William hesitated. "It’s... kind of complicated."

Ella rolled her eyes. "Adults always use that excuse when they don’t want to explain stuff."

"You’re totally right. I’m sorry. I—" William hesitated. "I used to work in medicine. As a doctor."

"Used to?" Ella asked.

"I had to stop for reasons I can’t explain right now."

"Because it’s complicated?"

"Exactly."

Ella nodded like she got it. "My mom says some things are complicated too. She says I’ll understand when I’m older."

"That’s usually true."

"I don’t like waiting to get older," Ella confessed. "I want to know things now."

"I know the feeling."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment.

Then Ella spoke again. "William?"

"Yes?"

"Do you have any kids?"

William’s heart stopped.

He looked at his daughter, this beautiful, brilliant, perfect child, who had no idea who he was.

"Yes," he said quietly. "I do."

Ella perked up. "Really? How many?"

"One."

"Boy or girl?"

"Girl."

"How old is she?"

William smiled sadly. "About your age."

Ella’s eyes went wide. "Really? That is so cool! Where is she? Can I meet her?"

"She’s—" William’s voice caught. "She is here. Right now."

Ella looked around. "Where? I do not see anyone."

William wanted to tell her. He wanted to scream it: You are my daughter. You are the child I have been separated from. You are mine.

But he couldn’t.

Not yet.

Not until this was over.

Not until she was safe.

"I was actually trying to say she’s safe," William said, making a quick correction. "She’s in a safe spot. Just like you."

"Oh," Ella said, sounding a bit let down. "What’s her name?"

William met her gaze. "Ella."

Ella gasped. "Just like mine?"

"Yep, exactly like yours."

"That’s so cool! We have the same name!" Ella bounced in her seat, all excited. "Is she nice?"

William felt his eyes getting a bit watery again. "She’s the nicest person I know."

"Is she smart like me?"

"Even smarter."

Ella laughed. "That’s hard to believe."

"You might be surprised."

"Do you miss her?"

William looked away for a moment to pull himself together. "Every single day."

He noticed her little fingers on his hand and glanced down as she gave it a gentle pat, trying to make him feel better.

"It’s okay," she said softly. "I bet she misses you, too."

She does... she’s right in front of me. William had to bite his lip to hold back tears.

"Thanks," he whispered.

Ella settled back in her seat. "Now it’s your turn to ask me something."

William cleared his throat. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"A scientist," Ella said right away. "Or maybe a superhero. I’m still deciding."

"Both are great choices."

"I totally think I’d be great at both."

"I’m sure of it."

"My turn," Ella said. "Are you married?"

"I used to be. Once."

"What happened?"

"We got separated. Not my choice."

"That’s rough."

"Yeah, super rough."

"Do you still care about her?"

William didn’t think twice. "More than anything."

"Then you should track her down and say something."

"I’m on it."

Ella nodded seriously. "Good. Love matters. My mom says that."

"Your mom’s got a point."

They kept playing twenty questions for another hour.

William learned that Ella’s favorite color was purple, that she couldn’t stand broccoli but loved Brussels sprouts, and that she wanted a dog, but her "dad" said no.

Each time she mentioned Michael, William had to work hard to stay cool.

Ella told him about her school, her best friend Emily, and her teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez, who let her read whatever books she wanted.

She chatted about her favorite movies, her favorite songs, and her dreams.

William soaked up everything like a man really thirsty for water.

*****

Upstairs, Ayla was at her desk with her textbook open, but she wasn’t actually studying. Her thoughts were focused on what was happening downstairs.

William and Ella. Father and daughter.

Ayla had a feeling about how they were connected, even if she couldn’t quite put it into words. She noticed the way William looked at Ella, as if she was everything to him, the sun, the moon, and all the stars.

She could see how Ella naturally gravitated toward him, how quickly she trusted him, and how their laughter came so easily. Their connection was something deeper than just logic.

It was blood calling out to blood.

Feeling curious, Ayla got up and went to her window. From there, she could see into the living room through the big windows.

William was still on his knees on the floor, and Ella had moved in closer to show him something in her book. He was smiling and pointing at something on the page, and she was laughing.

Ayla felt a tightness in her throat as memories rushed back. She remembered sitting with her dad, Marcus Alston, reading books together. He would go over things for her, and she would ask a ton of questions.

She thought about how he looked at her, like she was the most important thing in the world, and how safe she felt with him.

Her dad was gone. No, he’d been murdered.

She’d never get those moments back.

But William and Ella could, once this war was done.

Once Alpha was taken down.

William could finally let Ella in on the truth. He could be her dad openly and live the life that had been snatched away from him.

Ayla wiped her tears and sent a quiet prayer up to whatever gods might be out there.

"Let them get through this. Give them a shot. Let Ella find out who her real dad is."

"Let them have what I lost."

She watched them for a bit longer before forcing herself to look back at her desk, her books, and wait for word from the team. She hoped the morning would bring some victory so she wouldn’t have to keep going or lose anyone else.

*****

Downstairs, Ella let out a big yawn, one of those jaw-stretching ones she tried to hide behind her hand.

"Looks like someone’s tired," William said gently.

"I’m not tired," Ella replied, but then yawned again.

"Of course not. That was my bad."

Ella laughed. "Okay, maybe I’m just a little exhausted."

William got up, his knees aching from being on the floor for so long. "Come on. Let me walk you to your room."

"I can get there by myself," Ella said.

"I know you can. But would you let me tag along anyway?" he asked.

Ella thought it over for a sec, then nodded. "Alright."

She took his hand.

William’s heart raced again.

Her hand was so tiny in his, soft, warm, and trusting.

And I wasn’t there to hold it.

They headed upstairs together. Ella pointed out her room.

It was nice, obviously set up just for her. Soft purple bedding, stuffed animals lining the shelves, and books piled on the nightstand. Zayden really knows how to spoil kids.

Ella climbed into bed, and William pulled the covers up to her chin, tucking them in gently.

Ella looked up at him with her gray eyes.

"William?" she said.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"I like you. You’re a really good friend."

William leaned down and kissed her forehead softly.

It was the first time he had ever kissed his daughter.

"I like you too," he whispered. "More than you can imagine."

"Will you be around when I wake up?" she asked.

"Absolutely, I promise," he assured her.

"Good." Ella’s eyes were starting to drift shut. "Just stay safe, okay?"

"I will. You do too."

"I feel safe here," Ella said quietly. "I can really sense it."

William watched her breathing get steady.

He saw sleep take over.

His daughter.

Safe.

Loved.

Perfect.

He stood there for a while, just watching her sleep and making a silent promise.

No one would ever hurt her again.

Not Michael.

Not Alpha.

Not anyone.

He’d do whatever it took to protect her.

Eventually, with some reluctance, William left the room, cracking the door open so he could hear if she called out. He went downstairs to stay nearby, to keep watch, to protect his daughter, even if she didn’t realize that’s what he was doing.

*****

Fifteen girls were hanging out in a chilly basement.

They were all in the same white silk dresses, sleeveless, flowing to the floor, and looking pretty fancy. These gorgeous dresses were made to make them seem elegant, innocent, and attractive.

To put it simply, they were like products.

Each girl had a sparkly silver mask on her face, covering from the forehead down to just above the lips. Only their mouths and chins showed.