Fates Entwined

61

Ayla and Kaden had headed upstairs a few minutes before Larkin left to settle Jack down to sleep, and Wesley was back in the living room with Adriana.

I headed back in to sit down on the couch and watch them for a few minutes. Wesley was seated on the floor, lifting one of Adriana’s toy cars and making whooshing noises to make it fly. Adriana giggled and reached for it, and Wesley immediately let her have it.

“You’re so good with her,” I said. “She already loves you.”

Wesley turned to look at me and smiled. “I’m glad. I wanted to get a good score from the toughest judge in the house.”

I nudged at him with my foot, grinning. Wesley grabbed it and pulled me forward. I went, laughing, and ended up on the floor with him and Adriana. She climbed onto my lap, and Wesley resumed playing with her toy car, swinging it through the air.

I grabbed for it, pretending to miss it, and Adriana watched, engrossed as we play-fought for the toy. Eventually, she grabbed it from us and started running it along Wesley’s leg. He held very still, looking down at her.

My heart ached from being so full as I watched the two of them interact. I could already feel in my soul that I’d made the right choice. Wesley would love her like his own child, that much was clear already. I felt confident that Aiden would want this too. He really always had wanted to make me happy, and after his death, I was sure he’d give his blessing for me to move on. Especially if it was also the best thing for Adriana.

Uneasiness returned just as fast though as I thought about the impending phone conversation I’d have to have with Aiden’s parents. They wouldn’t let Adriana go without a fight, and they’d probably try to tell me that I was making a selfish decision. I was scared of what that conversation would bring, but I tried to push it out of my mind.

Adriana rubbed her eyes a few moments later, knocking me out of my ruminations. “Oh, she’s getting tired,” I said, and Wesley dropped the toy. “I should put her to bed before she gets cranky from being up too late.”

I picked her up and started heading up the stairs, bouncing Adriana and humming to her as I climbed the stairs. To my surprise, as I opened my door, Wesley followed me.

“What is it?” I asked.

Wesley motioned toward her crib. “I want to learn how to do it all, so I can help you out. I know I won’t be of much help for a bit, but I’m a fast learner.”

I frowned and shifted Adriana over to one hip. “Are you sure you’re ready for this whole dad thing? It’s a lot, and it’s not all fun, and it was thrust upon you suddenly. I don’t expect you to pick it all up right away.”

Wesley took Adriana from my arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You're wrong. I’ve been preparing to be a dad for months, ever since I saw you at the Convergence and knew you were my mate. I was just waiting for you to come around to the idea.”

I was momentarily breathless. “You were so sure I’d say yes?”

Wesley grinned. “I knew I’d win you over eventually with my stunning good looks and impeccable charm.”

“Well, it worked."

Wesley wrapped his free arm around me, pulling us into a group hug. "Mira, I want this. I want you, and Adriana, and everything that comes with you both. I’m prepared for the not-so-good days, as well as the good ones, and I want us to be a real family.”

My heart swelled, and I leaned in to kiss him. “You’re perfect." I pulled back, but I left a hand on his chest. "I'm ready to give you my answer now."

"Your answer?" His eyes widened.

I drew in a breath. "We're coming with you. We'll join the Cancer pack. I don't care what the Pisces pack says."

He touched my cheek in wonder. "My mate. My alpha female." And then he touched Adriana's cheek. "And my daughter. I'm so happy you'll be coming home with me soon."

"Me too." I stepped aside and pulled out Adriana's pajamas. “We really should put Adriana to bed though, so we can have some alone time.”

“What a good incentive to learn quickly,” he said with a grin.

CHAPTER SEVEN

I opened my car window and breathed in deeply before letting out a sigh. We were back in the Cancer pack village, and it felt exactly like coming home. The cool air was tinged with the briny scent of the ocean, and I tilted my head back, letting the sea breeze wash over me, along with the distant sound of waves lapping against the shore and the docks.

We'd stayed with Ayla and Kaden for a week, helping them adjust to parenthood, and I'd called my in-laws during that time and explained everything to them. They hadn’t been happy at all, unwilling to even entertain the idea of me leaving the Pisces pack to join the Cancer pack. They'd told me to come back immediately and argued that I couldn't take Adriana away from them or from their pack. It had escalated to yelling, and I’d hung up on them after several failed attempts to get them to calm down. I wasn't sure what would happen with them next, but I couldn't worry about that now. It didn't matter if I never went back to the Pisces pack to collect my things. I had everything I needed right here.

Wesley smiled over at me as he slowed down, driving through familiar streets. I glanced over my shoulder, but Adriana was still asleep in the back. She’d traveled incredibly well the whole way, first on the airplane and then in Wesley's car. I couldn't wait for her to wake up and see her new home.