I shook my head almost immediately, still wary of Rachel's sudden kindness. “Never mind that now. Clara, dear, I can take you for a run after the party. We can have a special time together.”
However, Rachel was already walking up the dais, towards Randolf. I watched his eyes lit up as she approached him. He leaned his entire body towards her, as she whispered into his ear. The sight of them made me physically sick, and I tried to tamp It down.
I stood in silence, with my daughter clutched against my chest. Randolf's eyes darted to us, then back to Rachel and nodded.
Rachel came back to us with a smile that did nothing to ease my tension. "Hear that, Clara? Daddy is up for a ride."
I let out an impatient sigh. "You shouldn't have bothered, Rachel—"
“No, Haley!" A voice bellowed behind me. I turned to see Randolf walking towards us. "Clara will ride with me."
His tone was cold and dismissive, and I felt a pang of frustration. “But Clara wants to ride with me. Are you sure—”
Randolf cut me off with a sharp look. “It’s her birthday. Let her have this. Find something else to do, will you?"
Anxiety still tugged at my heart, but I nodded hesitantly. I crouched in front of Clara, who had a bright smile on her face again.
She kissed my cheek, her tiny lips brushing against my skin. “I’ll be okay, Mama. I love you.”
I tried to smile for her sake, though my heart ached. “I love you too, sweetheart. Have fun.”
In a flash, Randolf had morphed into his wolf form. Clara waved goodbye at me, as she climbed onto the back of the giant wolf. Randolf’s form loomed over me for a moment, and then disappeared into the woods. I watched them until they were out of sight, still feeling very uneasy.
The party continued, but my thoughts were with Clara. Time dragged on, and as the night fell, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread. The guests and pack members were gone. Randolf had not returned, and neither had Clara. I glanced at the watch on my wrist; midnight had come and gone.
Unable to bear it any longer, I reached out to Randolf through the mindlink. “Randolf, where is Clara? She hasn’t come back yet.”
His response was cold and distant. “Why are you asking me that? I came to the pack hospital an hour ago for urgent matters."
I was taken aback. “You left Clara alone in the woods? You should have at least informed me!”