A Struggle

[Ivan’s POV]

"Come on." I said, holding out a hand for Arissa to take.

I took in her vulnerable form sitting on the ground in front of me. Since meeting, she had never let me see this side of her. Usually she would laugh off her sadness or frustrations, but this time it seemed to be too much.

When she didn’t move, I knelt down in front of her and gently touched her chin, making her look at me through the tears that still brimmed her eyes.

"We’ll get your father’s ashes back." I assured her, giving a small peck on the nose. "And when we do, I will make sure that a grand memorial is erected on Fulgur’s pack grounds. He will get the grand burial he deserved as a monarch and an important part of my most important person’s life. "

Maybe I was sounding squishy and maybe Arissa would make jabs at me for it, but it killed me to see her so devestated and lost. All I wanted was to see her smile.

"Now, my love, we really do need to get back."

Nodding, Arissa allowed me to help her to her feet an