Fates Entwined

50

"Come inside, both of you," Ayla said, stepping back. "I've got the fire going, and I'll make us some hot chocolate."

"No, no, I'll do it," I said, after setting down my things. I got Adriana out of her stroller and set her down on the floor. "You need to rest, and I still remember where everything is. This is why I'm here after all."

"Fine, but only because moving is a struggle at the moment," Ayla said, before sinking into a comfortable armchair with a groan.

While Larkin took my bags up to my room, I set about making hot chocolate for the three of us. I'd stayed with Ayla and Kaden after I had Adriana when the grief of losing Aiden combined with the post-pregnancy hormone crash and the difficulties of being a new mom all got to be too much for me. I would forever be in their debt for helping me out during that time, and now it was my turn to help them. Ayla was supposed to have her baby any day now, and she had no parents to help her out. Sure, she had Celeste, the Moon Witch High Priestess, but they didn't have that kind of relationship. As Ayla's oldest and closest friend, it was my duty and honor to help her with whatever I could during this time. Plus I was just really freaking excited that she was going to be a mom too.

When the hot chocolate was ready, the three of us sat down by the fireplace, while Adriana crawled across the floor and played with some of the toys I'd brought.

"Mm, this is exactly what I needed," Larkin said, as she took a sip of her hot chocolate.

"Me too. Thanks, Mira." Ayla smiled at me over her mug. “We haven’t really had a chance to just sit and catch up for a while. How are things in the Pisces pack?”

I tried to keep the smile pinned on my face, but any warmth I’d felt before evaporated just like that. I’d hoped that I could avoid talking about this, but both Larkin and Ayla waited expectantly for me to answer.

“Fine,” I said and took a sip of my hot chocolate to avoid having to say anything else.

“Wow,” Ayla said. “Tell your face that.”

“Really. It’s fine, I’m just tired, keeping up with Adriana and everything.”

“We’ve been friends for years. Do you really think I don’t know when you’re lying? Come on, what’s going on Mira?”

"Is something wrong with the Pisces pack?" Larkin asked.

"No, nothing like that." I closed my eyes for a moment before beginning. "The Pisces pack has been nothing but kind and welcoming to me. Their town in Alaska is so beautiful sometimes I can't believe it's real. But everything there reminds me of Aiden. I only moved there because I was mated to him, and now that he's gone..." My voice wavered and I had to stop a moment to compose myself. "I'm just a bit lonely, that's all."

Larkin made a sympathetic noise. “You must miss him terribly.”

“I’m not sure if my heart will ever heal from the pain of losing my mate." My chest hurt just saying the words out loud, but I looked down at Adriana, who'd crawled over to me and was offering one of her toys. She smiled, all gums and chubby cheeks, and the ache eased a tiny bit. “The only thing that makes it bearable is knowing he lives on in Adriana.”

Ayla sipped her hot chocolate as I spoke, her eyebrows drawn down in a frown. “Is there anyone in the pack you’re close to? Anyone you can talk to?”

I shook my head. “No, I haven't been able to connect with anyone. My in-laws are nice, and I'm grateful to them for everything, but they really only care about their granddaughter.” I felt awful admitting that out loud. They’d done their best to make me feel included, but it was always clear that Adriana came first for them. “They can be a little controlling, too. They’re always telling me how Adriana should be raised. And there's no escape since I'm a guest in their home."

“I’m sorry,” Ayla said. “I had no idea it was so hard for you.”

“Don’t be sorry. I know they mean well, and they’re grieving too. Aiden was their only child and his loss was very hard on them. Adriana is all they have left too.” The mood in the room had darkened, and I straightened up, waving the words away. “But enough of that. I’m just relieved to get away for a while and visit my friends. I’m sure all I need is a little vacation and I'll be as good as new. How about you both? How have things been going?”

Ayla put her mug down on the coffee table, groaning as she leaned forward, and then let out a contented sigh as she settled back onto her chair. “Not much is new. We’re just waiting for the baby to arrive. I’m getting pretty impatient, but my due date isn't for another few days.” She rubbed her hands along her sides and pulled a face. “I can hardly move at this point, and it makes it hard to get up and pee. Which I have to do constantly.”

I chuckled softly while picking Adriana up off the floor and setting her on my lap. "I remember those days. But it’ll all be worth it once the baby is here.”

"I can't wait," Ayla said with a sigh. "I just wish he or she would hurry up already."

"How about you, Larkin?” I asked.

“I’ve been really busy,” she said, as she stretched her legs out toward the fire. “I’m trying to find a place for the Moon Witches to settle now that many have agreed to return to Earth. At the moment they’re staying here with the Ophiuchus pack, but it’s so crowded. We need our own town that we can settle into.”