로그인Ella.Later, after Maya went to bed, Kyle told me about their conversation."I told her I was terrified when she was born. Afraid I'd fail her as a father.""What did she say?""That I'm the best father ever. That she'll be a good Alpha because we taught her how."Tears filled my eyes. "She said that?""Word for word.""Our daughter is amazing.""She gets it from her mother.""And her father.""We make a good team.""The best team."September arrived. Maya started fourth grade. Her teacher, Mrs. Brown, called us after the first week."Maya is reading at a seventh-grade level," she said. "And her mathematical reasoning surpasses most middle schoolers I've taught.""Is that a problem?" Kyle asked."Not a problem. Just remarkable. I wanted to discuss advanced placement options."We met with Mrs. Brown the following week. She suggested moving Maya to fifth grade for certain subjects. Math and English particularly."Would that be too much pressure?" I asked."I don't think so. Maya handles
Ella.Maya blew out the candles on her chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. Wolf-themed decorations covered every surface of our backyard. Balloons shaped like wolves floated above the tables. Maya's classmates and pack friends ran around playing games.Ten kids. Twenty kids. Maybe more. I'd lost count."Make a wish, sweetheart," I said.Maya closed her eyes tight. Her lips moved silently. Then she blew out all nine candles in one breath.Everyone cheered.Kyle cut the cake while I handed out plates. Maya opened presents surrounded by wrapping paper and excited chatter. She got books, games, training gear, and art supplies."Thank you, everyone!" Maya hugged each person who gave her a gift.The party lasted three hours. By the time the last guest left, Maya was exhausted but glowing with happiness."Best birthday ever," she declared."I'm glad, baby."Kyle cleaned up while Maya and I sat on the porch swing. The sun was setting, painting the sky orange and pink."Mom?" Maya said quiet
Days turned into weeks. The Academy situation settled into the background. Life returned to normal routines. Maya continued training. I managed Luna duties. Kyle also handled Alpha responsibilities.The full moon ceremony came and went successfully. The new pack members integrated well. Territory disputes resolved peacefully. Everything seemed to fall into place like it was meant to.Maya's ninth birthday approached. I started planning a celebration. Something special to mark this year. One of her last birthdays before the Academy."What kind of cake do you want?" I asked her."Chocolate with vanilla frosting.""Done. What about decorations?""Can we have a wolf theme?""Of course."I ordered decorations online. Wolf balloons, wolf banners, wolf everything. Maya would love it. I also ordered custom party favors and planned games for her friends.Sarah helped me organize the guest list. Maya wanted her entire class invited plus her pack friends. The party was growing bigger than I'd an
Ella.I woke up to find Kyle's side of the bed empty.The house was quiet. Too quiet.I pulled on my robe and went downstairs. Kyle sat at the kitchen table, laptop open, staring at the Academy's website."Couldn't sleep?" I asked.He looked up. "Been thinking about the werewolf academy offer.""At three in the morning?""I can't stop thinking about it."I poured myself water and sat across from him. The screen showed smiling students in training uniforms. Happy faces that told nothing about the reality of sending an eight-year-old away."We need to talk about this properly," I said."I know.""Not at three in the morning."Kyle closed the laptop. "You're right. Come back to bed."We went upstairs but neither of us slept much after that. I lay awake staring at the ceiling, listening to Kyle's breathing. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Maya's face when we'd tell her she had to leave.Morning came too quickly. Maya bounced into our room at seven, already dressed for school."Can we h
Kyle."Enough," I called out. "Excellent work, all of you."The senior wolves looked impressed. One of them nodded at Maya. "You're good, kid. Really good."Maya beamed."That's enough for today," I finally said."Already?""You have homework. And dinner. And sleep. Being strong means knowing when to rest."She nodded reluctantly.We walked back to the main building together. The sun was setting. Orange and pink streaked across the sky."Dad?""Yeah?""Do you think I'll be a good Alpha someday?"The question surprised me. "I think you'll be an amazing Alpha.""How do you know?""Because you care. About the pack, about fairness, about doing what's right. Those qualities matter more than strength.""But strength matters too.""It does. But strength without wisdom is just violence. You have both."She smiled. "Thanks, Dad."We drove home. Ella had dinner ready. Chicken and vegetables. Maya's favorite."How was training?" Ella asked."Great," Maya said. "Dad says I'm ready for advanced wo
Kyle.I watched Ella place Daniel back in his bassinet, her movements gentle and practiced. The baby settled immediately, tiny fists curling against his chest."You're a natural with him," I said.Jane smiled from the doorway. "I don't know what I'd do without you two. Seriously.""Family helps family," Ella replied.We said our goodbyes and headed home. The drive was quiet, comfortable. The kind of silence that comes from years of understanding each other without words.Maya was already asleep when we got back. School tomorrow. Third grade. Where had the time gone?I checked on her before bed. She'd kicked off her blankets again. Always did. I pulled them back over her, tucked them around her shoulders.She stirred slightly. "Dad?""Go back to sleep, sweetheart.""Is baby Daniel okay?""He's perfect. Sleep now."She nodded and drifted off again.Her room was decorated with drawings she'd made. Wolves running through forests. Families standing together. A child's interpretation of pac
Ella.The graduation cap felt ridiculous on my head.I adjusted it for the third time, trying to get the stupid tassel to stop swinging into my face. Around me, the entire senior class of Riverside High buzzed with excitement. Parents filled the bleachers. Camera flashes went off constantly."Stop
Ella.Kyle stood and crossed to where I sat. His hands found my hips, pulling me up to face him."I just hate that he's the one helping you," Kyle admitted quietly. "I should be the one you turn to.""You are. You're my mate, Kyle. My Alpha. But you're also overwhelmed with duties because Marcus is
Kyle.The whiskey burned going down, but not enough to drown out the look on Ella's face when I'd walked out.I sat in my truck at the edge of pack territory, staring at nothing. The engine was off. The night was cold. I didn't care.The primary bond throbbed in my chest. Ella's pain bled through,
Jason.I ended the call and hurled my phone across the office.It exploded against the wall. Glass and metal scattered across the floor.My chest heaved. My wolf clawed at my insides, demanding to be let out.Coming for her. I'd actually said that. Like some desperate fool who couldn't control hims







