Tanner and Avla worked side by side in the kitchen, the rhythmic chopping of vegetables creating a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Tanner glanced at Avla, the question on his mind finally spilling out. "Are you worried about all this... about Avery and me?"Avla stopped chopping for a moment, looking up with a puzzled expression. "Worried? No, not at all," she replied confidently. Her gaze softened as she leaned on the counter, facing Tanner. "Your story here isn't that different from mine and Gideon's. You're fortunate, really. Gideon spent many long years grappling with similar feelings. And he did it essentially alone. You have support here."She picked up the knife again, her movements deliberate. "I'm not scared, Tanner, because I've seen how things turned out with Gideon and me. I know you will navigate this with the same care and respect. These situations, as complex as they are, have a way of resolving themselves when there's understanding and patience."Tanner absorb
The following morning at training, the pack was buzzing with energy, their enthusiasm noticeable. Avla and Liam perched on the sidelines, their eyes following the pack's movements keenly. The training ground was a flurry of activity, with members engaged in various drills and exercises. Their movements were precise and fluid, a dance of strength and agility that captivated anyone who watched.Tanner, filled with a newfound vigor, was particularly active, darting in and out of sparring sessions. His movements were swift and confident, a testament to his growing skills and maturity. In a rash eruption of overzealous energy, Tanner found himself face-to-face with Gideon. Their eyes locked, and for a fleeting second, Tanner's gaze had a spark of mischievous defiance. Then, almost as if driven by an unseen force, Tanner's voice rang out, strong and unwavering, slicing through the hum of the training session."Alpha, care for a little spar? Let's see if you've still got it, old man!" Tann
Gideon's steps echoed softly as he approached Tanner's house, the porch creaking slightly under his weight as he joined Tanner sitting there. He regarded Tanner with a calm, understanding look. "How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice steady and reassuring.Tanner exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I'm nervous as hell, Gideon," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper."Just remember to breathe, Tanner. Everything's going to work out. And if you feel overwhelmed when the social worker is here, it's okay to stay back here until she leaves," he advised, his tone gentle yet firm.Their conversation paused as they both spotted the car approaching in the distance. Gideon stood up, patting Tanner's back encouragingly. "Come when you're ready," he said with a smile, before striding confidently towards the main house.Tanner remained seated, his heart pounding as the car drew near. The sight of the social worker helping a small figure out of the car sent a jolt through
The aroma of Jorge's lasagna filled the air as he arrived with dinner. Alongside the hearty lasagna, he had thoughtfully prepared mac and cheese in case Avery hesitated about the main dish. As they gathered around the table, Avla observed Avery with a knowing, empathetic eye, recognizing behaviors that were familiar to her own past. Avery's hesitance to reach for the food was heart-wrenching to witness. Her tentative movements, born of a fear deeply ingrained by Yorgan's harsh rules, were not lost on anyone at the table. Tanner, sensitive to her reluctance, gently encouraged her. "You can have some lasagna, Avery, or I can help you get some," he offered softly. "Okay, help me, please," Avery replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Tanner served her a generous portion, and to everyone's surprise, she began eating with an eagerness that suggested a long-standing hunger. Every few bites, she would pause and glance back at Tanner, seeking approval and reassurance that she was doing
The hallway outside Avery's room became a silent vigil, with Gideon and Tanner seated on the floor, a guardianship in the dim light. Gideon, sensing Tanner's restlessness, tried to offer words of comfort. "It'll get easier every day. The first few days are always the hardest," he assured.Tanner laughed, but there was a hint of skepticism in his voice. "Yeah, I'm not so sure about that," he replied, his eyes fixed on the closed door.Gideon reflected for a moment before speaking. "As much as I want to draw parallels between this and my experience with Avla, it's different. I didn't see Avla again for years. My feelings had evolved into a protective obsession by the time I did. But she was unaware of my watchful presence, of the ways I tried to ensure her well-being."The door creaked open, revealing Avery peeking out. Avla, with a gentle tone, reassured her, "See? Tanner's right there, just like he promised. Now, let's get back to our story." She left the door cracked open, allowing A
In the quiet confines of the master bedroom Tanner, Avla, and Gideon found themselves grappling with the weight of the day's revelations. Tanner collapsed onto the couch, his body language betraying his exhaustion and emotional turmoil. He rubbed his temples and eyes, trying to process the intense connection he'd experienced with Avery.Avla fetched another blanket and pillow from the closet and handed them to Tanner. He accepted them with a muted "thank you," his voice filled with weariness."I saw it... I saw the nightmare she was having," Tanner confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "After it happened, I think it was just the remnants, but I saw it."Gideon, standing nearby, was visibly amazed by Tanner's admission. "I've heard of werewolf senses being strong, but to witness it like this... it's something else," he remarked, a mix of awe and concern in his tone.Tanner's expression hardened as he recounted the nightmare's vivid, disturbing details. "If I ever see Yorgan agai
As Avla and Gideon descended to the kitchen, the morning light streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. They moved in tandem, starting breakfast, their movements a well-rehearsed dance of domesticity. "So," Avla began, breaking the silence as she cracked eggs into a bowl, "Tanner really was panicking over nothing, wasn't he?" Gideon, flipping pancakes on the griddle, nodded. "Yes, but it's good he's taking it seriously. Shows he understands the gravity of the situation." He paused, flipping another pancake. "But Avery... it might be a while before she's comfortable being away from him." "Yeah, what does that remind you of..." Avla trailed off, whisking the eggs. Gideon chuckled, "You, when you stayed with me those four days. You know, Avery sleeping on Tanner's chest like that? You did the same thing. Clung to me every night. During the day, when you napped. Pretty much all the time, honestly." Avla stopped whisking, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Really?
The post-breakfast atmosphere in the pack house was abuzz with preparations for the morning's training session at 10 am. A lingering question hung in the air — how would Avery cope with Tanner being away at training? It was Avla who first broached the subject. "Well, we could let her come," Avla suggested, considering the little girl's attachment to Tanner. Gideon, ever cautious, frowned slightly. "I've always kept the young ones away from training. It's hard to explain some of the things that happen there," he reasoned, thinking of the sometimes brutal nature of their exercises. Avla, however, seemed confident in her proposal. "I'm certain Tanner will be far more reserved if Avery is around," she pointed out, aware of Avery's calming influence on Tanner. As if on cue, Tanner entered the kitchen, Avery perched happily on his shoulders. After a brief exchange and a reminder to Avery that he would be right back, Tanner handed her over to Gideon and disappeared to change into his wor