Chapter 26: Embers of the Final Farewell

That night, after they all felt the pack bond break, Rocco knew it was his parents' bond that had broken, and he rushed to his parents with his family. Rocco knocked, but no one came to the door. After a while, they began to worry. Rocco tried to open the door. It opened. He told them to wait in the lounge room while he checked on his parents. When the Alpha arrived at their place, the space was empty and silent. He took a breath and then opened the door.

Rocco returned to the lounge room and told them, "They are not in their room."

Aria thought for a moment, then asked, "Where could they be?"

Rocco looked at his mate, sighing, "I do not know." He glanced past his mate's head and out the window, noticing his parents sitting outside. Rocco told the others to stay put while he went out, and he found his parents cuddling each other's arms under a blanket, sitting on the outdoor lounge sofa.

Rocco knows their parents have passed and are now with the Moon Goddess. Rocco heads back inside after covering them with the blanket for privacy. He sadly informs the family of their parents, tears falling as he does. The entire family is in shock upon hearing this and bursts into tears. They then show respect to the former Alpha and Luna as they gradually come together. There are still sniffles around the room here and there. The pack will miss their parents and the four people who loved them most: Elder Gabriel Lombardi, at 140 years old; Luca's brother, Constantino; and their best friends and former Betas, Stefano and Gianna De Luca.

Rocco then connects with the pack doctors, Cristian and Arianna's kids, Dante and Gabriella, since they retired when they were old enough to take over.

Dante and Gabriella responded, "Yes, Alpha Rocco? He explained the situation to them, and they replied, "We will be right there," breaking the link.

Fifteen minutes later, they heard a car and a van arrive in the driveway. A knock sounded, and Rocco invited them in. Dante, Gabriella, and two other pack members entered. Dante was the first to speak, expressing their condolences: "Alpha Luna and family, on behalf of our family, we are deeply sorry for your loss," he said softly. His sister nodded in agreement, as did the other two pack members who came with them.

Antonio was the next to speak. "On behalf of my family, we thank you for your condolences," he said, wiping away another tear. Gabriella responded, "No worries. May I ask where they are?" Sophia pointed outside and replied, "They are sitting on the lounge sofa in the outdoor seating area." Dante expressed his gratitude as they both moved towards the former Alpha pair.

Fifteen minutes later, they returned inside with tears in their eyes after saying goodbye. Dante then tells Rocco that they are moving them to the pack hospital. Rocco agrees, and with Antonio's, Alessio's, and the other two pack members' help, they assist in moving the former Alpha and Luna's bodies into the van. Rocco then informs Dante and Luna that they will arrive soon, and the others nod in agreement as they try to compose themselves. After that, Dante, Luna, and the others leave for the pack hospital.

Before Rocco and his family left their parents' house, they made sure everything was tidy, safe, and secure. Then they left the house, headed towards their cars, got in, and drove away feeling sad and heavyhearted.

Rocco then realised that he needed to notify the pack and Elder Gabriel. He was not looking forward to it at all.

As soon as they returned to the packhouse, Rocco headed to the office to call the Elder. After telling Dante and the others what he planned to do, they nodded. Rocco sighed when he reached the office, sat behind the desk, and picked up the phone to call the Elder.

The phone rang twice before Gabriel answered. "Hello, this is Gabriel. How may I help you?"

Rocco responded, "Hello, Gabriel. It's Rocco calling."

Gabriel replied, "Rocco, my boy, how are you and the family?"

Rocco answered, "Not good, I'm afraid. I hope you're sitting down, as I have some news," he told the Elder.

"Why? What's happened? Is everyone in the pack alright?" Gabriel asked, worried.

Rocco responded, trying not to cry, "I'm sorry to tell you that my parents passed away last night," he said with a trembling, sad voice.

Gabriel gasped at the news, then asked, "How?"

Rocco replied, "I'm not sure, but I reckon the Moon Goddess called them home. I found them this morning after their pack bonds broke. They were outside on the lounge, snuggling together under a blanket with father's head resting on mother's," he told the Elder, sniffling as he had been crying.

