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“Dad.”

Fresh tears start when he comes into view, his silver hair glinting in the sunlight that filters through the trees.

"You’re far from home," he says softly. His eyes are concerned as they study me, taking in my tear-streaked face and Austin's oversized T-shirt.

I sniffle and wipe away the tears with the back of my hand. "Why are you here?"

"I thought you might need me," he admits, settling down beside me against the tree trunk. "Your Luna called and informed me about what happened with Austin. I left the city at once and came to find you."

I say nothing for a moment, just taking in the sight of him. I can’t believe he’s here. We rarely get to see each other because of the distance.

"Austin doesn't want me," I blurt out finally, unable to stop the fresh wave of tears that come with those words. “And I can’t do this anymore.”

He looks at me, his hazel eyes filled with compassion. He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t need to. His presence alone is comforting enough. I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder, and weep.

“Oh, Yelena.” He wraps an arm around me and pulls me closer.

"I don't understand why," I sob into his shoulder. My words are barely audible, muffled by his shirt. "The Moon Goddess chose him for me. That’s what everyone said. That’s what I believed. I’ve tried to be what he needs. I thought Fated Mates were supposed to...to want each other."

"They are," he says quietly, "but life isn’t simple, and neither is fate."

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"In our world," he begins slowly, choosing his words with care, "we believe in the power of Fate, that people and events are predetermined by the Moon Goddess. But there's something we often forget: free will."

I pull back to stare at him. My chest feels like it might crack open from the weight of my heartbreak.

"Even if two souls are bound by destiny, they still have the freedom to make their own choices, tread their own paths. The Moon Goddess may show us the path but walking it...that's up to us. You have to choose to accept your Fate. You have, but Austin has not."

His voice is gentle, yet firm and he traces soothing circles on my back.

"But what am I supposed to do, then?" I cry out. "I've been ready. I've been waiting. I've held on even when it hurts…I chose him! Over and over, I chose us, yet he doesn’t choose me."

"I just..." I choke on my words for a second before continuing. "I just wanted us to be happy."

"And you still can be," he says gently, wiping my tears away with his thumb. “But maybe it’s time to consider that your happiness doesn’t necessarily have to include Austin. Whatever you choose to do, sweetheart, I will support you.”

Painful as it may be, I know there’s wisdom in his words.

My stomach growls and I squirm, uncomfortably. I have no idea what time it is, but judging from the sun in the sky, it’s been several hours since I left home. I’m hungry and emotionally wrecked.

“I should get back,” I murmur. He stands, pulling me to my feet and into a tight hug. I lean into him, taking the support he has given me.

“Thanks for coming to find me, Dad,” I whisper against his chest.

“I’ll always come find you, darling girl,” he whispers back, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head.

“Do you want me to run back with you?” he asks when we finally break apart. I sniffle and shake my head no.

“I need the space to gather my thoughts,” I tell him with a wobbly smile.

He nods and then steps back into the woods, shifting into his tawny wolf easily. I watch as he trots off into the woods and disappears from view.

With a deep, centering breath, I also shift, this time allowing my wolf form to rip Austin’s shirt off my body.

The ripped shirt stays on the forest floor as I begin the long run back home.

It’s late afternoon by the time I emerge from the clearing and see the familiar pack buildings appear. I approach our cottage cautiously. Sniffing the air, I am relieved to find that Alpha Malaki and Luna Elizabeth are no longer in the area, but Austin’s scent is still very strong.