Chapter 262: A Final Wish
Benjamin’s POV:
“You can tell me, Grandpa. I’ll remember it, I promise.” I held back my tears, squeezing my grandfather’s hand as I made the vow. He looked toward the door, asking, “Has Hayz arrived?” I nodded and said, “She’s here, just outside. I’ll go get her.”
Hurriedly, I stood up and found Hayley. “Come in, Grandpa wants to speak with you.”
Hayley’s POV:
I wiped away my tears and followed Benjamin into the room. When I saw George, I couldn’t hold back anymore. My tears came pouring down as I whispered, “Grandpa Southwell.”
I never expected this. Just this morning, George had been speaking to me like usual, and now, he was in this state.
“Hayz, don’t be sad. Don’t worry, Grandpa is alright,” Benjamin said, his voice soft as he tried to comfort me. I hurried over and knelt in front of him. “Grandpa Southwell!”
“You’re a good child, both of you are,” George said weakly, his voice strained but filled with warmth. “I know I may not make it through, but I have one last wish. I need you both to help me fulfill it.”
I didn’t understand what George meant. I exchanged a confused glance with Benjamin before turning back to him. “Grandpa Southwell, what do you need? Just tell us.”
A faint smile tugged at George’s lips as he slowly placed my hand in Benjamin’s. “I hope you two will be together,” he said quietly. “I hope you’ll become the Luha of Midnight Pack. The two of you will protect the Midnight Pack and the Shadow Pack together from now on.”
“Hayz, I’m entrusting the Southwells and Ben to you.”
“Grandpa Southwell!” I choked on my words, but George only smiled softly, his voice breaking as he continued. “Ben is a good boy. I’m at peace knowing you two are together.”
He turned his gaze to Benjamin and said, “Ben, take care of Hayz. Don’t betray her. Even if I’m gone, I’ll still bless you both.”
With those words, George’s breath faltered. I was already crying, my face covered in tears, and I begged, “Grandpa Southwell, please don’t go. Please, I’m begging you, Grandpa Southwell!”
Benjamin’s eyes were red as he looked at George with deep sincerity. “I promise, Grandpa. I promise you!”
Hearing Benjamin’s promise, George seemed to have no more regrets. His eyes slowly closed, and his hand fell limp. “Grandpa Southwell!” “Grandpa!” Benjamin and I clung to his hand, sobbing and pleading, but George never opened his eyes again.
In the emergency room, anguished cries filled the air. Christopher and Henry had finally arrived, their faces filled with disbelief as they stared at the doors to the operating room. Christopher’s voice was hoarse as he asked Tyrone, “What happened?”
Tyrone quickly wiped away the tears from his eyes. “Old Mr. Southwell is gone.”
The simple words struck Christopher like a blow. He staggered and then rushed into the room, falling to his knees, “Grandpa!” Henry followed, and upon seeing the scene, his heart felt as if it had been crushed under a thousand pounds. “I’m sorry, Grandpa. We’re too late.”
George’s passing was so sudden that it left everyone unprepared. The news of the elder of the Midnight Pack’s death spread quickly throughout North Annestone. His sudden death shocked everyone, and the city was in an uproar.
Irving, upon hearing the news, couldn’t accept it. He was almost beside himself. “How could this happen? Why did Grandpa die and not Benjamin? Why?”
“Mr. Irving, it’s already happened. There’s no use regretting it now. We should focus on what we need to do next. Especially with Benjamin—what if he finds out about us?”