Chapter 10: Succession of the Alpha

**Benard Walter’s POV** Mrs. Zane's grief was endless, her sobs filling the space like a haunting melody of despair. "My poor Thelma," she choked out, her voice trembling with unbearable pain. "Yesterday, she was so happy, telling me she’d wear her best dress to the party today. How could she be gone now?" "Lucy, stop," Mr. Zane interjected softly, his tone a futile attempt to bring solace. "What's done is done. Dwelling on it won't change anything. We have to move forward." Her cries only deepened, her anguish too great to contain. "I just want to understand why she left us—why, on such a joyful day, she decided to leave without a single word." The sound of heavy footsteps crunching through the forest floor drew all eyes. Rhode emerged from the shadows, his hair disheveled, his clothes soaked as if he had just waded through water. "Mother!" he called, his voice heavy with emotion. Mrs. Zane rushed toward him, wrapping him in a desperate embrace. "Rhode," she whisp