Chapter 7. The Passing

* Isabella *

It was all so sudden, I was not ready. Losing my father hurt so much that it felt as though a big part of me died. I know that he was ill, yet I did not expect that he would leave me in just a matter of hours after we brought him to the family's private cemetery. I should have known that my father's heart and his body had become weak because of old age. The first time we brought him to the hospital was the sign that he was in a fragile condition.

"Goodbye, Dad. This will be the last time I see you but I know that you will always be here for me even though I can't see you. You will always be in my heart, remember that I love you more than anyone in this world. I promise to get stronger and keep our legacy, I promise to protect the people living in our lands and to fight the wolves that hurt your feelings."

I felt the hands of my cousin on my shoulder as I threw the stem of a rose into my father's coffin that was slowly going down the six-foot hole. 

"Isabella, let me stay with you in the Bannister mansion for as long as you need. You can't be left alone as we don't know what the wolves of the South would do."

I looked at Richard and saw the genuine concern written in his eyes. And then into Bernard's face who walk closer towards me. "That is a good idea Isabella, or I can stay with you in the mansion too."

The small smile coming from his lips made me feel a little bit better. "Richard can stay with me Bernard, I don't want to hold you up from your job. I know that you are always busy, you don't need to worry about me."

I could feel his disappointment, however, I can't let him sleep in the mansion as we are in a relationship but are not married. It would have bad implications in the eyes of the people around us. Uncle Rodolf walks towards me.

"Isabella, you are very brave and strong. But let us put an army of hunters around the Bannister mansion, I heard the wolves of the South are trying to get into the territory. This is bad, your father worked so hard and our ancestors as well. I hope as the new Bannister leader you know the role."

I wanted to bite my lips to not say anything bad to him. My father just died but he is more worried about the territory of our lands.

"Don't worry Uncle, I will do my best to keep our lands. The Bannister lands will stay with us, thank you for reminding me of this."

He nodded and took a step back. My Aunt Sandra came forward to hug me and whispered. "I'm so sorry Isabella, none of us knew that this would happen. Richard and the army of wolf hunters will stay with you in the mansion. I hope that would help you ease some of the grief you felt."

"Thank you, Aunt Sandra."

I feel that she was being real this time, unlike most of the days that she ignored me. "By the way, Isabella I want to talk to you tomorrow night. It is urgent that we think of a good plan and the Bannister people should be secured."

My Uncle looked at me with the obvious feeling that he wanted to take my place because I was vulnerable.

"Yes Uncle, let's do that. My Dad would be happy looking at us working together and giving our best effort for his legacy."

He nods his head and holds my Aunt's hand to walk on their way out of the cemetery. A lot of the people working for us express their sympathy and grief for my father's passing. I stayed for an hour more being guided by the hunters and of my cousin. Bernard left and told me that he had an important job to do. I wanted to tell him to stay with me but he seemed to be more cold after hearing my opinion on him staying at the Bannister mansion. Should I just ask him to stay with me and my cousin Richard?

"I'm sorry about Dad, Isabella. My father should give you more time to rest but instead, he is giving you more pressure. It is so unlike him."

I let out a heavy sigh. "It is alright Richard, the safety of our people is significant as well. We have a bad feeling about the comeback of the wolves from the South coming towards here and declaring that these lands belong to them."

"Yeah, that is somehow dangerous cousin. But I have a question. What about the Cold Mountain pack, you have not informed them of Uncle's passing?"

Richard had a questioning look in his eyes as he looked at me. I have kept the death of my father from the wolves of the North. I am not asking for their help, my father is considered to be harmed by wolves and the Cold Mountain pack are the same wolves as the South.

"I don't want them to know, now that I am the new leader of the Bannister hunters. We can strengthen our force and be ready when the wolves of the South come back. I will protect our lands, I made a promise to my father."

One of our fellow hunters leads us to where the vehicles of our army are waiting. "Well, I believe you can do it, Isabella. You are the strongest Bannister right now, and we are here to support you."

I nodded my head towards him and then we headed to the black Bentley that my father owned. The road back to the mansion is filled with silence as I look out to the window and think about the things that I have to do. My father left me with a very important task and responsibility.

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*Alpha Charles*

"What did you just say?"

My brows furrowed as I looked at the sad expression on the warrior's face. "It is true Alpha Charles, Mister Rodolf Bannister has passed away."

Even Beta Lohan is not aware of the news until today. It has been a few weeks since we last visited the Bannister mansion and I was aware that Isabella Bannister is the new hunter's leader and she is not impressed by the friendship I have with his father. 

"Why did we not receive any message from the lady Bannister Alpha? I wonder why that is?"

Beta Lohan look at me. I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head. "She seemed to be avoiding our help, Beta Lohan. The lady Bannister hated my presence, and I was not the one to force my help on anyone. Not even if she is a fragile woman or a strong-willed hunter like Isabella Bannister herself."

There was an amused smile that formed on Beta Lohan's lips. "You are right Alpha, but what about your father? Should we tell him about the sad news? You know that he and the old Bannister had a good relationship and he might consider a visit to the Bannister lands one of these days."

I let out a sigh. "Let me talk to my father. And let him decide on the matter, if he plans to visit the Hunter's land then I have no choice but to let him do that. However, I have to make sure that his safety is a hundred percent guaranteed. You know that the peace treaty between humans and the wolves is now threatened after the passing of the old Bannister. I feel that his daughter is not very welcoming to our kind and I know that my father will not be happy about this news."

Beta Lohan nodded. I refuse to think about her and what situation she would be in right now, however, my mind is suddenly filled with the images of her sad face.

"By the way, does anyone know what is the cause of the old man's death?"

I asked the warrior who was still standing in front of us. "Oh, they said it was a stroke or a heart attack Alpha."

"Hmmm, alright."

I nodded and then thought about my father. He should be informed despite the lack of message from the lady Bannister.