Fates Entwined

54

I followed him out of the kitchen like a lost puppy, abandoning our tea. He slid his arms into his jacket and wouldn’t meet my eyes as he leaned over to grab his duffel bag.

“Where are you going?” I asked. “Aren’t you staying here with us?”

Wesley smiled sadly and shook his head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

He opened the front door and paused, like he wanted to say something else, or maybe was waiting for me to tell him to stay. It would be easy. I could make up an excuse like I didn't like the idea of staying here alone. But then what? There was no future for us. The idea alone was too wild for me to even consider. And tomorrow, when his mind was clear, he'd realize that too.

"Good night, Wesley," I said.

He dipped his head in response, and then he was gone. I closed the door and leaned against it, listening to the sound of a car starting and then driving away. It felt like a part of my heart went with him.

Maybe I should go after him. I eyed the keys to Ayla's car hanging on the hook by the door. It would be easy enough to chase him down and tell him to come back.

Upstairs, Adriana let out a shrill, loud cry. I sighed and shook my head. What was I thinking? That I'd run out into the night and chase down someone who wasn’t even my mate and beg him to stay here with me? I couldn't leave her, and it would be silly to pretend that I was the old Mira, who could do things like that. I was a mom now and Adriana would always come first. Getting involved with Wesley would only complicate things, especially since he was the Cancer alpha. Adriana was a Pisces, and so I had to be one too.

I sighed and headed upstairs to settle Adriana and give her some milk. She kept crying until I picked her up and settled her in my arms. She made an expression that reminded me so much of Aiden that my throat tightened with emotion. I'd already lost a mate once. It didn't matter that the mate bond between us had been created by the Sun Witches, it felt real to us at the time. Losing him had been like losing part of my soul, and I wasn't sure I could ever get close to anyone again after going through that. Not even Wesley.

Adriana was asleep again, and I pressed a kiss to her tiny nose. “We’re going to be fine together, just you and me. Isn't that right, my sweet girl?”

She didn't answer, of course. I looked out the window at the snow still falling and hoped that it was true.

CHAPTER THREE

In the morning I received a bunch of texts letting me know the baby had arrived and everyone was doing well. Adriana and I spent the day inside since the snow had fallen all night, leaving huge, dense drifts of it all around the village. Eventually, Ayla told me she was ready for visitors, so after lunch, I packed Adriana up in our borrowed car and drove to the midwife's house. I couldn't wait to meet the new baby and check in on Ayla too.

I knocked on the door, holding Adriana in one arm and my diaper bag in the other, and was surprised when Stella opened it.

“Mira! You’re here, come in!” She hugged me gingerly, careful not to crush Adriana between us, and ushered me into the midwife’s house. We stepped into a welcoming living room, where Jordan was standing by the fireplace. As I entered, he gave me a little wave, and I gave him one in return. I was still surprised about Stella being mated to Jordan. I never would have expected the two of them to be mates, but there was no denying that they seemed to be happy now.

Stella smiled down at Adriana. “Isn’t she just the cutest thing? Can I hold her?”

“Please,” I said.

Stella took her gently, bouncing her a little, and Adriana giggled. "She's gotten so big! And she looks just like Aiden."

"Yes, she does. How are things going in the Leo pack?”

Stella held Adriana closer to her so she could focus on me. “Everything is going well, much to my surprise."

“Stella’s selling herself short,” Jordan said, smiling at Stella. “She’s really settled in as my alpha female and is also working at the local elementary school."

"That's great," I said, feeling both happy and envious, all at once. They both seemed so...content. Even when I'd been mated, I'd never felt that way. Maybe because my mate bond had been a lie. Would a real one feel different?

"Hey everyone." Kaden stepped into the hallway, carrying a small bundle in his arms close to his chest. As he drew closer, I saw brilliant blue eyes and fuzzy white hair. “I’d like to introduce you all to my son, Jack.”

"Oh, Kaden." Stella's eyes immediately filled with tears and she wiped at them, no doubt thinking of her good friend, Jack. Like Aiden, he'd given his life in the final battle against the Sun Witches. "That's the perfect name." "Hello, little nephew," Jordan said, peering down at the baby.

"He's beautiful," I said, smiling at Kaden. "I'm so happy for you."

He nodded. "Ayla was asking for you. Feel free to go back and see her."

"Go," Stella said, hefting Adriana up on her hip. "I don't mind holding her while you two chat."

"Thank you." It was nice to have some help with Adriana, even if only for a few minutes.

I stepped past Kaden and knocked on the door he'd come out of. A tired, familiar voice said, “Come in,” and I pushed the door open.