-Tavyra's POV-

The cemetery gave off almost a haunting feel to it. Like I could feel the spirits radiate off of the tombstones. And there were many of them. It was obvious this cemetery has been around for who knows how many generations. I walked past the front gates with Montavius in the black dress shirt I bought at the store and black dress pants. The sun was still high in the air but it still made the earth rather chilly. The fallen, dying leaves on the ground crunched under everyone's feet as they trudged to the first burial site. Alpha Zane's. 

We headed all the way to the back where the bloodline graveyard lay. There were maybe five or six tombstones back here, but there was plenty of room for the few. In fact, it was a whole other section itself, closed off with fences and everything. It was a graveyard within one. As we walked past the second gate, I saw the hole prepared in the ground for Zane, next to one of the more recent tombstones. The engraving read, 

"Here Lies Luna Annie Tyler

A Wonderful Mother and Wife

May Her Death Not Be In Vain

RIP"

It sent chills down my spine thinking about it.  

Alpha Zane's body laid beside the prepared burial site, not in a coffin but on a raised platform for his body to lay, his arms across his chest and his eyes closed. Whoever the embalmer was did a pretty good job, because if I didn't know any better, I would've thought he was sleeping in a nice tux, red tie, and dress pants and shoes. 

The crowd was getting bigger and bigger as time passed. I mostly stayed closed to Montavius, helping the grievers and talking to some of the pack members. I wasn't exactly focused on the conversations, I was more looking around for Zannic. He'd yet to respond to my texts. I even talked to Tyson and he said he didn't speak to him either. I was worried. Maybe I was worried about the fact that he'd never speak to me again, or maybe I was worried about him being okay. I couldn't tell if I was being selfish or not, but I felt my heart skip a beat when I did see him. 

He was wearing his own suit, black from head to toe. His hair was slicked back, showing more of his facial features and putting his bruises and scars on for show. There was no doubt his eye was only mostly open and his skin on his cheek was turning blue, but that seemed to be covered with concealer. 

Even though his face was still looking beaten up, the rest of him looked rather cleaned. Polished and almost shining in the afternoon sunlight. The biggest thing that I noticed on his outfit was the indifferent look on his face. Like he was being more headstrong that he should. 

He walked through the gates and did not talk to anybody, simply made his way over to the burial site and looking from his father's body to his mother's gravestone. I wanted to go up to him and comfort him so bad, but I felt he still needed his space. He didn't even look like he wanted to be here. 

I rocked back and forth on my feet, antsy to go over and hug him and make sure he's alright. Just as I had grown the courage to do it, Rufus beat me to the punch. 

He stood rather close to Zannic, probably whispering in his ear about something. I sighed and tried to focus on the conversation Montavius was having with a pack elder, but I wasn't very that interested. I was more interested on what my Alpha was talking about. 

-Zannic's POV- 

"Here Lies Luna Annie Tyler"

I haven't visited Mom's grave in a while. It's been too long. I kept reading her name. Dad wanted to avenge her through Tavyra. I simply thought to myself, hoping my mother could hear, "But Tavyra didn't kill you, Ma. You have Dad with you now." 

I felt a presence come up beside me and I felt my wolf howl heighten out of fear. I didn't want to jump because most of the pack was here, but I didn't know who this was. I looked and saw it was only Rufus. I knew I wasn't scared of Rufus, but why didn't my wolf recognize him? 

"The ceremony's starting soon." He told me. 

I simply nodded, "Uh huh." I wasn't really in the mood to talk right now, but Rufus was the closest thing I had to Dad right now. Besides his corpse laying next to Mom's grave. 

Knowing Rufus, he would've comforted me by putting a hand on my shoulder or something, but he didn't do that this time. Maybe he knew I didn't feel like being touched, "Your father was waging war against the rouges." I guess getting right into was the best way to handle this information. "There's a rather large sanctuary camp about 67 miles North of here. Me and your father have scouted it out and if they wanted to attack us with the force they have. They'd win." 

I took in the information. That's why we've been seeing so many rouges lately. They are going to attack soon. We would have to get them off their guard. Catch them by surprise. But how? 

He continued, "This is your decision now. We could remove all forces and negotiate peace with them. A treaty if you will. Such as the Treaty of Versailles or something of the sorts." I know what a treaty is. "But whatever you decide to do. We will carry out your orders." There was a moment of silence between us as I thought about how I should go about this. And I think I have the perfect idea. "Oh, and do me a favor." I looked at him to show him I was listening. 

 "Would you mind speaking on behave of your father?"

I thought for a moment. I already volunteered to speak at the other pack member's funerals, but my fathers? Could I do it? I simply told him, "I'd be speaking at all three funerals." 

He nodded, "That is correct. But this is your father. Just tell say some good things about him and a final goodbye. It won't take long and it's good for you to let go of things." I didn't answer him. He was right, but I didn't want to admit that. He took my silence as my answer and patted me on the back, "See ya up there. You'll do fine." 

I shook my head. I didn't want to, but he was right, what choice do I really have? I was the only family he had left. "Oh and Zan?" I turned around to the sound of Rufus' voice calling me, "Talk to Tavyra." 

Tavyra. 

I didn't wanna say I forgot about her, but I've yet to bring her feelings into all of this. She's probably fine. She'd understand that I need some time to myself, right? She has to understand, she's my mate. 

-Tavyra's POV- 

The ceremony was half over, pleasant words were said, many tears were shed, and as we walked past Alpha Zane's body, Zannic didn't even look. He simply walked by, as tense as could ever be. Rufus was leading the ceremony and I believe we were on our last speaker, "And now, Alpha Zannic." The crowd was silent as Zan stood up from his seat at the front and walked up to the podium. I kept my seat near the back where Montavius sat as I watched his demeanor. Trying to make sure he was okay. 

Zan wiped his mouth and held a long pause before he spoke. "Ladies and Gentlemen." This was the first time I've heard him talk in days.  "It is with my sadness to see my father laid to rest. He was an amazing father and husband to this pack..." He bowed his head as he talked, thinking for a moment, "Actually no. Those are lies." There was a quiet mummer that began, "Once Luna Annie died, everything went to Hell from there. He stopped being a father and a husband and simply threw his rage anywhere he could. He became a bitter, depressed widower, who, obviously, has no control from hitting his only son." There were a few gaps floating through the crowd. Even I was shocked he'd say such things about his father like that. I knew they didn't have the best relationship, but damn. 

"But he was still great." Everybody was listening on the edge of their seats, trying to understand what he was getting at, "He protected this pack with all he could. I watched him, with my own eyes, save a child in that ambush. And he probably saved many more. And I aspire to fill his shoes as my reign grows longer." There was a pause. Everybody hanging at his every word, "These filthy Rouges will no longer cause harm to this pack. I will not allow it. That is why I want to create a militia." More members were talking among themselves, discussing this news, "They will come with me on a mission to destroy the very camp that house these bastards." 

I saw a woman cover her children's ears as Zannic continued to curse. "We're not letting those bastards get away. Not this time. This time, we fight back." People began to stand up and clap, enjoying the idea just as much as Zan did. Was I the only one to think this was a crazy idea? Zannic finished up his propaganda speech, "Their deaths will not be in vain. Thank you." 

Zannic walked off the podium, as calm as he walked on. I got up from my seat to follow him.