Page 112 of Hidden Fates

“I want to have hot cocoa with everyone, but my social battery is drained.”

Ah, that makes sense. After dealing with foot traffic and the doctor’s office, she’s had to be ‘on’ too much today. “Why don’t you soak in the bath for a bit? When you’re nice and relaxed, we can curl up down here and hang out. Play some cards.”

Skye hums, leaning into my palm. “Okay. I like that idea.” She presses a kiss to my hand before skipping to the stairs.

Wandering into the kitchen, I find the rest of our pack gathered there. “She went to take a bath,” I inform them when they pause mid-conversation. “What did the doctor say?”

Caleb shrugs. “Nothing much. We won’t know much until the results from the tests come back.”

“Doctor Koch didn’t say anything to Skye, but she showed me her chart. Our girl gained five pounds before her first visit, and she hasn’t lost it.” Sterling’s words fill my chest with hope.

There is nothing I want more than for Skye to love herself the way we love her.

“Let’s keep this quiet for now,” Quentin advises. “The next appointment is shortly after the New Year. If nothing has changed by then, we’ll celebrate with her.”

We all agree, dispersing from our pack huddle, feeling more optimism for the year to come than we’ve ever felt before.

Two hours later, Skye finds her way downstairs. She’s relaxed, her moonflower scent mellow and bright. “Mmm,” she hums, climbing onto my lap. “Hot cocoa?”

I dig my phone out of my pocket and ask Sterling to make her some. It will take him a few minutes; time I plan to spend with her wrapped in my arms.

“What’s your Christmas wish, Em?”

“This.” I squeeze her tight. “Our pack, happy and together. Making music.”

“I want that. When we came to New York a few months ago, I felt so bad about stepping back from my career. But now, I know I needed the break. I didn’t realize how much I was struggling until I didn’t have recording or touring to use as a crutch.”

Her eyes meet mine. “I don’t mind now. I’m looking forward to having extra time off. Helping you guys figure out how Caleb will fit into your band. Spending time with everyone. Taking an actual vacation and visiting everyone’s families.”

A shiver shakes her body, so I grab the blanket off the back of the couch and pull it around us. “Where would you want to go?”

Running my hands up and down her sides, I let her mull it over. She’s toured so many places, I imagine the list of stops she wanted to explore might be extensive.

“Sri Lanka.”

“Really?” I ask, surprised by her answer. I assumed she’d want to go back to Europe. Visit the beaches in Greece or a vineyard in Italy.

“It’s supposed to be beautiful there. And have amazing food.”

Hiding my smile in her hair, I’m reminded how amazing my girl is. She has fame. A name with weight behind it. She could go anywhere in the world. Eat at the fanciest restaurants and stay in literal castles. Yet all my girl wants is to explore.

Sterling arrives with a tray of marshmallow-loaded hot cocoa mugs, the others trailing behind him.

Piled around the tree, we spend the rest of our night laughing and teasing each other, cherishing the love we’ve found with each other.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Christmas morning brings another layer of snow and an unexpected email from Doctor Koch’s office. Our bloodwork came back, and to everyone’s delight, both of our bonds appear to be stabilizing.

The damage leaving Skye eight years ago is finally being reversed. For her and for me.

It’s weird to not feel the weight of failure crushing me. Guilt still plagues me, knowing that most of this is my fault, but it’s easier to face because, for the first time in nearly a decade, I don’t feel like I’m facing it alone. I have my mates. Our pack. A family.

Chatter flows through the dining room as we pass dishes around the table, enjoying the feast Sterling and his mom spent the day whipping up. Watching the two of them together made me miss my parents, so I snuck away to video call them.

Mom had spent a solid twenty minutes telling me about the museum tickets Cora bought her to use during their visit next month. I’m happy they’re coming, but I don’t know how I’m going to survive her learning more pre-designation pop culture quotes.

“Today’s been amazing,” Skye whispers, leaning her head against my shoulder while she tears apart a dinner roll. “I’m so glad you’re here.”