Page 227 of The Heart of Winter

"Good thing you had something nice going on there. You suffered enough beyond that. I’m so incredibly happy that you two found each other! That we have another fated pair in our family. Now everything will work out just fine, that’s how True Mate magic operates," he said with a kind of seriousness, his eyes wide and bright.

Winter suddenly glanced toward the door. Standing there was Snow, and half-hidden in his shadow, the small, timid figure of some guy. I was pretty sure it was the famous Summer Larsen.

Through my bond with Winter, I knew why he hadn’t moved toward them yet. He wanted to respect who Summer was: anxious, shy, easily overwhelmed.

"You heard the big news, right?" Winter called out, beaming. "We’re True Mates, and you’re going to be an uncle. Twice over!"

It wasn’t enough. I felt like I had to do something. After all, I was standing before the two people who had made the difference between meexisting… and not.

With a solemn expression, I stepped forward toward Snow. His pale violet eyes met mine, and I’d never seen anything like them. They were strange, almost alien. I felt a little intimidated, but I extended my hand, and he took it.

"Thank you for saving my life, Snow," I said respectfully. "And you too, I owe you my life," I added, smiling at Summer, and I made a small bow of my head.

Then I hesitated, unsure if I should offer him my hand too, but something in Snow’s energy, a slight tension when I moved even a little toward Summer, hinted that it wouldn’t be a good idea.

So I didn’t reach out. Summer’s big eyes watched me cautiously, but he said nothing, just melted a little deeper into Snow’s shadow.

Snow said nothing either. From what Winter had told me back on the island, that was just how he was: quiet, reserved. He only gave a small nod and offered a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.

"You know," I added, "by saving Winter and me… you actually saved four lives."

Suddenly, I noticed everybody was staring at me, so I cleared my throat.

"That day, the ocean took everyone else. All the other passengers. So I’m doubly grateful for the chance I’ve been given. And I’ll always be in your debt."

Winter’s dad stepped up beside us then, took my hand in one of his and Winter’s in the other.

"And now," he said warmly, "I invite you all to dinner. Jordan and I"—he gestured toward the older beta standing discreetly in the kitchen, trying to be invisible amid all the family revelations—"we cooked earlier, and let’s just say we went a little overboard. There’s more than enough to go around. I hope you’re hungry?"

"Absolutely," I said with a grin. "Now we’re eating for…" I paused, "…four?"

Winter gave me a small smile.

We headed toward the table, and soon dinner was underway. Before long, Winter’s younger brother Bay joined us too, having just returned from a small outdoor concert.

We sat, we ate, we talked. The conversation wandered across all sorts of topics, mostly circling around True Mates and the strange, beautiful things that came with theBond. At one point, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen: Blue.

A smirk tugged at my lips as I excused myself and stepped outside to take the call.

"Well, well, well. Now I’m the last one to find out the big news?" Blue’s grumpy voice buzzed in my ear.

"Yeah, sucks, doesn’t it?" I chuckled.

"Don’t be a smartass. But congratulations. Can’t say I’m surprised. Their family has unusually high compatibility with ours."

There was a pause, full of hidden meanings.

"And congrats on the double pregnancy. You two are in for a lot of work with barely any paid leave. Jacob already said he’s signing over the guesthouse at the top of the DevApp tower for you. Says it can be your second apartment. Winter can chestfeed there and… work, just ride the elevator a few floors down."

"Wait, seriously? He’s already planning our parenting logistics?"

"Of course. It’s in the blood. Every Lowen thinks five steps ahead."

"Jeez. No wonder Winter’s my fated. He’s all about that mindset, too."

As I was wrapping up with Blue, a strange sensation crawled up my spine. I felt someone staring at me.

I ended the call, turned, and flinched.

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