Chapter 5
1034 Words
Elena.
I said, "Ava, concentrate!" as I observed my daughter attempting to manage her shifting.
I could see her frustration growing as her tiny face scrunched in concentration.
She cried out, "I'm trying, mama!" Her eyes lit with the power she had fought to control, and her shaking body attempted to stop the shift.
Calm your heart and calm your wolf. Remember what we practiced. Breathe, Ava. I gently told her.
She inhaled deeply, her chest rising and sinking as she struggled to maintain her balance.
She stood in front of me, still in her human shape, as the trembling subsided and the brilliance in her eyes gradually dimmed.
I smiled proudly and added, "You did it. You're getting stronger every day."
"I want to be as strong as you, mama," said Ava, smiling with the frustration that had before melted away.
I bent over and gave her a tight hug. "You're stronger than you know" .
Here in this isolated village, away from Jackson and the pack's threats, we have had a peaceful life.
Three years had passed after I fled Jackson, and although he was unaware that Ava was his daughter, I continued to keep it a secret, which will never be made public.
Since our night stand, I haven't found a winner. Even after losing one of my babies and giving birth to my lovely daughter Ava, whose happiness is all I have, I never laid eyes on him. Heteropaternal superfoetation has caused me a lot of anguish.
Nobody knew where we were, and I planned to keep it that way. My existence had been based on a secret.
Since she was just three years old, Ava has demonstrated remarkable strength. Her wolf abilities were developing more quickly than I could have predicted.
However, I was concerned that we would undoubtedly be in grave danger if anyone discovered how unique she was.
"Why must I conceal my wolf?"." With wide, inquisitive eyes, Ava enquired.
Even though she had asked me the same question a hundred times before, I still couldn't come up with a simple response.
"Ava, you know that you are everything to me, my love. I understand your feelings, but some people wouldn't get it." I brushed her hair behind her ear as I spoke.
"They would be scared of your strength."
"But, mama, you're strong too." Ava frowned as she spoke. "Why do you not feel fear?"."
Her innocence made my heart hurt, so I gave her a gentle smile. "Because you are my daughter and I am aware that your strength is a gift, even though not everyone agrees."
Ava nodded, but her understanding was clearly incomplete. Could she? She was still very young, and she had not yet encountered the world's mysteries and perils.
As night fell, I led Ava back into the tiny cabin where we lived by holding her hand.
She would eventually understand what I was doing, but she never did.
Everything seemed impossible, yet all that mattered to me was knowing that I was secure here.
"Mama, could you tell me a story about your early years? I'm interested in learning more about your strength.
Leaping onto the couch, Ava questioned. I sat down next to her and laughed.
"All right, what sort of tale would you like to hear?"."
"Mama, tell me about your first encounter with Daddy." Her eyes were shining as she said it innocently.
Jackson's name made my heart sink. I only told her enough about him to answer her queries, but every time she mentioned him, the memories flooded back.
"All right," I started to pick my words carefully, saying, "I met your dad a long time ago. Like you, he was courageous and strong.
Excitement glistened in Ava's eyes. Was he, like me, a good wolf?"."
I swallowed the lump in my throat with hesitation. "Once he was. However, people do change sometimes.
Will we ever cross paths?I need to see my dad so I can find out how he looks. I could hear the hope in her tiny voice as she enquired.
I averted my gaze so she wouldn't notice how hurt I was.
"Ava, I'm not sure. Daddy is far away? However, you will eventually see him because we are a single family.
She nodded, but it was clear to me that she wasn't quite getting it. How could I tell her that Jackson had abandoned us and rejected me? That he was unaware of her existence?
I got to my feet, trembling from the weight in my chest. "Time to go to bed, please."
"Mummy, I don't feel like going to sleep. I must listen to more tales.
"Don't worry, my love; I'll make up for it tomorrow by telling you more stories, but for now, it's time to go to bed."
Ava followed me to her room despite groaning. "Do you think I’ll ever be strong enough to fight like you, Mama?" .
As I tucked her into bed, I grinned. "At your age, you're already stronger than I was, but keep in mind that strength is about knowing when to defend the people you care about, not just about fighting."
"I love you, Mama," she said, yawning and fluttering her eyes shut as she curled up under the blankets.
I kissed her forehead and whispered, "I love you too, Ava."
I leaned against the wall and sighed deeply after shutting the door to the bathroom.
I was haunted by Jackson's recollections, but they were no longer able to dominate me.
No matter how far I fled, I couldn't get rid of the feeling that the past would catch up with me, even though I had Ava and she was my world now.
I have to be strong and teach my daughter self-defence so that she can exact revenge on me for my rejections, because Jackson would still be out there searching for me.
I tried to ignore the thought by shaking my head, but I couldn't leave in terror; I have to try my hardest to avoid letting the past haunt me again.
However, what if Ava discovers after becoming pregnant that her father was the one who turned me down?
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