Knox’s POV

“Jesus man take it easy will ya!”

Alex moaned from the ground. The last hour we were doing some training, mainly for me to release some of this anger that quickly consumed me.

After listening to Sophia’s story yesterday, Rafe was seeing red, all he wanted this Brian’s blood. It took everything in my control not to go off and track this fucker down and kill him.

It is against our laws to purposely bring harm to humans, but this was not one of those times.

Alex got back up to his feet and tried to catch me off guard, but after a few more moves, Alex found himself once again on his back.

“Okay enough man. I have been your punching bag for over two hours. Go for a run or something because beating the shit out of me is definitely not helping.”

He was right. Rafe wanted blood, but it was not Alex’s that he wanted.

Heading outside I shifted and headed north.

An hour later, I felt slightly better after exerting some energy.

As I approached the common area, I noticed a lot of kids playing soccer. My gaze landed on Ella, who sat off to the side watching them, with a sad expression on her face. It broke my heart.

I am heading over there

Okay Rafe, but be careful, she has never seen us in wolf form and we are very intimidating, I don’t want to scare her even more.

Yeah okay, I got this. I consider her my pup and she needs a dad right now.

Making my way around the kids, I tentatively walked to Ella’s side. She watched me the whole way, taking me in. I didn’t smell any fear so I continued until I was lying next to her with my head in her lap. After a few minutes, her fingers began to brush through my fur.

A small giggle escaped her lips as she petted me. Since she wasn’t afraid of me I decided to try something else. Lifting my head I licked her face.

“Ew that is so gross Knox, now I have doggy slobber all over me.”

At the sound of her voice I immediately sat up. The look of shock graced her face as well. She knew it was me but how? Remembering not to scare her, I let me tongue hang out the side of my mouth as I placed my paw on her hand.

“Just don’t lick me again okay?”

I nodded my wolf head.

“You are so big, like the size of a pony, I bet I could even ride your back.”

Flashing her a wolfie smile I sank down on all fours, scooting closer to her.

“Are you serious? You want me to climb on?” Again nodding to her. “Okay, but if my mom freaks out you are so taking the blame for this one.” Again another nod. I would gladly allow Sophia to yell all she wants to at me. Ella was finally speaking again.

She tentatively climbed on and secured her hands around my large neck. I began with a slow jog, picking up some speed once I knew she was holding on tight enough. We made our way to the lake, her laughing the entire way. It was the most wonderful sound to hear.

Stopping in front of the lake, I laid down so she could climb off. Ducking behind the tree, I shifted and put on some clothes that were stored there.

When I returned I found Ella sitting, staring at the lake. She looked up at me when I sat down next to her.

“That was really fun Knox, thanks.”

“It was fun, anytime you want a ride, you just let me know.”

After a few minutes of staring out over the water, Ella turned to me. I didn’t want to rush her as she just started talking again so I patiently waited for her to start on her own. She really was a wonderful kid, I was so proud of her.

“Does your wolf have a name?”

“Yes, my wolf’s name is Rafe.”

“Okay.”

Wanting to keep the conversation going, so she didn’t have a chance to pull back into herself, I reached out and picked up her hand. She didn’t pull away so I figured she was still relaxed enough to talk.

“Ella, sweet pea, how are you doing? Your mom is really scared since you wouldn’t talk. Are you doing okay? In any pain?”

“Yeah I am okay. My arm doesn’t hurt anymore, the cast is just annoying and it itches a lot.”

“Yeah that can be a total pain in the butt, but it comes off soon. Can you tell me why you stopped talking?”

“I don’t know…I am just so…scared…that my dad is going to come back. He said he wanted to kill me and mom? I just…I’m just scared all the time. But Noah…well he makes the nightmares go away.”

“I am glad that Noah helps you sweet pea. Come here.” I reached over for her so that I could put her on my lap. At first she just looked at me, then she crawled over. I circled my arms around her, not too tightly as I didn’t want to hurt her.

“Listen to me sweet pea. I will never let that man anywhere near you again. I know you don’t understand all of this but I love your mother and I love you too. I will do everything in my power to always protect you, the way a father is supposed to protect his daughter.”

“You want me to be my dad?”

“More than anything.”

“Why? My dad doesn’t want me. Why would you?”

Oh this poor thing. She is so grown up for an 8 year old. She shouldn’t have to think about these things.

“Sweet pea forget about that man, he doesn’t deserve that title. And I would love you be your dad, you are so precious to me. I have fallen in love with you, like a dad should love his little girl.”

Suddenly she launched herself up and her tiny arms circled my neck. She buried her face into my shoulder as she squeezed me as tight as her little arms could. Her cast made it more difficult for her to pull me closer, but she managed.

I felt her tears as her tiny body shook with sobs. Rafe began to whine as we held on to our little girl.

“Shh sweet pea, I have you. I will always have you. You are safe, please believe me.”

I wasn’t sure how long we sat there, but Ella had finally fallen asleep on my shoulder. Both Rafe and I were ecstatic. Our little girl was in my arms.

Dad

Yes son.

Where are you? Sophia is worried because you and Ella have been gone for like 2 hours.

We are at the lake son, we will be back shortly.

Okay dad I will let her know.

Thanks.

Hey dad…

Yes son…

Sophia is really…great. We have been spending time together …and…well…um..

Just spit it out Noah.

Well, I liked it…a lot. I never really had a mom, and it was weird at first, but now...

I know son, I get it.

Dad

Yeah

We can’t screw this up okay…

I know son, I don’t plan on it.

Good. See ya in a few dad!

Man I love that kid. I am so lucky to have him and now to have Ella. I wonder if Sophia would want more kids. Oh the thought of her round with my pups…oh yeah, I could definitely see that.

Gently I woke Ella up to let her know we needed to return back to the house. She waited for me to shift behind the tree. When I laid down before her she jumped right on and grabbed the fur around my neck.

“Let’s go home…dad.”

That one tiny word…caused so much joy to burst throughout my body, it was hard to contain. Dad. I was her dad. Rafe tilted his head back and howled out in happiness.

“You are so silly. Giddy up Rafe, I am getting hungry and I want to tell my mom I love her.”

On that note, I headed home...