He Is Not Telling

In the days that follow, Erina trains as if her life depended on it.
The swimming instructor has drawn up a training schedule, especially for her and is very satisfied with her progress and motivation. Her discipline also encourages the other athletes to perform better, Erina often has inspirational talks with them. The pack's swim team is now gearing up for the top at the upcoming Intercontinental Wolf Sports competition.
Remarkable is again my Beta.
He is present at every practice of Erina, cheering the little one, clocking and recording her times personally. And I just thought he was too busy with pack work. He sees to it that she performs better every time. Jace seems to forget that he is my Beta and not Erina's. Their bond is now solid, they have a common goal.
Jace took her to Human Town to buy riffles and short guns for practice. Of course, without ammunition. Gamma Clark has that under tight control in the pack's weapon alliteration. Erina has full control over the pack's training sessions. After the strength and technique training, Clark completely leaves the sessions on using weapons to her. Erina is now instructing the pups up to sixteen, but the warriors are starting to demand to be trained by her too.
But Erina is only five years old.
She makes everyone forget her age when she is so busy teaching. She is strong, taller and more muscular than her peers. I must confess that she also caught my attention. When I have some free time, I visit her training sessions by the pool as well as in the field. As it turns out, there's a good chance she'll live up to her promise to me and lead the rest of Midnight Moon's team to victory.
I haven't seen Drina for a few weeks, but being with Erina eases the distress of our separation. To be honest, the information that I managed to glean from Erina I have kept to myself afterward. I'm sure Jace would have come back with results if I'd let him investigate everything. My Beta masters executing research. But the feeling came over me that Drina would be pretty disappointed in me if she found out that I've been investigating her family behind her back.
And I want as little friction as possible between us at this time, especially with Alcina lurking around.
I now watch Erina effortlessly beat the pack's top swimmers. Jim, the trainer, is waiting for her and helps her out of the water. “Good job as always, Erina. You are strong and focused. The whole team is now performing much better and I am looking forward to the coming interpack competitions with impatience”, he compliments the girl. "I want to see their eyes when they see that our new asset is unbeatable."
Erina chuckles and looks my way. "I have a promise to keep, trainer." And again, it strikes me how mature she sounds. Jace moves up next to me. “Enrick, don't you notice that Erina is more educated than her peers? Her strength and wisdom are shooting out,” he notes thoughtfully. "To be honest, she reminds me of Lycans but I don't sense that about her". Jace stares at the girl with narrowed eyes. “To say, her scent is more like ours. Like she was born in Midnight Moon. Would her parents be from our pack after all?” he muses.
I clear my throat.
“Beta, if a pup is born in this pack and you don't know it, we're in serious trouble,” I point out. “Not a single she-wolf giving birth to a pup goes unnoticed.” I look at him sideways but notice that he is serious.
“Listen, maybe she absorbed our scent faster. It sometimes happens with pups without parents around”, I suggest. “And she clearly loves Midnight Moon and feels right at home here. The only thing she complains about is you. And surprisingly, you're also her best friend. You obviously can't stay away from each other for long."
Jace shakes his head defenselessly. “Goodness, she's getting all my attention. Even when I work, she sits in my study. But I don't want her in my apartment. That will elicit all kinds of nasty comments and I don't want to defy my reputation," he sighs.
"How do you mean? Everyone knows you're straight. No one will question your actions”, I say confidently. “What exactly is going on?” Again my Beta sighs deeply, his eyes shift back to the girl who is now talking to the coach. They seem to be discussing some strategies that should allow her to gain a wider lead over her competitors in the coming matches. In Jace's eyes, I see adoration and pride.
“She keeps pestering me for wanting to sleep in my room. I lock my door every day now because I know what she's capable of. This little devil is always trying to get her way,” he says softly, still staring at Erina.
“Yes, she is persistent. And that is her formula for success. Look how sounder our team has become after she joined. I have so much hope for our pack now”, I say happily. Erina turns her face to us as if she senses that we are talking about her. I smile at her to show that I've watched her win. She waves to us and I see Jace eagerly raising his hand, smiling broadly.
“You know, Jace. I think you both want to be together all day. Erina told me she has so much to tell you but has to wait too long before she sees you in the mornings”, I say now. “Why don't you look for a nanny? An older woman who lives in with you? Just let Erina sleep in one of the other rooms as a concession to her wish to live with you. The nanny can then serve as a chaperone”.
Jace hesitates.
“My privacy, Enrick. With a nanny around, I will have to unlearn a number of things. For example, I can no longer watch television naked or without a shirt,” he adds, running a hand through his hair.
“Yes, but see what you get in return for your sacrifice. The nanny keeps your stay clean and tidy, makes your breakfast that you use together with Erina. And the little girl is no longer on your mind”, I tell him.
He is quiet for a moment, probably weighing the pros and cons.
“Yes, I think that may work”, he admits. “I will immediately throw out a vacancy. Then I'm a bit calmer if I don't see her or know where she is. She will tell me about her days right at the dining table”.
A frown.
Doesn't that sound like a mate's concern? Because that's exactly how I feel when I don't see Drina. There's more going on here than Jace is telling....