Page 41 of Crystal Luna

His attempt was only met with half the enthusiasm he’d probably hoped for. Heath watched from afar, his heart melting more and more for the woman he barely knew.

He let it go on until far past dinner time. Only then did he make himself known in the clearing. Rayan still struggled to get the same attention as Velora.

“Look, Daddy,” Mia chirped. “Isn’t Velora beautiful?”

“She is indeed.” He instantly regretted his words. He meant them, but he hadn’t intended to admit it in front of anyone.

Rayan’s ears dropped, sad eyes turning to the ground.

Heath leaned closer to his daughter and whispered, “Would you please give Rayan a compliment too, he seems a little sad, don’t you think?”

Mia quickly turned all her attention to Rayan’s wolf and rubbed his forehead, scratching right between his ears. “You are very pretty too.”

Rayan’s eyes sparkled again and his tail began to wag.

“Velora, would you be so kind as to help my son back down?”

Velora stood and stretched her long legs. It took Heath all his strength not to reach out and run his fingers through her soft, shimmering fur. Not even a moment later, Curtis dropped onto her shoulders and squeezed her neck.

“Thank you, Vel.”

She laid down and let Curtis slide onto the ground.

Before he could take his offspring home, they insisted that Velora get more cuddles. The entire evening was filled with how much fun the kids had with her.

It seemed that he wasn’t the only one falling.

Chapter Fourteen

Velora

Frustrated with herself, Velora dropped to the floor and crossed her legs beneath her. She tried to focus on her warrior training instead of all the half-shift nonsense, but it bothered her to the core.

“Hey, it’s alright.” Rayan tried to soothe her.

“I know I shouldn’t force it, but I just can’t figure it out and it’s completely maddening!”

Rayan sighed, taking a seat on the soft moss in front of her and handing her a water bottle. “You’re putting too much pressure on yourself.”

“I just really want this.”

“So don’t overthink it. Treat it as you would a full shift.”

She sighed and rolled the cool bottle between her palms. “I can’t shift without imagining my father’s mirror.”

“You see yourself as whatever you want to be?” he asked curiously.

“Yes.”

“Please tell me you’ve tried doing that with your half shift.”

She nodded absentmindedly. “But all I see is that ugly, hairy monster. It doesn’t work.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Well, I did until now,” she laughed.

“Take my hands.”