Breaking the Bond that Binds.

Chapter 53 - Funeral for a Friend.

I'm going to miss James.  One of my favourite characters.

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Virgil (Pov)

I learned some things about myself in the last two weeks. The sort of lessons that only sink in after being thrown in the deep end, in my case repeatedly. My life is in turmoil once more..is it the third or fourth time I have to start afresh...and fuck...I'm only turn 18.

Foremost, I learned that my wolf is a blood thirsty bastard, with a strong sense of revenge. There are no half measures with his emotions, he loves, he hates, he is an avenging wolf.  I always knew my wolf was wild. I've always kept a tight hold on him but when I let him loose on Nico I didn't realise I would feel the bittersweet satisfaction so deeply. It was very much a shared revenge but it was also terrifying.

Another thing I understand a lot better now is that the Pure Bloods can buy anyone or any organisation. With Paul's help I was found wondering around the park by joggers and that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I've become a good liar. It was the story I was supposed to tell the police and not deviate from...the kidnapper left me sometime in the night and I wondered out of the tunnels to eventually be found by passers by. Paul's Lieutenant was with me like a shadow, clearing a path for me where ever I went, who ever I spoke to. I had one interview after another with the police, doctors examined me and magically every report and document was laundered until it sparkled.

The personal aftermath of that horrible night is a totally different story. Nothing could be cleaned up quick, or resolved simply. I couldn't bear to stay in the house even for an hour. When I went to get some clothes,  I ran passed James' room because I couldn't stand the sight of it even with the door closed.   I threw anything I could find into my backpack and ran out of the house. I don't think I even took a breath while I was in there, as if the air was still contaminated. I haven't been back. I've been staying in a crappy motel since then.

Kevin is a mess and as hard as I try to console him there is nothing I can really do for him.  His grief is so deep and profound I don't know how he lifts his head off the pillow each morning. He has no plans to reopen the shop. He's planning a trip to see his brother on the other side of the country to find some solace.

The funeral was yesterday. Kevin decided to go big and the funeral was at the Catholic church on the same street as the shop. James wasn't remotely religious but his dad wanted to give him a big send off.  The place was packed with friends, family, customers and probably dozens of ex lovers. James had so many friends, so many people that cared about him. I'm choking up thinking about it. Even old school friends from interstate came as a sign of respect.  Fuck...all day his face kept popping in my head, memories replaying.  I managed to hold off the tears for most of the day.  Bit my lip through the eulogises but I lost my shit when Kevin stood beside the coffin and kissed his boy goodbye. There was no holding back the tears then.  We lifted up the coffin on our shoulders, I'm pretty sure all the pallbearer were crying just like me  as we carried him out of the church. 

What I realised as I walked out of the church was that James was the first person I truly loved unconditionally and of my own choice.   As twisted as our beginning may have been the friendship had grown. I loved him not because he was family and I was obliged to, or because of a  Lycan biological imperative to mate but because we got along, and we had things in common. Perhaps he was a little flawed but he was a constant in my life. He was always there when I needed help. He tried to make me happy....how lucky was I to know him. I'm going to miss him like hell. Fucking bloody James why did you have to leave me.

There are a couple of other things I realised I need to do and that is why I'm here. The plane will be landing in 20 minutes.

.....

I always hate it when the plane lands and everyone stands straight away. No one is fucking moving but we all stand there like idiots squashed together like sardines. I'm feeling nervous. I haven't heard from Paul since that night and I haven't spoken to Damien for weeks so I hope this doesn't blow up in my face. I got a plane ticket on impulse because I couldn't stand another night in the motel looking and the frigg'in walls, I was going mad.

We are finally moving, then out of the plane, across the walkway and into the terminal. I look around to check which way to go and there...OMG...there is my Man in Black impersonator  and one of his offsiders. I have no idea how he knew I was coming,  probably his spies have  been watching me but I'm not pissed off. In fact, the opposite. The sudden relief I felt was like a warm fuzzy feeling running through me.   I rushed at him like a lunatic and through my arms around his shoulders and proceeded to burst into tears. Big huge sobs that I had stored up for weeks. I hadn't realised how much I needed a friend until that moment. I laugh/cried when I saw the expression on his lieutenants face...obviously the menacing the PA with the icy glare doesn't get hugged often.

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