Tabitha's POV
The next morning, I went to check on Dad, who was all skin and bones in bed, for the last time.
His muscles had atrophied, and his face appeared aged and gaunt.
The room was thick with the smell of medicine.
I hadn't had the guts to come in here for days, for I knew that once I made up my mind, I would have to let him go.
A heavy snowfall last night blanketed the yard outside.
I pulled back the thick blackout curtains and opened the window, letting sunlight and snow swirl into the room.
I hadn't sensed Dad's wolf for a long time.
Looking at him, I whispered, "Dad, you haven't enjoyed the fresh air for a long time, right? It's winter again, and it's snowing."
My right hand wasn't as nimble as my left one yet, but I could manage basic movements just fine now.
Thus, before I came in, I scooped up a handful of snow and shaped a little snow bunny.
Putting that bunny on the bedside table, I went on chatting with Dad.
"I remember when I was little, we would have snowball fights and build snowmen in the yard every time it snowed. You were always the winner. I once said that when you became too old to walk on your own, I would push your wheelchair while we made snowmen and threw snowballs together... But I guess that day will never come.
"Dad, you've always been so young and handsome in my heart. But today, I suddenly realized that you've aged so much, and your shoulders aren't as broad anymore. You must've been through hell holding on all this time."
I forced a smile, "I'm sorry for being selfish and trying to keep you over and over again. This time is different, Dad. I'm setting you free."
My tears fell on his face as I continued, "Actually, I've known for a while now that you're not my biological father. But I don't care. In my heart, you're always my old man. Even if you're no longer by my side, I'll carry on with the memories you left for me and the lessons you taught me."
After I finished my farewell speech, the doctors entered one after another.
"Tabitha..." one of them hesitated, waiting for my permission.
With tears welling up in my eyes, I instructed, "You may begin."
Then, the doctors switched off the ventilator and pulled out the tubes from Dad's body.
I placed the little snow bunny in his palm, whispering, "Dad, I love you."
The sunlight gently warmed his hand as the bunny slowly melted away into water.
Dad's bony fingers twitched slightly as if he wanted to hold onto that little bunny.
A tear rolled down the corner of his eye, like his final farewell to me.
I murmured again, "No need to worry about me, Dad. I'll be okay without you by my side."
The next second, Dad's heartbeat stopped.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He let go, and so did I.
Actually, I should've done this long ago instead of letting him live without dignity until today.
Derek gently squeezed my shoulder and said softly, "Don't beat yourself up. To him, death's a release."
"I'm fine," I replied. I just wished that in his next life, he'd be happy and carefree.
I kept Dad's funeral low-key, and only a few close friends knew about it.
My grandparents had long passed away, so only my distant relatives showed up.
When the Silver Moon Pack went bust, they chose to keep their distance from us, for they worried that I would beg them to lend me money.
Back then, many of them gossiped behind my back when they heard that I secretly mated with someone.
Some even said that I chose to keep it a secret because my mate was a rogue, and Dad didn't invite them to my mating ceremony because it was too embarrassing.
Now that they found out my ex-mate was Derek, they finally realized how incredibly wrong they were.
Today, they didn't come to mourn for Dad, obviously. Instead, they were trying to get close to me.
Thanks to Rolf and Alvin blocking them off, I didn't have to waste my breath talking to them.
I stood in all black amidst the thick snowflakes. Derek was beside me, holding a black umbrella to shield me from the wind and snow.
Bowing my head, I prayed over and over again, wishing for Dad to rest easy in the arms of the Moon Goddess and for me to find the courage to face whatever challenges lay ahead.