Fates Entwined

62

I hadn’t been back here for over a year, since we’d all left for the Convergence. I’d gone straight to the Pisces pack, and there hadn’t been a chance to come back for the rest of my things after the Leos slaughtered much of the Cancer pack that night. After that, it wasn't safe to come back here, and then once it was, I'd had a baby to look after.

As we drove through the main part of town, I noted that some of the shops I remembered were closed, and there was a distinct lack of the usual activity. No children running in the streets, and very few pack members loitering around outside the stores.

“It seems different,” I said, turning to look at Wesley. “Quieter.”

“We’re still trying to get back to living in the village after being in hiding for so long, and our numbers are fewer these days. Entire families were wiped out, or only left behind orphans who were too young to go to the Convergence.” His voice went a bit quieter, and he clenched the steering wheel. “Barely anyone made it out alive that day.”

"I know." I reached over and put my hand on his knee. "I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you, becoming alpha so suddenly after so much loss."

"It wasn't easy, and a part of me will never forgive the packs that were involved, or the Sun Witches for what they did. So much of our pack was wiped out that night. But we're crabs. We're tough, and like water, we adapt and change. That's what I've focused on this last year."

"You're an incredible alpha."

He ducked his head. "I don't know about that, but I've done the best I can for our people. I'm glad you'll be by my side as my alpha female going forward though."

He turned down a familiar street, and my throat clogged up as I realized where we were going. I looked down at my hands, trying to get ahold of my emotions, but I’d hardly had any time to process my parents' deaths when there was so much going on with the Leo pack and then the Sun Witches.

Wesley stopped, and I forced myself to look up. The house stood, familiar as ever with its blue paint and white awnings, but I could tell even from the outside that it was empty. Tears welled up, and I was helpless to stop them as I remembered my parents caring for me and making sure that I had a good childhood. Good and bad memories alike returned to me. My mother making pancakes for me and Ayla. My father reading a book to me before bed. My mother arguing with my father while I listened from my room. My father coming home, injured after he'd challenged the alpha and lost. They both wanted our pack to be better. To return to the ideals that the Cancer pack once held. But they'd failed, and the alpha had punished our entire family in return.

Now that I was going to become alpha female, maybe I could finish what they'd started.

“This is your house now,” Wesley said. “You’re the only surviving member of your family.”

“I miss them so much." I shook my head, sniffling as tears continued running down my cheeks. There were so many good memories there, but all I could remember now was that my parents were dead and that this house would always be empty and echoing. There wouldn’t be anyone calling my name from downstairs, or giving me a hug after a long day. “I’m not sure if I can face it. Not yet.”

Wesley reached over and took my hand. He laced our fingers together and squeezed. “It’s okay,” he said, voice warm. “It’ll be here for whenever you’re ready. You can decide when that is.”

“Can I see where we'll be living?” I asked, wiping the tears away. There would be time to grieve later. Right now, I wanted to settle in and make sure Adriana felt comfortable here.

Wesley nodded and put the car into reverse. He drove back the way we’d come and then turned toward the ocean. We drove up the road that led to the alpha’s residence, a huge two-story house that perched at the very top of a cliff and overlooked the ocean.

“I always loved this house,” I said as we drove up. “It’s so gorgeous, and the ocean views… Incredible.”

“It’s yours now." He still hadn’t let go of my hand and he squeezed it again.

I opened my mouth, but before I could even think of what to say, I noticed a group of people standing in the driveway. I recognized almost all of them. My teachers, distant cousins, and people I went to school with. I was so relieved to see them alive, but what were they doing here?

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Everyone wants to meet their new alpha female,” Wesley said. “They were so excited to hear you were coming home.”

He put the car into park and looked over at me expectantly. I felt frozen with nerves, looking at all the people outside. It hadn’t truly hit me yet, that being Wesley’s mate included being alpha female and a leader to all of these people. I’d thought about it in vague terms, but seeing all these people I knew made me realize that things would change. They would look to me for advice and help now. Was I ready for all that responsibility?

“What’s wrong?” Wesley asked.

“I don't know if I can get out,” I said. "I never planned to be alpha female. I never wanted it. I just wanted a quiet life near the water with my handsome mate and my family.”

“You can still have all of that. You have the handsome mate, after all."

I swallowed hard. I was too nervous to laugh, but I appreciated his attempt at lightening the situation.

"Mira, you’re exactly what the Cancer pack needs right now. We're all just trying to heal after what happened.”

I nodded slowly. "I'll try."

“That’s really all we can do,” Wesley said. “It’s all I’m doing, too.”