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?”

looked to Mark for

Nicholas personally invited Miss Elva,”

dangerous.” I didn’t have an inner wolf so couldn’t speak

would have limited warning if a wolf was growing

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

Elva have anything to

want to meet

endanger Elva. Of that, I was certain.

we would be safe.

her. “We’ll go

“Yay!” Elva cheered.

nerves continued to be heightened as I carried Elva out past the gardens and into the grassy fields beyond, where the wolves were lined up, ready to greet

“Down, please,” Elva said.

don’t run off.

want to hold hands.” She stubbornly

“Elva,” I said, stern.

mirrored my

to go back

“No.” She pouted now.

my hand and waggled my fingers.

walked

their assigned wolf as

hand.

politely on the

curiously.

Wolf!”

her back at

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255