“I went berserk today!” Bea blurts out.
I stop mid-chew. “What?”
She claps a hand over her mouth. “Oops. Sorry. I know you said not to, but I couldn’t help it.” A small giggle escapes her. “It was so awesome. I’m awolf.”
Bea can barely contain herself. She continues chatting excitedly, butnow I feel sick to my stomach. Even though I realized I was wrong about Tala and Isaac and Kris, and know now not all berserkir are necessarily bad, this feels… different.
This isBea. Berserking is still risky, especially for someone so young.
I set my food down slowly. “Really?”
Bea nods multiple times, beaming at me.
She’s a wolf… just like our dad.
But unlike him, Bea isgood. She doesn’t have a bad bone in her body. And being a wolf actually kind of suits her. Wolves are highly social, adaptable, and form strong family bonds. I think of her with all her new friends. She’s already found a pack of her own at Skallagrim. Even if Bea and Dad are both wolves, they’re completely different. He was more of a lone wolf.
And Bea seems so proud of herself, I don’t want to diminish that.
“Wow.” I do my best to smile. “Just be careful, okay?”
“I know, I know,” she says before taking a bite of her food.
By the time we finish eating, Bea has successfully recapped the entirety of her week to me. She’s bursting with energy and excitement, and I’m grateful she hasn’t changed. I’ve been so worried about keeping her safe, I forgot how nice it is to actually spend time together.
My phone buzzes with a text from Patricia.Nearly there!
I can’t help but smile. “Jim and Patricia are arriving soon. Want to go say hi?”
Bea jumps up. “Duh.”
We leave the dining hall, only to be stopped by a hunter before we get far.
Not just any hunter.
Valerie folds her arms across her chest. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“We were going to the gates,” I tell her.
“Our parents just got here,” Bea adds, practically bouncing.
Valerie looks between us, scowling. “You’ll need an escort. After what happened with Idris, we hunters are responsible for securing Skallagrim and guarding the gates.”
Bea pouts, until Valerie quickly adds, “Good thing I can take you.”
“Thank you!” Bea throws her arms around Valerie.
Valerie stiffens, looking like she doesn’t know what to do.
“Bea,”I scold.
“It’s okay,” Valerie says with a smile as she gently pats Bea’s head. “Let’s get going. Don’t want to keep your parents waiting, right?”
“Right!” Bea says, hurrying ahead.
Valerie and I follow her, keeping pace with each other.
“How old is she?” Valerie asks, still focused on Bea.
