The Luna Choosing Game

That night, my cold had healed enough that I could finally be reunited with Elva. I ran to her, and she ran to me. When she came close, I scooped her up into my arms and held her. Her arms came around my

neck and she held me right back.

“I missed you, Elva. So much.”

“I missed you, Mommy.

Mark and the nanny eventually joined us and I thanked them both profusely for watching my daughter.

Thank you!” Elva said. “Thanks, Uncle Mark!”

I blinked.

Uncle Mark?

I looked at him and he looked embarrassed.

“I didn’t teach her that, I swear. She started doing it all on her own.”

I had been surprised, but I supposed I shouldn’t have been. After all, it had been a similar sequence of

events that had led Elva to calling Anna, Auntie Anna.

“Don’t worry,” I told him. “Elva has a mind of her own about some things.”

Mark seemed relieved.

“Mommy,” Elva said. “Are we going to meet wolves tomorrow?”

to Mark

Nicholas personally invited Miss Elva,” he

be dangerous.” I didn’t have an inner wolf so couldn’t speak to the wolves like

have limited warning if a wolf

your situation,” Mark said. “He’s asked me to relay

Elva have anything to

to meet the

purposefully endanger Elva. Of that, I was certain. If he said we

we would be safe.

“We’ll go and meet the wolves

“Yay!” Elva cheered.

my nerves continued to be heightened as I carried Elva out past the gardens and into the grassy fields

“Down, please,” Elva said.

I lowered her down. “Now don’t run off. We have to hold

hold hands.”

“Elva,” I said, stern.

She mirrored

want to go

“No.” She pouted now.

my hand and waggled my fingers. She sighed dramatically but finally

we walked across the

their assigned wolf as they approached. I was no

hand.

sitting politely on the grass.

curiously.

Mister Wolf!”

held her back at