He then tells him he and his driver will be there as soon as possible and asks when the funeral is.

Rocco replies, "I will cancel training for the rest of the week. The funeral will be in the backyard tomorrow morning at eleven," he informs the Elder, who then replies, "Well, in that case, there are a lot of calls to make on your behalf, if you don't mind."

Rocco answers the Elder. "No, I won't mind at all, Gabriel," he says to the Elder. Well, alright, then I will get straight on it and start making those calls for you; then I will be there as soon as my driver and assistant can be there, alright?"

Rocco answered, "Okay, thanks for the help, Gabriel," to the Elder, who tried to stop the sniffles. Still, he could not control it. "No worries, Rocco. I will see you all soon," he informed the Alpha, who answered, "Yes, see you soon," as they said their goodbyes before hanging up the phone.

The most challenging thing Rocco had to do in his entire life was to let the pack know that their former Alpha pair had passed away and was now with the Moon Goddess. He reaches for the pack link and says, "Attention, this is Alpha Rocco speaking." ′ Before continuing with his announcement, he says there will be no further training until further notice. Instead, there will be a mandatory pack meeting for everyone not on patrol duty. There will be no exceptions. An additional announcement will follow Elder Gabriel's arrival, so please continue as you were until then. I want to be left alone for a few hours' he said before breaking the link.

Every pack member responded,' Yes, Alpha!'

His family arrived after Rocco announced the meeting time and went to comfort him, but not before they had seen Dante and Luna. She asked that either Dante or Luna attend the meeting to help answer questions about their parents' passing. Dante said he would, and Luna nodded in agreement with her brother.

Rocco, his family, and Dante then headed to the pack meeting at the hall. When they stepped inside, everyone took every available seat. At the same time, those who had to stand stood at the back of the hall, where the young male pack members made space for the women, children, and older adults. While Rocco and his family sat at the front, waiting and composing themselves. Dante stood nearby on their seats. Rocco then stood up with Luna Aria by his side as they made their way to the platform where his late parents once stood. He then looks at his mate and the rest of the family, nodding their heads in agreement to make the second announcement of the day.

Rocco takes a few deep breaths, then looks up at the packed meeting hall and delivers the hardest announcement that an Alpha has ever had to make in his life. "It is with a sad and heavy heart that the Ferrera family." Rocco paused as Elder Gabriel's assistant helped the retired elder down to the front when their eyes met in greeting, waiting for them to sit down. After Gabriel and his assistant had taken their seats, Rocco continued, announcing that during the night, our former Alpha, Luca and Luna Rosa Ferrera, had passed and joined the Moon Goddess," he informed the pack.

They gasped at the news that their beloved former Alpha pair had passed away during the night. They then waited patiently for more information to come, as the Alpha's other announcement was imminent. "All training activities have been suspended until further notice. I will perform the funeral service at the Ferrera Wolf Pack's Parklands ceremonial grounds. Those who would like to pay their respects to the former Alpha and Luna are most welcome to come. Elder Gabriel has offered to contact the other packs on our families' behalf, letting them know of our parents' passing. We want to thank him for his help in this time of need," he nodded towards the Elder, who returned the gesture. Rocco continued, "Dante has kindly come to answer any or all of your questions if he can." Rocco waved him forward.

Dante stepped forward and answered the questions most of the pack members wanted to ask. "How they passed away was in each other's arms, and the main thing was that they went peacefully in their sleep. Rosa passed away first, followed shortly after by Luca. From natural causes, old age," he explained to everyone, sniffling from crying before continuing, "their bodies will remain lying in state. Pack members can pay their respects to the former Alpha and Luna, then later send them back to the Moon goddess in their own ways, according to their last will, found among their belongings in the private safe in their room. They would like their ashes placed near their family. That is all for now. May the Moon Goddess bless the former Alpha and Luna," he said.

Everyone then repeated the phrase while controlling their emotions, which is more challenging than simply reciting the words.

The night passed in a hush, the pack blanketed in sorrow.