Fates Entwined

12

Finally, Larkin asked, "What about Kaden and Ayla? Do they know?"

"No, and promise me you won't tell them.” I imagined Ayla would try to smooth things over with Jordan, while Kaden would fight to keep us apart. It was better if no one knew.

"I won't, but the truth will come out eventually. Fate has a funny way of making sure we can't escape it." Her expression softened. "You can't avoid Jordan forever. What will you do when you see him again?"

I shook my head, unsure of the answer. The memory of Jordan—his touch, his scent, the warmth of his embrace—haunted me relentlessly, but being his mate filled me with dread. I was trapped between the pull of destiny and the life I wanted, and the way forward seemed more uncertain than ever.

"I don't know. I just can't bear the thought of being his mate and becoming a Leo. I've built my life here, and I don't want to give that up. Especially after he betrayed me. I can't forgive him for that."

"I understand." She reached over and squeezed my hand. "Whatever happens, I'll be here for you."

"Thanks," I murmured, grateful for her unwavering support. I wasn't sure how I was going to get through this, but at least I had a friend who understood what was going on. I knew she was right too. I couldn't escape Jordan forever. At some point, I'd have to face him again, and I had no idea what would happen then.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Months passed, and by the time the leaves began to fall, I'd finally gotten to the point where I didn't think about Jordan every single waking hour. I was down to only once or twice a day, and even then it was usually in passing, a fleeting thought that I quickly dismissed. I kept myself busy with fixing up the cottage and teaching the kindergarten class of pups, and I didn't regret my decision at all. Sure, sometimes I woke up in a cold sweat from a nightmare about Jordan, or worse, a s*x dream, but I pretended they never happened. Life moved on and so did I, even though it always felt like a part of me was missing. All I could do was learn to live with it.

Did I wonder how Jordan was coping? Sometimes. My ears perked up every time Ayla mentioned him, but she never said much, and I never asked for details. I didn't want to know. What if he was a total mess? What if he'd already moved on? I couldn't decide which was worse.

I walked up the winding dirt road from the cottage to Ayla and Kaden's house, clutching a dish with my famous almond poppy seed bread. Their house, a massive cabin nestled on the edge of the Canadian forest, had once belonged to my parents, and every time I visited a wave of nostalgia washed over me. Though I loved my cottage, my heart swelled at the sight of the place I once called home.

I stepped onto the porch with a bounce in my step and knocked on the door. Ayla and Kaden had been so busy with leading the pack lately that I hadn't seen them in days, and I was looking forward to a cozy dinner together.

The front door creaked open and Ayla emerged, her large belly preceding her. "You're just in time. Dinner's almost ready."

A big smile lit up my face. "You look radiant as always."

"Liar. I look like a whale."

She ushered me inside and the familiar scents of cedar and herbs wafted over me. But as we entered the house, a new scent hit me and my smile fell. I froze in place, my hands tightening around the dish in my hands. It was a miracle I didn't drop it.

Jordan stood by the fireplace, his back to me, but there was no mistaking his broad shoulders and tousled gold hair. When he turned around, his blue eyes met mine, a storm of emotion churning behind them. Anger. Longing. Regret.

"What is he doing here?" I asked, unable to hide the disdain in my voice. I had spent months avoiding any thoughts of him, working tirelessly to push him out of my mind, and now he was standing right in front of me. My heart beat faster at his scent and my eyes devoured the sight of him. His smoldering gaze seemed to bore into me too, igniting a fire that I couldn't extinguish.

"Nice to see you too," Jordan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I whipped around to face Ayla, who had an apologetic look on her face. "You didn't tell me he would be here."

"I'm sorry," she said. "I know there's some tension between you two, but I hoped we could all have a nice dinner together. Besides, there's something we need to discuss with you."

My stomach churned with anxiety. Did Ayla and Kaden know about our mate bond? My gaze slid to Jordan again, who seemed to be as uncomfortable as I was, and for a moment our eyes locked. I saw a flicker of something in their blue depths that made my pulse skip, but then he looked away, his jaw clenching. I got the sense he wanted to race out of this place as fast as I did.

"What's this about?" I asked.

Ayla gave me a pointed look. "We'll talk during dinner. Let's just try to enjoy the evening, all right? Can you do that?"

"Sure," I said, plastering on a fake smile. The last thing I wanted was for my pregnant sister-in-law to have any more stress. I could get through one evening with Jordan. "I brought the almond bread you like." "You must have read my mind. I've been craving it all day." She took the dish from me and gestured for us to follow her. "Come on. Kaden's been cooking for hours."

Inside the kitchen, Kaden was pulling a large tray of lasagna out of the oven. "It's just about ready. Grab some wine and have a seat."