mound of his mother. Watching him, my eyes softened. Hugo and everyone were three steps behind me. I was glad they were here to attend the funeral. 

"May you find peace in the afterlife," I whispered, linking my hands together in front of me to pray. I closed my eyes. "May God bless your soul."

I prayed for the salvation of her soul before I slowly opened my eyes. When I did, my eyes fell on the cub who was looking back at me. I smiled, motioning him to come over. 

"Let's go?" I said, squatting down to welcome him back to my embrace. Keeping it securely in my arms, I looked back at everyone. To my confusion, they were staring at me with narrowed eyes.

"Hugh?" I called, and that was when he snapped his eyes. "Is there something wrong?"

"Uh… nothing. Yes… it's nothing. Let's go back.." He sounded a bit off, but I ignored it and followed him back to the castle.