Fates Entwined

56

“We can watch Adriana while you go,” Stella said.

“Are you sure?” I asked. “You really don’t have to.”

"It's no trouble at all." Stella glanced over at Jordan, who nodded. "Besides, it's good practice for us. You see... I'm pregnant. Surprise!"

“Congratulations!” I said, giving her a quick hug. "You’ll make great parents I’m sure."

"Thank you," said Jordan. "We weren't expecting it to happen so quickly."

I picked up Adriana and gave her a kiss. "Mommy has to go out for a few minutes, but Auntie Stella and Uncle Jordan are going to watch you, okay? I promise I'll be back soon." I handed her to Stella again but hesitated. "Everything you need is in her diaper bag. Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"We'll be fine, I promise." Stella bounced Adriana on her hip like a natural. She'd been a kindergarten teacher before, so she was used to dealing with kids, and Adriana already seemed to love her.

"Go," Jordan said. "We'll call you if we have any trouble."

"Thank you," I said, relieved that I wouldn't have to take Adriana out into this storm. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

I gripped my coat tighter and ventured out into the storm, intent on fixing what I’d messed up last night.

CHAPTER FOUR

As I drove out of town the snow really started coming down, faster than anyone expected, and once I turned where Kaden had instructed, there wasn’t even a road or a set of tire tracks to follow. My borrowed car wasn’t suited for this much snow, but I wasn’t sure anything short of an off-road vehicle would be able to handle it either.

I slowed down, trying to pull my car through the heavier snow, but soon it was impossible to make it through. I stopped and turned my car off, staring out at the forest in front of me. There wasn't time to go back and try to find a better car to reach Wesley. I’d have to do something on my own, without my car. The thought of abandoning it gave me anxiety, but I didn’t have a choice if I wanted to reach Wesley in time to bring him back to town before the storm got even worse.

I stripped out of my clothes quickly and left the keys in the visor above the driver’s side. Then I hopped out of the car, slammed the door shut, and shifted before the cold hit me too hard. My brown wolf exploded out of me and I was instantly warmer, thanks to my fur coat, but I didn't want to be out here when the storm truly hit.

I continued on toward where I thought the cabin might be, my paws sinking into the thick snow. The whole world around me was white, and I squinted my eyes and flattened my ears, but it was hard to see very far. My nose twitched, but I didn't smell anything useful. The cabin had to be nearby though, so I kept going, letting my instincts guide me.

As the wind howled around me, turning the snow into something closer to a blizzard, I wondered if I'd made a huge mistake. What was I thinking, leaving Adriana to come out here alone? I debated heading back to the car, but at this point, I wasn't sure I'd be able to find it. I spun around but saw nothing except snow-covered trees on either side of me. Where was this damn cabin?

I let out a howl, desperate and frustrated. I didn’t expect anyone to answer, but to my surprise, over the sound of the wind, I heard an answering howl. One my soul instantly recognized. Wesley!

I bolted toward the sound, energy renewed. If I could just pick up on Wesley's scent, I’d be able to find him. He was close, I could feel it. I ran through the snow as fast as my four legs would take me, no longer feeling the cold. All that mattered was reaching him.

I howled again, and he answered, long and low, but a lot closer now. I lifted my nose to the air, trying to catch his scent. There, just on the edge of the wind, a trace of salt and sea. I turned my head, trying to pinpoint it, and spotted a dark shape appearing in the distance.

Wesley's gray wolf bounded toward me, huge and majestic. Relief made my legs go weak, and I let out a soft whine as he approached, my tail wagging. He put his head against mine and nuzzled me, huffing out a pleased breath. His fur was warm and mostly dry. I leaned into him and rubbed my chin against his flank, so happy to see him that I was nearly vibrating from it.

I'd come here to talk to Wesley, but after desperately trying to find him in a snowstorm, everything seemed clear. He was my mate, and there was no way I was going to let him slip out of my fingers again. At that moment, I didn't care about pack politics or the fact that I was a widow and a single mom, all I knew was that Wesley was my true mate and I was done denying it.

I pulled back and looked him in the eyes, triggering the mate bond. The connection snapped into place immediately and felt so natural as if it had always been there and we'd finally realized it. The gaping hole in my soul, the part that was destroyed when Aiden died, was filled again with something new and wonderful, making me complete once more. I would always love Aiden and would miss him for the rest of my life, but there was room in my heart for Wesley too, I realized. I didn't have to be alone anymore.

Wesley licked my face and then nudged me forward. He jerked his head back the way he’d come from, and I dipped my head in assent, signaling I would follow. Together we ran off into the woods, and the snow-covered forest was beautiful now that I was no longer worried about finding Wesley anymore. We chased each other through the trees, dodging fallen branches and running just out of reach of each other. It had been a long time since I’d had fun like this, just running through the snow without a care in the world. My heart swelled with joy, the new mate bond thrumming strong between us.