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“I’ll take her.” Ember took the shell from her sister, holding it in her arms while whispering. “Auntie Rora didn’t mean it.”
Aurora crossed her arms with a pout. “Yes, I did.”
The smile Ember flashed Finn made my heart stutter. “Thank you, Dada Finn.”
His cheeks colored, his keen sense of longing pulsing off his body in strong currents. He clenched his fists by his sides, and I knew what he wanted more than anything was a hug from the girls. He visibly swallowed, a knot working down his throat, his wide smile not masking the yearning in his eyes. “You’re very welcome.”
Ember rocked her shells like she was lulling them to sleep. “I’m going to name them Bethamy Five and Bethamy Six.”
Aurora snorted. “That’s all you ever name your dolls.”
“Bethamy was the name of our great-aunt,” Finn said. “She was the sweetest shifter.”
“I know.” Ember blinked up at her father. “She still is very sweet.”
Finn scratched the back of his head, giving me a startled look. “Oh.”
Aurora stomped her foot, her face scrunching. “It’s no fair Em got two dolls and I got nothing.”
Ember pressed into me while warily eyeing her sister. “You didn’t want your doll.”
Ash moved toward us with a purpose in his stride. Aurora gasped when he knelt in front of her, holding out a small Y-shaped branch with a cord hanging from it. “Here you go.”
Aurora took it from him, turning it over in her hands. “What is it?”
He flashed a feral grin. “A slingshot.”
Aurora squealed, holding the weapon to her chest. “Oh, wow! I’ve wanted one of these my whole life!”
“Ash,” I scolded, “that’s dangerous.”
The wolf flashed in his eyes. “Not if I teach her how to use it.”
She bounced around on her toes as if she was trying to pop bubbles beneath her feet. “Will you teach me?”
He held a hand down to her. “Of course!”
My heart did a backflip when Aurora slipped her hand in his.
“Don’t use it on animals,” I reminded them as they walked off, my gaze flickering to Angel and Demon, who were munching grass nearby.
“We’ll only use it on fruits,” Ash called over his shoulder.
Ember’s face pinched. “Not my Bethamys!”
“No, not your Bethamys,” Finn reassured her while patting her head.
My heart swelled to near bursting when Ember moved from me to Finn, nestling against his chest. Finn’s eyes misted as he wrapped an arm around her, kissing the top of her head.
I swiped tears from my eyes as Finn looked at me and mouthed ‘thanks.’
It was all you, dearest, I answered through thought. You’re such a good father.
Ash took Aurora further down the embankment and shot a fruit out of a tree.
She jumped up with a squeal, clapping her hands. “Yesss!”
“What do you say, Aurora?” I called to her as Ash handed her the slingshot.
