I was quickly becoming a part of this pack, no longer the stranger who had washed up on their doorstep. The walls had come down, and I found myself sinking into this life, not out of necessity, but because it felt right.
I passed by the garden where Mrs. Lila, the elderly healer, sat on a bench, her gnarled hands knitting quietly. She smiled as I approached, and without a word, I sat beside her, picking up a basket of herbs she’d left earlier.
"Your hands never stop moving, do they?" she asked, watching me sort through the herbs.
I smiled. "I guess I like to keep busy. It helps me focus."
“You’re a good one, Anastasia,” she said, her voice warm. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so kind, especially to those who don’t expect it.”
Her words lingered in the air. I wasn’t doing anything special—just helping when I could. But hearing it from her made me question myself. Maybe there was more to me than I realized.
The sound of children’s laughter drifted across the field. I turned to see the younger pack members chasing after a soccer ball, and I couldn’t help myself—I ran to join them. Their laughter was contagious, and I let them win just to see their joy.
“Looks like you’ve made yourself at home, huh?” Daniel’s voice called out.
I grinned and dusted off my hands. “What’s the fun in standing on the sidelines?”
Daniel’s eyes softened as he watched me interact with the children. His gaze held something deeper, something that made my chest tighten.
“You’ve done a lot for them,” he said, his voice steady but searching. “Won't deny, kids love you. And the elders too. It’s not easy being the one who keeps everything light around here.”
I shrugged, feeling my cheeks flush. “It’s nothing, really. Just being myself. Besides, they’ve all helped me so much. I don’t mind returning the favor.”
He chuckled, but there was something in his smile that made my pulse quicken. This was the first time I saw him smile. His pearly set of white teeth were showing.
“It pains me to admit, but my twin's right. You really are something, Anastasia. You don’t ask for anything in return. You could have taken advantage of your situation, but so far? You never did."
I tilted my head, feeling uneasy. “What do you mean?”
He stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “It’s easy to be kind when you’re getting something back. But you—” He paused, his voice low. “You just give, without thinking about what you’ll get in return. You're carefree, you make other wolves easy to get along to. You....you just have that presence in you...even I couldn't fathom.”
These days, there was something shifted in Daniel. He became a little less strict on me, as if he was slowly bringing down his guard. Or maybe I was just hallucinating.
I looked away, suddenly feeling exposed. The weight of his words pressed on me, stirring something deep inside—something I wasn’t ready to face.
Before I could respond, the children ran toward us, pulling me back into their world of laughter. I tried to shake off the feeling that had settled over me, but Daniel stayed where he was, watching me with a smile that made my heart race.
The council was still skeptical about me—about my past, my true identity. But the more I gave, the more they softened. They still questioned who I was, but they were starting to trust me. It was enough to make me want to stay.
But just as I turned to leave, a voice called out from behind me—one that I didn’t recognize. The air grew still, and a chill ran down my spine.
“Anastasia... I need to speak with you.”
