Nicklaus’s POV
“Come and see for yourself,” she urged, pulling me into our daughter’s room.
As we entered Estella’s room, I failed to spot any immediate danger that might have prompted Gabby’s urgency. I turned my attention to her, puzzled by her worried expression. Despite Estella appearing sound asleep, it was evident that something deeply troubled Gabby. I decided to address the situation, seeking clarification.
“Estella is sleeping soundly, as we can see. Can you explain what you meant by what you said earlier?” I inquired, waiting for her response to gain a better understanding. However, she didn’t reply; instead, she looked at our daughter as if seeing her for the very first time. I couldn’t help but wonder what was happening with Gabby.
“I suppose something must have happened that we are unaware of,” Lethal, my wolf form, remarked.
“She doesn’t seem willing to open up about it,” I added.
“It might be because you both haven’t been very close lately. You could try asking her calmly; she might open up eventually,” Lethal suggested.
“I’ll do that now. To be honest, I’m concerned that something is bothering her so much. But I doubt it’s about our daughter, as she seems fine to me,” I admitted.
Turning to Gabby, I questioned her again, “Gabby, what’s on your mind? If something is bothering you, please share it with me. Sharing burdens lessens their weight. Talk to me, my love.” I continued to caress her gently, hoping that my touch would help alleviate her distress and encourage her to confide in me.
“Have you ever witnessed any strange behavior in a pack member?” she asked. Her question left me confused, so I asked her to explain further in simpler terms.
“What do you mean by ‘strange behavior’? Can you phrase it in a way I can understand?” I requested.
“I mean something like sleepwalking, where someone is asleep but unaware of their surroundings,” she clarified. I looked over at Estella to see if she was sleep-talking or trying to get out of bed, but nothing of the sort was happening. So, what was Gabby referring to as strange in our werewolf nature?
“Are you talking about sleepwalking or talking in one’s sleep?” I asked for further clarification.
“No, not that. Let me explain differently. I saw our daughter with dark eyes, fangs, and claws. She even pushed me the other day, and it wasn’t an ordinary push you’d expect from a child. I fell to the ground. I think you get what I’m trying to say,” Gabby elaborated.
“Are you suggesting that when our daughter is asleep, a different entity takes over and engages in harmful actions?” I sought confirmation, feeling a growing concern. I attempted to suppress my own worry, not wanting Gabby to become more distressed.
“Yes, that’s what I’ve been trying to convey. Look at the destruction around her,” she said, indicating the items our daughter had apparently destroyed. I found it difficult to believe; our daughter was just a child, and the level of power required for such destruction was beyond her capabilities, especially considering her age. “Are you saying Estella did this? But how? She’s not even 16 yet; she shouldn’t possess such strength.”
“That’s exactly what I’m trying to understand. Do you have any idea or solution?” Gabby turned to me for answers.
I glanced at Lethal, hoping he might have insights. “I’m as clueless as you are about what’s happening to Estella,” he replied.
“Okay then, I will find out myself,” I responded, taking a few steps forward and sitting near my daughter on her bed. I extended my hands to examine her-checking her body temperature, pulse, and even her eyes. Everything seemed completely normal. To ease Gabby’s concerns, I employed my wolf eyes to conduct a thorough examination, confirming that all her vital signs were in perfect condition. This gesture was intended to reassure Gabby that I didn’t doubt her, but the truth was that our daughter seemed to be in good health.
After gently caressing Estella’s hair, I noticed Gabby’s gaze fixed on me. I rose to my feet, and she approached me. “Estella appears perfectly fine. I don’t understand either, and I want you to know that I’m not doubting you. If something like that happens again, please call me immediately. I’ll know what to do,” I assured her. I wanted her to be assured that I took her concerns seriously, even though I believed our daughter was in no danger.
“Okay, I will do that,” she replied. “Let’s let our little pumpkin enjoy her sleep. You also need some rest. Look at your eyes, love. You might fall asleep any moment now.” I suggested. She agreed, and we left Estella’s room, making our way back to our own bedroom.
As we prepared to sleep for the night, it was apparent that Gabby still wasn’t at ease. I reached out to caress her and drew her closer to me, allowing her to rest her head on my chest. “Let’s go to sleep,” I suggested.
However, she refused immediately. This refusal was unusual; usually, Gabby never turned down my affection. Had I unintentionally upset her? “Why are you declining? You never turn down affection. Did I do something wrong?” I inquired, kissing her shoulder since it was exposed.
“Please stop, I’m not in the mood,” she responded, leaving me concerned.
Sensing her discomfort, I adopted a more gentle approach. “I apologize if I’ve hurt you unknowingly. Forgive me, my love, so that we both can find peace,” I expressed sincerely. My intention was to soothe her worries and assure her of my care.
She then asked a question that caught me off guard, “What’s been happening to you lately? I’ve hardly had the chance to spend time with you. Are you avoiding me?” This was unexpected, and I wondered how to best address her concerns.