Rissa perched on the edge of the bed and glanced over at me. "We talked about Elle's power."
"Her empathy?" I said. "I figured it out years ago. I wasn't sure when the right time to talk to her about it was, though."
"Yeah, it's time. She's ready." Rissa took a deep breath. "As you heard, we also talked about Mira."
My stomach clenched at the mention of my late mate. I nodded but didn't trust myself to speak, yet.
"Elle told me she barely remembers her," Rissa continued gently. "And that she doesn't ask because she doesn't want to make you sad."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. All this time, I thought keeping Mira's memory tucked away was protecting Elle. Now I saw it for the mistake it was.
I clenched my fists at my sides, realizing I had failed Elle in a way I never intended. "I thought I was doing the right thing," I admitted, my voice rougher than I meant it to be. "But I should've been telling her about her mom every chance I got."
Rissa stepped closer, studying me carefully. "She needs to know her mother, Nathan. And you're the best one to give thatto her."
I dragged a hand down my face, recalling all those lonely nights I spent staring at pictures of Mira, consumed by grief. And all the while, Elle was growing up without those stories, without those pieces of her mother.
"I'll fix it," I said finally, emotion straining my words. "I'll tell her everything."
The corners of Rissa's mouth lifted slightly. "I think she'd really like that."
I exhaled slowly, the weight of my own mistakes pressing down on me. "Thank you for being there for her. Even when she didn't make it easy."
Rissa's hand found mine, her touch gentle but reassuring. "She's a good kid. Strong, like her dad."
I squeezed her hand, gratitude swelling in my chest. Having Rissa here, supporting me, supporting Elle, meant more than I could say.
My wolf stirred again, urging me to pull her closer, to claim her as mine. But I resisted. I wasn't ready for that step. Not yet.
Instead, I met her gaze, letting her see the sincerity in my eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Riss."
She smiled then, a real smile that lit up her face.
“I’ll be back,” I said quietly. “I don’t want to wait to tell her I’m sorry.”
I stepped into Elle's room, the soft glow of her bedside lamp illuminating her peaceful face as she slept. Crouching down beside her bed, I gently brushed my hand along her arm. "Hey, kiddo. Wake up."
Elle groaned, shifting under the covers before blinking up at me with sleepy eyes. "Wha'?"
My gaze fell on the picture of Mira on Elle's nightstand. I hesitated for a moment before picking it up, my heart squeezing with a familiar ache. But this time, it didn't shatter. I looked back at my daughter, determination filling me. "I should've told you more about your mom."
Rubbing her eyes, Elle sat up straighter. "Dad?—"
"I'm sorry, baby girl," I said quietly. "That changes now. I'll tell you anything you want to know."
Elle stared at me, her brown eyes so much like Mira's that it stole my breath. Then, slowly, she nodded. "I want to knoweverything."
Pulling her into a tight hug, I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "We'll start tomorrow."
Elle's gaze drifted past me as I released her, landing on Rissa, who stood in the doorway. To my surprise, my daughter climbed out of bed and walked over to her, hesitating only a heartbeat before wrapping her arms around Rissa's waist.
Rissa's eyebrows shot up, but she quickly returned the embrace, holding Elle close. Something warm unfurled in my chest as I watched them. My daughter had just accepted Rissa into her life, into our family. And that meant everything.
When Elle stepped back, she mumbled a quick "Night" before clambering back into bed.
Rissa and I exchanged a glance, a wordless understanding passing between us as we slipped out of the room and into the hallway. With each step toward my bedroom, the pull between us grew stronger, more insistent.
I wanted her. Every part of me craved her touch, her taste, her scent. Yanking her into my arms, I growled against her lips. “If you don’t want this, say so now.”
