Sacred Flame: His Enemy, His Mate (BL)-Chapter 61: Where to sleep

Kain Locke

Would it be a good idea to stall around even though the other part of this party, that is the real mourning which I believe the party thing was created in the first place will be starting soon.

Now I couldn’t help but think maybe I should go back to the cabin and wait it out for Irene to come back, after all I knew she wouldn’t leave until she did the necessary rite for her son and his mate. But then again, waiting it out, so I can go back with Irene is going to be a better choice, I never could tell what Kael is going to do, not even with how pissed off he seemed earlier.

It wasn’t as though I was scared of him. Hell no, I’m not, I just don’t want him gripping my hand like he did earlier.

The candles have now been lit and arranged in a way that forms a circle.

Ryan sat cross-legged under the tree, his posture relaxed, but there was something solemn in the way he held his incense stick, the ember at its tip glowing faintly.

Beside him, Irene sat with her hands resting in her lap, her gaze fixated on the basket of fruits at the center of the circle. Karen, too, was there, her expression unreadable as she twirled the incense between her fingers. The fourth person, a woman I didn’t recognize, was silent, her head bowed slightly.

I hesitated at the edge of the gathering, unsure if I should stay or leave.

This wasn’t my grief which means I shouldn’t be here,

But Irene was here, and so was Ryan. I felt an odd pull to stay, even if I wasn’t sure what to do.

Karen was the first to break the silence.

"They were good people," she said, her voice steady, though something heavy lingered beneath it. "They lived fiercely, they loved deeply, and they fought until their last breath."

Irene exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening slightly in her lap.

Ryan spoke next. "We honor them tonight, as they should be honored. Not with sorrow, but with remembrance."

A breeze passed through the trees, making the candles flicker.

The woman beside Karen lifted her incense and waved it slowly through the air before placing it in the center of the circle.

"For Tessa, Mara, Jaden, Orteson and the rest of the people who died protecting this place." she murmured.

Karen followed, bowing her head slightly. "For Tessa, Mara, Jaden, Orteson and the rest of the people who died protecting this place."

Ryan did the same, then Irene, each of them repeating the names in quiet reverence.

I swallowed, shifting uncomfortably.

Should I say it too?

I didn’t know them. I didn’t even know their faces.

But when Irene looked up and met my eyes, her expression soft but expectant, I realized this wasn’t about knowing.

It was about acknowledging.

I took a slow breath, stepped forward, and reached for one of the incense.

"For Tessa, Mara, Jaden... Orteson and the rest of the people who died protecting this place." I said, my voice quieter than the others,

Karen nodded in approval and the mourning continued in silence for a few moments longer and after a while, the basket of fruit was passed around, for each person each person taking a piece,

The practice was a little confusing but I figured it should be something like an offering, a symbol of life moving forward even in the wake of loss.

I held the fruit in my hand, staring at it.

I wasn’t sure what I expected to feel.

But somehow, being here, among them, felt right.

Like maybe, just for tonight, I wasn’t as much of an outsider as I thought.

****

The walk back was quiet, the cool night air carrying the distant hum of voices still lingering near the pine tree Karen and Ryan were still there anyway.

"You did great out there." Irene said as we walked back home.

I glanced at her and let out a small smile. "Not as great or strong as you."

She shook her head faintly, a quiet smile playing on her lips. "It’s nothing great. Just something I have to do. If he was here... he would have wanted me to keep on living. Keep on helping others. That’s the kind of heart he had."

I studied her face, the tired lines, the weight behind her eyes, but her words carried no self-pity. Just acceptance.

"He must be really glad to have you as his mother."

She let out a slow breath, her smile dimming. "I don’t think I did that job so well, though."

"Don’t say that, Irene." I frowned, "I’ve only known you for less than a week, and I know you’re a good and incredible woman."

She laughed, short and dry. "Why would I take such praise, huh?" A sigh left her lips, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her long dress. "And even though Orteson is likely never going to return, but..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "Forget it. You’re right. Alec wouldn’t want me blaming myself."

My steps slowed before I even realized it.

"Alec?" I echoed, my voice lighter than before.

Irene blinked, confused. "Yes. Alec Orteson. My son."

My breath hitched slightly, but I forced my expression to stay neutral.

Alec. That name.

It didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense after all she’d only said she has a son, she never did mention his name.

But the thought had already taken root. So I have to find ways to find an answer to it, therefore, I swallowed, keeping my tone casual. "What, um... what did you say his secondary gender was again?"

She frowned slightly but answered anyway, "An Alpha. Why are you asking?"

I shook my head too quickly. "Nothing."

But my mind wasn’t as dismissive as my words.

Alec Orteson, Irene’s son , was an Alpha, so there’s no way he was the same Alec back in the base. As far as I know, Alec is a Beta, thus it was a coincidence after all.

By the time we reached the cabin, the night had deepened, the only light coming from the glow of the moon but that wasn’t what made me stop in my tracks.

There were people waiting for us.

Not just anyone, from the look of it they were about five people, each one I recognized from the people who had helped chase those men away the other night. They stood in front of the house,

Irene slowed beside me, her shoulders tensing just slightly before she stepped forward. "You’re all here already?"

One of them, the tall man whom I called the leader the other day, crossed his arms. "We waited. Figured you’d be back soon since we don’t want to be a distraction at the mourning." His gaze flicked to me briefly before settling back on Irene.

I exchanged a quick glance with her,

She nodded, "Sorry I keep you waiting... you guys are still outside right?" She asked them.

"We’ll be getting inside soon. But yes, we’re still outside for now."

"Then should I make you tea?"

"No need. We’re fine."

"I’ll be fast, just give me a few minutes to make you guys something."

They wanted to argue, but Irene didn’t give them the chance as she rushed towards the door, opened it and went inside.

The guy flashed me a look. The kind anyone would flash a stranger or intruder, but I couldn’t blame them, these people were already risking a lot with us being here so I just returned their strange gazes with a nervous smile and went to help Irene who was already in the kitchen.

I could tell by the movement and steel touching each other.

This woman surely doesn’t know when to rest.

"What can I do to help?" I asked as I stepped into the kitchen.

Irene didn’t even look up from where she was taking out cups. "You’ll do much better outside this kitchen than inside it."

I groaned. "I’m not that bad."

She scoffed, finally sparing me a glance. "Tell me that after you manage to cook something edible. Now, go to the sitting room and clear out the place for our visitors."

I paused. "Wait... they’re spending the night here?"

"Of course." She said, "They even slept here last night. You wouldn’t know because you were too busy taking care of your Alpha, and they left early this morning to secure the area. As long as you’re here, they’ll be staying too."

I frowned. "Then where am I supposed to sleep?" I had assumed I’d take the chair I crashed on earlier, but with these people around, that didn’t seem possible anymore.

Irene gave me a look that immediately put me on edge. "Are you seriously asking that?" Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "There’s another room available."

She can’t be talking about the room with the basement which undoubtedly belonged to her son, and the only available room after that was...

I took a step back, already shaking my head. "No. I can’t possibly sleep in a room with K—"

She waved a finger in my face before I could even finish. "Your Alpha." Her smile only grew. "And besides, don’t you two have a lot to talk about?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out. Instead, I groaned again, running a hand through my hair. This night was only getting worse.