-Zannic's POV- 

The minute we walked into the pack hospital, all eyes were on us. I was fine with it, but I felt Tavyra tighten her grip on my hand she was holding. I tried to tighten it enough to meet her, trying to tell her it was gonna be okay. I took the first step forward to the receptionist. Some people bowed as we passed. Some looked away. I had a weary feeling. People only responded like that when my father walked past. 

I stepped up to the receptionist. She happened to not notice us until I put my hand on the counter. She stood up hastily, dropping some papers on the ground and knocking over her coffee. She refused to make eye contact with me as she cleaned up her mug and picked up some papers.

"Zan." 

I turned and saw Rufus standing next to the door to Father's room. He waved me over and I followed. Even he had a grim look on his face. I made sure Tavyra was still behind me as I approached him, "Is everything alright?" 

Rufus replied with neither a yes or a no. My chest began getting tight, "Your father wants to speak with you." 

I was both relieved and nervous. What could he want? He's in the hospital on the verge of death. What could be so important when he should be getting better. Rufus stepped aside and let me and Tavyra in. I heard the door close behind us, but that was much less important to me as I heard the heartbeat monitor hiccup every couple of moments. Thank God he's alive. 

I rushed to his side as he raised his hand for someone to grab it. He was still laying flat on his back, his skin looked as lifeless and as dead as his eyes were. There were weak, sad groans coming from in between his lips. When I came into his view, I felt him grip my hand with as much energy as I could. "Dad..." Was all I could say. 

"Zannic...I need you to listen..." His voice was breathless and the breaths he did take were shallow and seemed painful, "My wolf is dying...and there's no chance I'm gonna make it..." 

I gripped his hand harder in panic, "Dad, don't say that. They're gonna take care of you!" 

"Don't talk over me, boy. It hurts already to breath." He scolded me. Even on his death bed, this was the father I had known.

"Sorry..." I muttered in apology. I guess I didn't want to put him into even more discomfort. 

"A strong pack....cannot be without its leader...I need you....to step into my place....as Alpha." He told me. 

"Alpha? Dad, I don't wanna take the position this way. You're not dead yet, maybe--" I was pleading with him. I feel like he's simply giving up on the pack. On me. 

"My time...is up...Rufus...will be there to guide you...and me and your mother...will be watching over you...my son." 

I felt hot tears running down my cheek. There seemed to be more than expecting because they were falling down my arms and over the hand in which I held his. "Dad...I need you. I can't---" 

"Stop saying you can't...I've raised you...your entire life...for this moment...and every moment after...Rufus...will fill you in on the war...You are the Alpha...of this pack now...I know you will do great things..."

I shook my head when I realized, I'm not ready for any of this. I wanted my father still here, whether he gave me a shiner or not. "Dad..." Was all I could get out of my mouth.

I felt a rather tight grip on my hand as my father spoke his last sentence, "I love you...Zannic..." The last word barely above a whisper. His hand slipped out of mine, he let out his last breath, and the light finally disappeared from his eyes. The heartbeat monitor flat-lined. The haunting constant beep rang in my ears as I looked for any sign of life on my father's face. There was none. 

The door started to open and a nurse, doctor, and Rufus stepped in, closing the door behind them. The only reaction I could manage was to turn around and hug Tavyra, tears still streaming down my face as I let out the sobs. I felt her rubbing my back in comfort. 

The doctor called the time of death and that really shook my heart. I stood there for another 5 minutes. The tears had stopped and I felt numb inside. Tavyra had to check up on me, "You alright?" I simply looked at her, unable to answer. I turned to Rufus, seemed to read my mind. 

He stepped forward, giving me a hug, muttering in my ear as he did, "Your father will be buried with the others killed in the ambush. We will talk and I will fill you in afterwards." I gently nodded and he stepped back, offering his hand in a handshake and I took it, "Welcome, Alpha Zannic." 

The doctors and nurses who occupied the room bowed and gave the same greeting, "Welcome, Alpha Zannic." I stared at them. I didn't know how to feel. Relief? Pride? Sadness? I gave up trying to find any feelings. I nodded back in acknowledgement and grabbed Tavyra's hand. I walked her out of the room and I just wanted to go back home. Everybody was staring, even almost at the door, I could still hear the flat-lining of the heart monitor. I don't know if it was actually able to be heard, or if it was a memory. 

I felt like my feet were carrying themselves. Carrying an empty, lifeless body. 

The walk seemed long, but short. Like I couldn't get there fast enough, however, it seemed to take an eternity. I stepped through the door of the pack house. Everybody was lined up down the hall, all eyes were on me once again. I kept a groan from slipping past my lips as I stopped at the door. Kristy, Tyson, even Avery was standing in the lineup. I felt self-conscious. Instead of showing my discomfort, I straightened my back, looking down on the rest of them. 

All at once, almost like robots, they  all said, "Welcome, Alpha Zannic." 

I didn't think I should say anything. I pushed by all of them and up the stairs, Tavyra still behind me. I wanted to get out of the public eye, these introductions were helping nothing. 

I closed the door behind us and sighed heavily. I felt Tavyra's hand on my back and I immediately tensed up, like I almost forgot she was there. Well, I might've. An unintentional growl erupted from me. I turned around and saw Tavyra cower away from me. I simply watched her back up from me. I didn't feel any remorse or regret as I watched fear spread through her body. I almost felt...justified...

She opened her mouth and even her words were trembling, "I-I think I'm gonna sleep downstairs tonight..."

I did not protest. I simply watched her grab a blanket and pillow from my closet and leave. She didn't look at me once. 

-Tavyra's POV-

I closed Zannic's door behind me and I couldn't stop the sob coming through. I tried to calm down my tears,  but I couldn't. I must have been rather scared of him. He's never growled at me before like that. I feared for my life. I went downstairs to the couch and set up my makeshift bed. Hopefully he'll feel a bit better by morning. 

I cried myself to sleep that night.