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It was warmer than the day before, but the wind cut sharp.

A block over, a small park sat tucked between buildings. A bench rested beneath a tree across from a small playground. Charlotte dropped onto it, elbows on her knees, hands clasped tight.

A group of kids tore past her in a blur of motion, their laughter pealing through the air. A little girl with bouncing curls lagged behind, working hard not to be left out.

Charlotte watched them longer than she meant to.

She hoped someday Lilah would stop chasing after everyone else’s path. There was a path all her own waiting for her. There always had been.

Charlotte’s teeth ground together. This would just set her back, make her even more timid and afraid. A life Charlotte never wanted for her.

Nearby, an older blonde girl lifted the smaller one into a swing. The little girl shrieked with laughter as her sister pushed her higher, curls flying, joy echoing through the park.

“That’s a sight that brings back memories.”

Charlotte went still, line of sight fixed on the scene, refusing to acknowledge him.

James sat beside her anyway.

“It doesn’t seem so long ago that you were the one pushing Lilah,” he said, pulling a little square of fabric from a pocket. “Making her swear to hold on so she wouldn’t fall.”

He removed his glasses and wiped the lenses with care.

“We do have a lot of love in this family.”

He squinted at the glasses, then added casually, “Should I wear the cornflower blue tie or the navy one to the wedding? I keep flip-flopping.”

Charlotte snorted despite herself and rolled her eyes.

“We have been over this.”

“Have we?” he asked, holding his glasses up to the light, checking for smudges.

Her anger began to bank. He always did this. Distracted her just long enough for the storm to lose momentum. He always found a way to reach her when no one else could. It didn’t matter that she knew what he was doing. Or perhaps it helped… because she knew.

“I think the cornflower blue would bring out the blue in your eyes,” she said, tone flat. “But you’re well aware you’re required to wear the green tie we picked. You must coordinate with the family.”

James smirked, slipping his glasses back on. “Right. How could I forget?”

“You could wear the blue tonight to the rehearsal dinner.”

“I knew you’d have the answer,” he smiled. “You’ve always been such a bright girl.”

The praise softened something sharp in her chest. A stark contrast to the lingering self-loathing gnawing at her insides.

“You’ve grown into such a brilliant woman.”

He leaned forward, hazel eyes—Lilah’s eyes—sparkling with affection. He never got mad or frustrated with her. Always patient and effortlessly kind.

He would say just the right thing and her anger would begin to evaporate…

“I’m proud of you, Charlie.”

“Don’t—” her voice cracked, the sincerity in his tone breaking her.

How could he say that when he knew the wolf she allowed into their family?

“I’ve always been proud of you,” he said simply. “You know that.”