Page 245 of His Sunshine Baby

He carries her in his arms, while I’m still completely at a loss. Nate notices my expression and takes my hand.

“Come on, let’s go. It’s okay, Elena.”

I nod, but really, is it okay? We leave his apartment and get in the car, but while Nathaniel drives, I can’t settle down. What does that mean? Won’t the Dark Witch sense Estelle more easily now? Is she in danger? How can she already shape-shift, she’s four years old! I have so many questions, I just can’t calm down.

Next to me, Nathaniel is acting confident, talking to Estelle, who sat down behind us, looking out the window.

“Do you want some music, baby?”

“Yes!”

He puts on the same playlist from earlier on his phone, aiming the speakers toward the back seat. I let out a deep sigh. Before I can react, Nate puts a hand on my knee, whispering so she can’t hear us above the music.

“It will be okay, Elena.”

“She’s just four! How can she…?”

“You know it happens. It’s fine. Tonia will just make sure she’s fine, but she doesn’t seem to be in any pain, and nothing about her werewolf aura has changed. It’s okay.”

“When Nora shape-shifted, I felt it. ”

“You weren’t there when Nora shape-shifted for the first time. You probably only felt something because you were close, and her kin. Calm down, it’s going to be okay. In any case, Sylviana can probably do something.”

“Do what? We can’t forbid our daughter from shape-shifting! She probably doesn’t even know the difference!”

He sighs but doesn’t answer. Meanwhile, I can’t stop glancing at the puppy behind us, who’s happily nodding to the tune. At least she doesn’t seem too disturbed.

Nathaniel finally parks in front of Damian and Nora’s house. They are both waiting for us on the porch. Nora opens her mouth wide, seeing Estelle confidently jump out of the car.

“Moon Goddess… She’s so cute!”

Is that all she’s thinking? Am I the only one literally freaking out? Damian seems to notice my expression and walks up to me.

“It’s okay. Come on in.”

We sit in their living room, and Boyan walks in carrying James. Of course, the two-year-old is overjoyed when seeing the puppy and runs to her. The two kids start playing a game of tag, while I sit next to my cousin, anxious.

“How come she shape-shifted? She’s too young to shape-shift!”

“It’s okay, Elena. Bobo shape-shifted for the first time when he was about her age too. And she is a Royal; she might be a precocious one because of that.”

“I don’t want her to be precocious, Nora! Look at her, anyone can tell she’s a Royal like you!”

“I can barely feel the change in her aura, Elena, calm down. We called Tonia and Sylviana, they’ll be here any minute, okay? Let’s have some tea.”

Nora gets up to pour some tea, kicking Damian out of the kitchen in the meantime. I can’t calm down though. Boyan is watching over the two kids running around in the living room, laughing so much while chasing each other. Neither of them seems disturbed by the fact that my daughter is a white pup.

When Tonia finally arrives, I almost jump on her, but she frowns and gestures for me to shut up.

“No, don’t start. First of all, yes, werewolves can shape-shift that young. No, she doesn’t have any health-related issues because of that, and yes, she is fine. Okay, now you can ask.”

“How can that happen?”

“Like any werewolf kid! Excitement, anger, any strong emotion can trigger our first shape-shift, Elena! The only problem with Estelle is that she is too young to even realize she shape-shifted! It’s so natural to her, she doesn’t care much about it. So chill, mama, she’s fine, okay? Now, where are the brats…”

Tonia dismisses me and walks in, grabbing Estelle by her neck when she runs close to her. I don’t like seeing my baby manipulated like that, even if she’s in her puppy form. Right away, Tonia starts inspecting her, ignoring my daughter’s annoyed growls.

“She’s a normal size. With those paws, she’ll grow to be your size, I’d say. Good fangs. Hey, don’t bite or I’ll bite you back. Her eyes are fine too. Her tail’s a bit short but that’s okay. Fine, you can go now.”

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