Until I remembered my father turning on me—when there was something wrong with me. I’d been too young then to know about Fenrir’s existence, or the power he carried with him.
I moved on to psychological reports and academic papers on the impact of rejection and the absentee father, which inevitably led me to single-mother parenthood.
As I sat there, contemplating where I came from, the thought of anyone harming my children—or bullying them for being different, wolf or hyena—turned my blood cold.
Two little babies.
My babies.
Rejected by the world.
I exhaled the breath I’d held onto.
We protect with our lives, Fenrir growled.Our pack is our purpose—our legacy.
Do you remember everything?I asked, feeling dull and empty as the words formed in my mind.
I remember it all—from being awake inside your mother to the day I spoke at her funeral.
I can’t keep her on the island forever.
No.
Her family won’t reject our children…
You’ve watched them as much as I have.
They were simple people, leading ordinary lives—family-oriented.
There were no ifs or buts. I needed to be with my children. They wouldn’t grow up without us.
Finally, Fenrir sighed.
Dickhead. You could have helped me understand, I snapped back.
All of my words would have been refuted—and you know it.
I didn’t spiral, and he didn’t lecture. He’d known me my entire life—better than anyone. I didn’t dispute his words because he was right.
I opened the drawer and took out the ultrasound photo. It was small, but that hadn’t stopped me from snagging a copy before Lielit took most of them. I ran my finger over Baby A, then B. They looked so… delicate.
In my line of work, children were leverage. Pressure points to be exploited and never given a second thought.
And now, this single image felt heavier than any dossier I’d ever held. It tugged on something that I never thought I’d feel.
Weakness.
???
The evening came and went. I walked, smoked, paced, then lay in bed wide awake.
Every problem had a solution.
And there was only one thing left I could offer her.
On my terms.
???
