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    The sight of them together makes my heart swell, and I momentarily forget about my fear. This is what I always wanted-to see


    Arthur being a father to our son. To have these moments together as a family, making memories that Miles will carry with him


    forever.


    I thought we would never have this after the breakup. I thought Miles would never


    get to experience a rtionship with his


    father.


    And now... it''s happening.


    "You''re smiling," Arthur calls back to me. "Feeling better?"


    I blush as I realize he''s right. Somewhere along the way, my grimace has transformed into a serene smile.


    The trail winds deeper into the forest, following the curve of a small stream. The afternoon sun filters through the pine branches, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air is fresh and clean, and I take a deep inhale, which calms me further.


    "Look there," the ranch hand suddenly says, drawing his horse to a stop and pointing to a rocky outcrop ahead.


    My eyes widen as Ie to a stop beside them. A gray wolf stands on the distant ridge, silhouetted against the clear blue sky.


    Even from this distance, I can see its thick fur ruffling in the breeze.


    It''s looking right at us.


    "It''s a she-wolf," Arthur says quietly.


    The ranch hand nods in agreement. "He''s right. That''s definitely a female. Probably has a den with pups nearby." He looks at Miles. "You''re lucky, little man. Not many people get to see a wild wolf up close like this."


    Miles is awestruck, his eyes wide as he takes in the majestic creature. "Is she like you and Daddy and me?" he asks, looking back


    at me. "A werewolf?"


    "Not exactly," Arthur answers for me. "Wild wolves are our ancient cousins. Some believe they''re wiser than werewolves because they chose to remain pure and wild."


    "What do you mean?" Miles asks.


    Arthur thinks for a moment. "Well, ording to werewolf legends, a long time ago, wolves and humans made a deal. Some wolves chose to share their spirits with humans, creating the first werewolves. But others chose to stay as they were-fro d


    wild."


    "Those who refused the merge retained their pure connection to nature," the ranch hand adds. "That''s why many rewolves still respect wild wolves as sacred creatures. It''s also why some believe there are still humans in the world; not en gh wolves to


    go around."


    I stare at the she-wolf as they chat, utterly rapt. The idea that somewhere inside


    of me might be a wolf spirit mr to but


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    different from this wild creature, is still hard to grasp.


    The she-wolf turns her head, and suddenly, her golden eyes meet mine. A jolt runs through me, like static electricity. There''s an intelligence in those eyes, a depth that seems to look right through me.


    Time seems to slow as we regard each other across the distance. I feel a strange sense of recognition, a connection I can''t exin. The wind ruffles her fur, blowing a strand of my own hair into my face at the same time.


    She''s the most beautiful creature I''ve ever seen in my entire life. Nothing canpare.


    I''m not even sure if I want to paint this; as if painting her might strip her of her freedom, trap her somehow in a canvas, suck her into a world that''s not her own.


    The she-wolf holds my gaze for a heartbeat longer, and I swear she tilts her head in recognition.


    Then, she turns and disappears into the forest. I stare at the spot where she stood just a moment ago, and I can''t help but feel a profound sense of peace mingled with... loss. Like I''ve just witnessed something for thest time.


    I don''t even notice that the others have continued their ride until Buttercup snorts softly and follows them.