Chapter 61: Chapter 61

- Anne's POV -

Tomorrow night will be the Gala Night however, here I am still thinking if I should come or not. A part of me wanted to be against Cyrus, to anger him more but a part of me wanted to stay here at home and do my responsibilities.

Speaking of responsibilities, I could hear my dad coughing while the servants were there, nursing him. I couldn't help but just listen to his groans of pain.

I don't know what to do anymore but accept the cruel truth that my father wouldn't last long in this world and so after a moment of contemplating. I stood up from my bed and went to my father's room which was just beside mine.

When I opened his door, I saw the pack doctor writing something on his record book.

"Young lady, you're still awake." He said.

I watched my dad as he looked at me and smiled pretending to be happy even though he's not.

I then looked at the pack doctor again. "Can we talk for a moment outside?" I asked.

He nodded with a smile and headed outside. I also followed him after giving dad a glance.

"How is he?" I was anxious to know my father's medical condition, hoping that there are changes with his findings... positive changes.

The pack doctor shook his head sadly, "I'm afraid he wouldn't last long, young lady. A maximum of 3 months I think, he keeps on insisting to attend meetings and join a battle if he thinks that his body could handle the moment he feels better."

When the pack doctor said those words, I suddenly felt so down. Dad doesn't want to leave the pack weak and alone. He could just leave his position to his Beta, or someone else reliable. He couldn't handle working anymore, his body is weak and I don't know what he's waiting for.

"Thank you, I'll talk to him." I said and without waiting for his response I headed inside my father's room to see him looking right at the window.

"Tonight... it's so peaceful but the danger awaits." He stated.

I looked to the window as well but turned to face dad when I got closer to his bed. I am trying my best not to cry to him... I am trying my best to compose myself and remain strong despite the truth that my heart wanted to cry out.

"Dad..." I started.

He faced me with a smile, but I knew that, he just faked those smiles to put me at ease. I am not dumb... I may be mad at my father for putting on his masks but I love him as much as he loves the pack because he's my only family left. I still love him and I was mad because of my love for my father.

I sat on the chair beside him, "Can you please... care for yourself? Why can't you pass down being an Alpha? Dad... I need you, please?"

I couldn't help a tear that fell out of my eyes, the tear that tells him how much I love him... I wanted to stay with him for as long as it takes.

The smile faded on his lips as he turned sad and he wiped the tear on my cheek.

"As much as I want to, but I haven't chosen the right person to become the Alpha. Anne... my precious daughter, don't forget that I love you okay? But, how can I leave when I am not at ease with the place I already considered my family? It has been my life Anne and you know that." He softly stated, trying to comfort me.

I nodded understanding him as another tear fell out of my eyes, "C-can't you leave it to me, dad?" I asked.

"No Anne, don't say that. Leading a pack is dangerous... very dangerous. You can't handle it alone." He is highly against it and I could see it clearly.

I don't know if I could still change his mind, "I'm a strong girl, dad, I could handle it. I have seen you leading a pack and I can do it too. Please dad... let me take care of the Slytherin Pack."

"I won't let you, Anne. I can't let you lead the pack alone especially if I'm gone. So you can't be a pack leader, you don't know our people yet Anne, and they won't trust a girl to lead them-." He stated but stopped as he coughed again.

"But Dad... I could, trust me, I can be the pack leader. I will let the people believe in me-"

Dad raised his hand to stop me from talking when he composed himself after coughing multiple times and faced me. He took a deep breath, "D-Don't you think I didn't know what you were doing, Anne?" He suddenly asked, which shocked me.

"W-what do you m-mean dad?" I asked, afraid that he knew.

"I know what you were doing all these years after your mom died." He stated as he looked intensely at me.

"B-but how?"

"You must have forgotten that your father is an Alpha. I've been watching you for a long time... letting you do what you want." He said as he smiled, there was no evidence of anger in his face which made me confused.

"Why didn't you tell me Dad?" I asked as I held his hand.

"When I saw you for the first time... having your training, I was about to stop you but I was the one who stopped." He smiled and looked at the front, "You were so determined to learn... and you were happy learning despite the pain you received. I couldn't take your happiness away from you. You're just like your mom... once I stop you, you will be more eager to do what has been against you." He said, facing me again with a smile.

He kept on smiling while the tears in my eyes wouldn't stop falling, "Oh dad," I said and hugged him as I cried.

He hugged me back as he caressed my back, "Despite how strong you are now, Anne. I wouldn't let you handle the pack, not now that it is in chaos... not that you are all alone."

I faced him with tears, "I am not alone dad, you're here right. You will be with me."

"I know, Anne. I will be with you as long as I can but trust me my child... just trust me." He said.

I pouted, "But you're getting worse every time you workout yourself."

Dad smiled, "I'm not working that much. Alpha Cyrus Roaster is with me, taking care of the pack." He said as he looked at the window once again.

And I knew that he's here. Cyrus.