Day 2
1029 Words
(Isla)
Day 2.
Mira ripped the blanket off me at 8am. “Up," she said. "You’re going outside."
"I don’t want to," I mumbled.
"Too bad," she tossed me a sweater. "If you stay in here one more day you’re going to lose it. Fresh air. Ten minutes. That’s all I’m asking."
I didn’t argue.
The air outside was cold. It hurt my lungs in a good way but pack was already moving and of course they saw us.
"Isla, dear." Old Marta grabbed my hands. “Whatever you decide, the Goddess knows best. A bond is a blessing. Think of the pups."
Jaren from the yard: "It would be easier if you just agreed. For the pack."
Three wives: "Have you been eating? Pregnancy is hard, especially if you’re already... you know."
Every word was the same as Rowan’s, just dressed up nicer.
By the time we reached the stream, I was shaking.
Mira sat me down. "Breathe. They’re idiots. All of them."
"I know," I said. "But they keep saying it. Like if they say it enough I’ll believe it."
We sat in silence. The water was loud and for the first time in 2 days I could think.
Then we heard footsteps behind us. They were heavy and familiar but did nothing to calm me down.
"s**t," Mira whispered.
Caleb.
He stopped a few feet away and he looked as bad as yesterday. Maybe worse.
"What are you doing here?" Mira asked. Her voice was flat.
"Looking for you," Caleb said. He was looking at me, but his eyes kept flicking to Mira, like he couldn’t help it. "Isla. I wanted to make sure you’re okay after yesterday."
"I’m fine," I said.
Caleb nodded but he didn’t leave. He just stood there and the air changed. It got warmer and thicker.
His scent spiked……….Pine and leather and something else. Something that made my wolf whine.
Mira went completely still beside me.
I felt it too, it was a tug but not my bond with Zayden. This was different and softer.
Caleb’s eyes blew wide. "Oh," he breathed.
Mira made a sound. Half gasp, half curse. "No. No no no."
"Yes," Caleb whispered. He took a step forward. Then another. "Mira."
"Don’t," Mira said but her voice shook.
Caleb crouched in front of her. He wasn’t looking at me anymore at all. It was like I wasn’t there.
"Mira," he said again. Like her name was the only word he knew. He reached out and touched her face. No hesitation. Like he’d been waiting his whole life to do it. "It’s you. It’s always been you."
Mira slapped his hand away. "Don’t do this. Not now. Not to me."
"I’m not doing anything," Caleb said. His voice was rough. "The Goddess did. You’re my mate, Mira. My fated mate."
The word hit me like ice water.
Mate.
Hers.
Mira stared at him. Her eyes were wet. "I don’t want this."
"I know," Caleb said. "But I do. I want you. All of you." His eyes dragged over her. Not with pity. Not with assessment. With something that looked a lot like awe.
Mira wasn’t skinny. She wasn’t chubby. She was strong and solid with arms that could knead bread and throw a punch. She had curves like me.……... The kind of body that worked hard and lived in it and Caleb looked at her like she was the answer.
"You’re perfect," he whispered. "You’ve always been perfect. I was too stupid to see it."
Mira made a broken sound and covered her face.
Caleb pulled her into his arms and just like that and she let him. She buried her face in his chest and cried.
Not loud. Just quiet and shaking.
I sat there on the rock and watched it happen.
My best friend.
Getting held like she was precious.
Getting told she was perfect.
Getting chosen.
24 hours ago I’d been told I was "soft." "Plump." "A problem." "Not built for it."
The bond in my chest twisted. Zayden felt it. He knew.
"Isla?" Caleb’s voice as gentle as always.
I looked up. He still had one arm around Mira. But he was looking at me.
"I’m happy for you," I said. And I meant it. I did.
Mira deserved this. She deserved someone who looked at her like she hung the moon. “Really. I am."
Caleb nodded. He looked guilty. "I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t come here for this."
"I know," I said.
Mira pulled back from him, wiping her face. She looked at me. "Isla—"
"I’m okay," I cut her off. I forced a smile. "Really. Go. Talk to him."
She hesitated. Then Caleb stood and held out his hand. Mira took it.
They walked a few steps away. Talking quietly. His hand never left hers and I sat there by the stream. Alone.
Everyone’s advice from this morning rang in my ears.
Think of the pups. Think of the pack. Built for it. Carrying extra.
And now my best friend had what I was supposed to have.
And she got it without having to beg. Without having to be "useful."
The water kept running.
When they came back, Mira’s eyes were red but her hand was still in Caleb’s.
"We’re going to talk," she said to me. "At his place. He’ll walk us back first."
I nodded.
The walk back was quiet. Caleb didn’t let go of Mira’s hand once.
At the cottage door, Mira hugged me hard.
"I’m not going anywhere," she whispered. "Okay? I’m still here."
"I know," I said.
They left and I closed the door.
And for the first time since the square, I cried.
Not because I was angry but because I was tired of being the one everyone gave advice to.
Tired of being the "duty."
Tired of watching other people get chosen.
Day 2.
One day left.
I went to the wall and added the second s***h.
Under it I wrote: My choice.
No one was going to decide my life for me.
Not Zayden.
Not Rowan.
Not even the Goddess.
I was leaving.
And no one would know where.
- Writer
