Page 15 of Crystal Luna

Mia tilted her head slightly and eyed Velora with sweet curiosity. “Daddy also said you have a wolf, is that true?”

“I do,” Velora confirmed.

“Can we meet her?”

“Only if you aren’t tired,” Curtis quickly added.

“Why don’t I put this in the kitchen and then come out to you?”

They both nodded eagerly.

A few minutes later Velora joined the kids outside and shifted, the two sitting beside her and running their fingers through her fur. They sat on a blanket Velora had spread out for them and enjoyed the last of the sun’s rays as it disappeared behind the trees. She enjoyed their caresses and how they teased each other. In return, they enjoyed her wolf’s company.

After a while, Mia dozed off and curled up next to her on the blanket. Velora stood carefully, stretching out her muscles and shifting back to her human form.

“Should I get Dad?” Curtis asked.

“No, I’m sure he’s quite busy right now. I’ll carry her back.”

Another thing that Velora learned was that a great strength came with getting her wolf. Lifting Mia into her arms felt easy. Half asleep, Mia shifted and clung herself to Velora’s neck, her head on her shoulder.

Curtis walked silently beside her and opened the front door so Velora could step inside. He poked his head into his father’s office. “Mia fell asleep.”

When Velora stepped into view, Alpha Heath shot to his feet and held his arms out. “Here I’ll take her.”

“No,” Mia mumbled before Velora could hand her over. “I want Velora.”

Alpha Heath froze mid-step, his eyes resting on his daughter before they met Velora’s. “Would you mind?”

Velora shook her head. “Not at all.”

“I’ll show you her room,” Curtis offered before walking off.

Velora’s heart sank to her feet. Alpha Heath looked lost, even a little sad that his children had chosen to go to bed without him. She hadn’t intended for that to happen but didn’t dare to say anything in front of the children.

Curtis led her past the living room and kitchen, down a hallway to her right and stopped by a room filled with fluffy toys and a princess bed. Velora stepped in and kneeled before the bed so she could set down Mia.

“Curtis?”

“Yes?”

“I believe you forgot to tell your father goodnight.”

“Oh!” He quickly turned and left the room again.

“Mia, how about we change into your PJs?”

“Mhm.” She sleepily pointed to a chair across the room where her pyjamas were.

Velora helped Mia into her pyjamas before tucking her into bed. “Let me get your father so he can tell you goodnight.”

She found Alpha Heath in the kitchen filling Curtis’s water bottle while he sat on the counter.

“She’s in bed now but would like to say goodnight to you.”

“Thank you.” He handed Curtis the bottle and guided him off the counter and nudged him towards the hallway. “Go choose a book and I’ll be right there after I give your sister a kiss.”

As Curtis walked past her, he beamed up at her. “Goodnight, Velora.”