Aspen slips right back into her game as if nothing ever happened. She’s so absorbed, you’d never guess that just a few minutes ago she was asking me for rainbow doors and butterflies.
Sometimes I wonder, do we all secretly wish our lives were as simple as that of children? Stress-free, carefree, their entire world wrapped up in pixels, laughter, and small wonders. I envy that ease. I miss it too. The days when my biggest concern was how long I could play before my parents called me in to finish my homework.
A sigh escapes me. I shake the thoughts away before they can drag me under. That time is gone. What matters now is making sure Aspen and every other child in this pack get to enjoy their childhood like I did. That won’t be possible with Xena and Kaden around.
“Nyx went MIA on me,” I
