Gabriella’s POV
“She is still very young, so unless our daughter is a genius, I doubt I’ll be training with the beta right now. Keep studying her.”
“I will, and I’ll let you know. Remember, it’s your duty to look after her as well and train her properly. I’ve never shifted into a werewolf before, so I have zero idea.”
“I am always here for you, so you don’t have to worry that much.” He kissed me before leaving.
I really wished to shift into a werewolf one day and get to know how it feels, but maybe I am destined not to. That’s why I am better at spells and physical combat.
I decided to check on my daughter to see if there were any weird changes. My jaw dropped upon seeing my daughter with glowing eyes, silver hair, wolf ears, and a tail.
“Hi, mom.” I rushed to her, holding her. “How do you feel, Estella? Do you feel weird?”
“I feel okay, Mom, far better than before. But why are my friends running away from me? They said they are all scared to come close because of my new looks. Does it mean I will not have friends anymore?”
“You will have friends, okay? Don’t worry, your dad will teach you how to control the wolf part of you. I am proud of you, and don’t be afraid of yourself.”
“Thank you, mummy.” She hugged me. I can’t believe all these changes have taken place so suddenly, but I am glad Nicklaus is back in our lives now.
The following night, I woke up and Nicklaus wasn’t present, as usual. Why does he always disappear every night? Where does he go once everyone is fast asleep? I thought about it, seeing it become a regular occurrence.
Nicklaus’s POV
I left Mariam and went to the back of the farmland to train with my beta.
“Let’s make the fight real, and don’t worry that much. I won’t hurt you,” I said to him to make him accept.
“Alpha Nicklaus, I am no match for you. Why would I engage in a duel with you?” He said.
“I command you, attack.” The only way I got him to engage, and we began fighting using our wolf strength in our human state.
“I am impressed, Martins. You are improving. Another round.” I requested and I discovered the vulnerabilities that could easily get him killed. I decided to train him. I am good at defending myself, and though I am also good at attacking, it’s important to have skills in self-defense.
I did some personal training and every night, I engaged in a run with my beta when everyone is asleep, shifting into a wolf just to stretch my bones.
I returned home, and it was time to teach my daughter self-control, which is damn hard and frustrating, but I can’t stop as her father. I have to persist till the very end to make sure she finally learns to be in control of her state. Sometimes I wonder if Gabby gives birth to a son, will I face the same challenge again? Ha, this is frustrating.
“Father, how come I find it very easy to listen to what others are saying?” she questioned. And I know she won’t just ask once; she’ll ask so much because of her curiosity, and that’s what is frustrating me more.
“That’s because we werewolves have some wolf qualities, and your wolf ears are already out. It is expected that your human traits will be just about thirty percent at this stage, and your wolf traits take the highest percentage,” I explained to her.
“But Dad, why does it get noisier?”
“I just told you, in your wolf state, everything about your senses becomes sharper, and you will experience more of these traits soon. But for today’s lesson, you need to learn to control it so your tail won’t just pop out from nowhere,” I added.
“I need you to run with me. I need to see how fast you can go. We’ll start with that.”
“But why are we running, Daddy?”
“Sometimes it helps calm your mind down a little, and you will be able to get yourself in order,” I explained, trying so hard not to get frustrated again.
“Okay, I will run, but why don’t we play the hide-and-seek game? I will run, and you catch me.”
Taking care of kids is worse than fighting in a war with your enemies. “We can’t play now; let’s run together.”
“If you say so, Daddy.” Counting to three, I lost sight of her. Don’t tell me she also inherited my kind of speed in running. Then she appeared out of nowhere, saying, “Looking for me, daddy? Why can I see those animals that are far from me and even their internal bodies?”
I am tired. I don’t think I can do this. I almost cried, but when she asked if I am angry with her for being so curious, I faked my laughter. But I really wanted to cry. How do I keep on coping with this?
“Until she can control her wolf self,” Lethal said, and I imagined the whole thing and buried my head.
Nicklaus returned to the room and fell onto the bed, looking so tired. “So tell me, is Estella getting better?” I questioned.
“I believe with time she will learn faster, but how do you cope with a kid’s curiosity? It’s maddening,” he said, and I burst into laughter.
“Now you see what mothers are trying to manage.”
“I promise to always treat you with excessive care, but can you take over our daughter’s learning? It’s so hard to be patient.”
I joined him on the bed, saying, “Come on, with time you will get used to it, okay? Just keep trying. She can’t be bringing out her wolf ears, red eyes, and other traits when she is with her friends. It will freak them out.” I caressed his back.
“Sure, I won’t give up. I’ll give it my best to make sure she is able to control her wolf part. Anyway, how is my love doing?” He turned and kissed my lips.
“I am okay. I will be going to meet Margret now. Take your rest, and if you get bored…” Estella came in, saying, “I will be here to play hide and seek with Dad.”
“Oh no.” Nicklaus buried his head again, and I laughed.
“Making some herbs? Let me assist you,” I said to Margret, sitting with her.
“Thank you, Gabby. Just add a little from it,” she said directly to me.
“I have been having some weird dreams lately about a dangerous war. Do you think they are just mere dreams, or will they happen?” I asked her, pounding the herbs together.
“Maybe yes, maybe not.”
“That is confusing, you know. Will you tell me about the prophecy now? I am curious to know every detail about it,” I said, willing to accept whatever the moon goddess has in store for me.
“A prophecy was given to us, saying the True New God Luna will leave her tribe and come to the South. She is the one meant to unify the tribes and bring peace.” She kept narrating the whole thing to me.
“But how are you so sure it’s me?”
“You have the marks that represent the prophecy. So train harder. Soon your destiny will unfold in front of you. Now pound it harder.” She instructed, and I smiled with a nod.
I finished pounding the herbs, and she had me enchant a spell with her to make the herb work faster when it’s used.
I wonder sometimes if Margret ever had a family of her own or if she wishes to start one. Isn’t she lonely? What if a time comes for me to leave the witch tribe and fulfill the prophecy? Won’t she miss me so much? We are so close and share the bond of a mother and daughter. I hope she starts a family soon, but it would be too rude to ask her such a question.
“Stop staring at me. Come with me; we have work to do.”
“Yes, Mom.” We smiled at each other. I wonder if I should tell Alpha Nicklaus about it.