Fates Entwined

63

“Well, you’re doing a really good job of it. You were born to do it, after all.”

“And I think you’ll do a good job, too." Wesley turned off the car. "I’m going to get out but take your time getting Adriana. There's no rush." I nodded and watched as he exited the car. A few of the people turned with him, walking up to him to talk. I watched them for a few moments, noticing how Wesley turned to answer everyone with a smile. He really was a good alpha.

Most of the people continued looking at me, and I sighed, unclicking my seat belt and getting out. Adriana blinked dark sleepy eyes at me as I unbuckled her from her car seat, and I carefully picked her up. She yawned and instantly turned her head toward the sound of the waves, drawn to them just as I was.

A few of the people came forward to greet me. “Mira,” someone said. “Welcome home.” A few others echoed it, and when I finally chanced a glance up, they were all smiling. Something in me eased. I’d been afraid that when they saw my daughter, they might change their tune a little, but no one seemed to be upset about her presence.

“Mira, your daughter is so beautiful. What's her name?” someone else asked, an old teacher of mine.

“Adriana,” I said, pressing my hand to her head and cupping her neck.

“Hello, Adriana,” Julie, one of my cousins, said. "We're so happy you're here."

My heart softened at the genuine welcome. They let me pass, and I made my way up to where Wesley waited at the foot of the steps. My smile became more genuine, and I nodded hello to all of the people I knew and thanked them.

Once I made it up to the porch, Wesley put his arm around me and looked out at the gathered group of people. “Thank you so much for coming. I’m so honored that you’d take time out of your day to greet my new mate, but it’s been a long journey, and we all need to rest. There will be time to catch up later, and I’ll answer any questions you have then. I know I’ve been away for a few days, and there are some matters I need to attend to, but we can discuss them in the next day or two."

A murmur went through the crowd, and a few people nodded. The group slowly dispersed, with many calling goodbye as they left. I raised my hand and waved to them, and then Wesley led me up the steps.

He unlocked the door and motioned for me to go inside in front of him. The house mostly looked like I remembered, but emptier, like Wesley had been getting rid of things. Jackie had decorated it in a very modern style, with gray, white, and black furniture. Beautiful, but a bit cold. I could already imagine ways I could keep the best pieces but spruce things up with some new art, decorative pillows, and accent pieces.

When he noticed me looking around he shrugged. “I figured I didn’t need all of my parent’s stuff. A lot of it wasn’t really my taste, but I haven’t had a chance to make it mine yet.”

“I understand that. We’ve all been a bit busy this last year.”

Wesley blew out an amused breath. “I was hoping you could help me make it a home. Feel free to change or buy anything you want for it.

“Really?” I asked.

"I meant it when I said this would be your place as well. I want us to make it a home together. A perfect place for all three of us."

Adriana shifted in my arms and made a disgruntled little noise. I shushed her and ran my hand down her back, but it didn’t do any good. She started crying, and I realized it had been hours since she'd eaten.

“I bet she’s hungry,” I said. “I’d better get her something to eat."

“I’ll get it, in just a minute. Can I show you something first?”

"Sure." I followed him as he went upstairs, shushing and soothing Adriana as best as I could.

Wesley stopped in front of a door that I remembered well. Whenever I’d come to visit Ayla, I could see him coming in and out of his room, which he usually kept shut. Stay out of my room, he had said more than once, when he was a sulky teenager.

“Wasn’t this your bedroom?” I asked.

"It was."

Wesley grinned at me and swung the door open. I peered inside, and gasped at the sight of a crib, some toys, a bookshelf with a few picture books, and a huge mobile hanging from the ceiling. The walls were painted a beautiful sea green, with hand-painted mermaids and other sea creatures all over. Front and center was a very detailed, beautiful crab to represent the Cancer pack, but swimming beside it was a large fish, representing the Pisces pack.

“This is so beautiful,” I said. “How did you do this?”

Wesley shook his head. “I didn’t. Everyone in the Cancer pack came together to get the room ready for your arrival.”

“I can’t believe it." I turned Adriana around so she could see the room. She paused in her fussing, enamored by the bright colors and sea creatures. “This is going to be your new room. Isn't it perfect?"

Wesley kissed Adriana’s forehead, and then mine. I closed my eyes, leaned into him, and hugged Adriana close. Now I truly felt like I was home, more than I ever had in the Pisces pack, and it was all because Wesley and the rest of the pack made sure I felt like we were welcome here.