I studied my daughter carefully. She was trying to hide it, but something else was bothering her,beyond the shifting. I gestured to the grass. "Come on. Run some drills with me."
We moved through basic stances and techniques, focusing on strengthening her connection to her wolf instincts. But after several minutes, Elle let out a growl of frustration when nothing happened.
I gently nudged her shoulder. "Your body knows when it's ready, kiddo. Stop trying to force it."
Elle exhaled sharply and rolled her shoulders. "I guess."
I squinted at her, unconvinced. "That's not all that's on your mind, is it?"
She hesitated. "It's nothing."
"Elle," I pressed, my tone firm but understanding.
She huffed and kicked at the dirt. "I saw Rissa at school today."
I tensed at the mention of my niece but tried to keep my tone neutral. "And?"
Elle looked anywhere but at me. "She's fine, I guess."
I frowned. The truth was plain to see. "You don't like hermuch, do you?"
Elle's jaw tightened. "I didn't say that."
I tilted my head knowingly. "You didn't have to."
She looked away, her young face clouded. "I just don't get why everyone is making such a big deal about her being back."
I watched Elle carefully as I processed her words. This was about more than just Rissa rejoining the pack. I crouched down beside my daughter so we were at eye level and rested my forearms on my knees.
"You know you can always talk to me, right?" I said gently. "About anything."
Elle shook her head, her brown hair swishing. "It's stupid."
I nudged her knee with my own. "Try me, kid."
Elle was quiet for a long time, staring at the ground. Finally, she spoke in a whisper. "It just feels weird. She's back, and everyone's acting like it's this amazing thing." Elle's shoulders slumped.
I sensed there was more bothering her, but I let it sit for now. Elle needed time to sort through her feelings. Pushing her would only make her shut down.
"Give Rissa a chance," I said gently. "You don't have to like her, but don't shut her out either. She's still part of this pack, which makes her part of our family. Did she do something to upset you?"
“No.” Elle shrugged, clearly done talking about it. "Whatever."
I wasn’t sure what to make of her reaction. Elle had always been a bit reserved, but this was different. Rissa's return had shaken something loose inside my daughter. I just wished I could figure out what.
I clapped Elle on the back, letting the subject drop for now. "Let's call it for today, all right? We can pick this up tomorrow."
Relief flickered across her face. She turned and headed toward the house without another word, leaving me alone on the training field with my thoughts.
I exhaled sharply and scrubbed a hand down my face. Rissa. Just the mention of her name stirred up a storm of emotions inside me.
I had to admit the truth: Rissa was messing with my head in more ways than one. As alpha, I needed tokeep a level head for the good of the pack. But as a man? I was lost. Utterly, completely lost.
Fur rippled beneath my skin, my wolf clawing to break free. I let the shift overtake me, bones cracking and realigning as I dropped to all fours. The relief was instantaneous, like shrugging off a heavy weight.
I sprinted through the woods, paws kicking up dirt and fallen leaves. The wind whipped through my coat. For a moment, my mind cleared, consumed only by the joy of the run.
But the reprieve was short-lived. Thoughts of Mira crept in, her absence as keen as ever. She would've loved seeing Elle grow into her wolf and would've been there every step of the way. My chest ached with the memory of her. The warmth in her eyes, the certainty in her smile. She had been mine, completely and utterly. My fated mate, my great love.
