-Tavyra's POV- 

It's Night One of our journey. The sun is long gone and the moon shines down brightly on the makeshift camp. It was about 3 in the morning and I woke up without Zannic next to me. When I went to sleep he was there, but now he was gone. I was surprised he didn't wake me up. He doesn't have lookout shift until Night Two so I had no idea where he could be. Bathroom maybe?

I got up from the sleeping bag and stepped out of the Alpha's tent. I had to adjust my eyes to the slim lighting of the outside. There were sleeping bags scattered everywhere. A few members were snoring lightly and the burned out fireplace crackled every once in a while as it was dying away, but besides that, there wasn't much sound. I looked around for Zannic. I don't know where he could've gone at this time of night. 

Almost on cue, I spotted a large figure looking up at the moon a couple ways away from the camp. I gently stepped over sleeping bodies as I made my way to Zan. He didn't seem to hear me and lost in his own thoughts. I stood next to him, and when I saw his face, it broke my heart. 

There were tears streaming down his face, his eyes were closed, so he didn't see me, his lip quivered like he'd been crying for a good while. His breaths were shaky, but after seeing him from behind, he didn't look like he was crying. I heard him whisper one word, "Momma..." 

Seeing him in this state made my own eyes well up. It was hard for me to see someone as strong and powerful as Zan cry, it was always a weakness of mine. I took a hold of his hand and he immediately grabbed back, almost breaking down just by my touch. His knees buckled and he fell to his knees, quietly sobbing while still holding my hand. I kneeled with him and hugged him as he was going through....whatever was going on.

-Zannic's POV-

I couldn't sleep. Even with Tavyra in my arms, something was making me restless. After another 30 minutes of defeat, I decided to step outside and get some fresh air. I easily slipped from under Tavyra and made sure she was still sleeping so she couldn't worry about me. I've been treating her like crap since we left the rest stop, the least I could do is let her sleep. 

I stepped out of the Alpha's tent, the only tent in the campsite and was greeted with a brisk breeze. The only other person who was awake was the night shift guy and he was poking out the fire. He looked bored. The rustle of the tent caught his attention and he looked up at me. There was an exchange of grunts of greeting and we went on about our ways. I looked around the camp and saw a white figure hiding behind one of the trees. I thought it was an intruder. 

I looked back at the night shift guy and he didn't seem to notice it at all. I guess I have to change the night schedule if this guy missed a white figure like that. I went over to investigate, but when I got to the tree, there was no one there. Now I was on edge. There's someone loose in the camp, who even knew we were coming? It's only been 24 hours. What kind of mockery is this? 

I was about to alert the night shift guy when I hear my name, "Zannic." I turned around and I couldn't believe my eyes. I took another step to look at the white figure a bit more personally. 

"Dad?" Maybe it was the smile on his wrinkle-less face that made him seem so different. I couldn't fathom what was in front of me. That was Father alright, but he looked so much happier. Did I eat some kind of mushroom or something 'cause this is crazy!

Father stepped closer to me, I couldn't believe I was actually seeing a ghost or something. Maybe I'm dreaming. "My son." I couldn't say anything else in response. "Finally where you need to be. In charge."

I shook my head, half in disbelief, and half in sadness, "It's only day two and I think I've made a bad decision." 

"Are you talking about the mission" I nodded my head. He simply chuckled, "Son, you've made me prouder than ever. This is what being a leader is all about, taking a risk whether it's right or not. Rufus wasn't too fond of the idea, was he?" 

I chuckled and shook my head, "Yea, he thought I was crazy." 

"You know Rufus is too by-the-book to get anything done." I had to completely agree with him. I always had mistaken Rufus' calmness and collection for wisdom, but I soon learned that it was just because he got his way most of the time. "Listen, Zannic. I don't care what everybody else tells you. This is your reign and I know you want to do great things with it. Don't let anybody stop you. You have your Beta and your mate and many others behind you. And then me and your mother." 

I looked around, a bit anxious when he mentioned Mom. I haven't seen her in years. I missed her so much. 

"Zannic."  From behind one of the trees, the most beautiful, elegant human came and stood next to Dad. My eyes started to well. I haven't seen her in so long. I tried to reach out and touch her, but she was translucent. 

"Momma.." She was much more beautiful than I could ever remember. She floated her way over to me, her elegant, white dress flowing behind her. She reached out her hand and touched my cheek. I couldn't stop the tears from spilling over. It brought up so many memories of us together. I felt my lip quiver as I enjoyed her touch, "Momma..."

"My son. You've grown up so much. Look at you."  She smiled endearingly at me. I missed her smile, her laugh, her motherly touch. 

"I miss you so much, Momma. I promise you didn't die in vain. I'm gonna make you proud, Momma." 

"Shh." She cupped my other cheek with her hand. I felt so weak and vulnerable. "You have made me proud, son. You've even gone off and found yourself a mate. And she's absolutely beautiful."

I nodded in agreement. I've been treating her like crap lately and I need to stop. Even Mom likes her. I need to treat her like my angel. "She reminds me of you, Momma."

She smiled ever so elegantly."My handsome son. Please do me a favor"

"Anything, Momma. Anything for you."

"The next time we speak, I want you to be able to tell me that you treated your mate the best way you can. Can you do that for me?"

I shook my head, looking in her eyes and trying to remember everything about them, "Yes, I will." My voice sounded shaky at this point and I was definitely mentally and physically tired. 

Her hand came off my cheeks and I suddenly felt extremely cold. She turned back around to Dad and he was holding his hand out for her. Watching them as I was younger, they were always happiest together. As much as I wished Mom and Dad could still give me a hug, I was happy they were together. Every mate pair looked that happy. I want to become that happy with Tavyra. 

I watched them as they held hands and rose to the moon, embracing each other as they went. They were happy again. I hadn't seen Dad smile for years. I can be content now that I know that they're happy. They disappeared like mist in the air. 

That's when reality hit me. My knees were on cold soil. I was in a warm embrace of someone. My cheeks were drying tear-stained. I looked back and realized who was holding me like this. It was Tavyra.

"Ty." My voice really was tired, her head shot up and she had her own tears running down her cheeks, I hugged her, "Why are you crying, hun?"

I cupped her cheek and it was the smoothest thing in existence. She sniffled and spoke quietly, "I didn't know how to help you.." She admitted.  

I gave her a pity smile, "Ty, this is the best thing I could've asked for from you." 

She couldn't help but smile. I hugged her. I loved her touch and her compassion and everything about her. She was the sweetest person I've ever met. There's not a thing I could think about that would make me hate her. I whispered in her hair, "I think I love you..." 

I saw the look of shock on her face. I smiled at her genuinely. "Zan...I..."

I shushed her and hugged her closely, "You don't have to say it back, really, you don't. I just want you to know that, okay?" I kissed her gently. I think my lips are my favorite part of her.