Page 57 of Shifting Fate
Arias
I speared a chunk of sausage with my fork, only half-paying attention to my breakfast. With my phone in the other hand, I tapped out a good morning message to Dallon. It wasn’t quite seven, so I knew he wouldn’t be up yet, but it’d be there for him when he awoke. I swore, the guy slept more than anyone else I knew.
Then again, he was probably worn out from all the sex we’d been having.
I bit my lip to hide my grin, obviously failing at that when Tristram smirked at me from across the table. He swallowed his bite of food, then leaned forwards with his arms crossed in front of him. His dark eyes locked in on me, and I knew the questions were coming.
“Things with Dallon are going well?”
“Yeah,” I replied, then held up my hand. “I know, I know. ‘I told you so.’ Congratulations. I’m an idiot. Trust me, I’m kicking myself for not giving into his charms sooner, but good lord. He’s…”
“Perfect?” Tristram mused.
A slow smile stretched across my face. Warmth pooled in my belly. “No, not perfect. Nobody’s perfect. Dallon has his flaws, but damn, Tris. He’s perfect forme. I’ve always believed in fated mates, but I never felt like I deserved one. I guess I tried to make peace with the fact that I’d probably live the rest of my life alone, and now? It hasn’t been that long, but already, I can’t imagine my life without him.”
“I know.” He hummed, then scooped more scrambled eggs onto his fork. “I can see it in your eyes. Your wolf is at peace. He’shappy, Arias. I wish you would’ve listened to me when I first said that Dallon was completely right for you. Better late than never, I suppose?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, you’re right. All that matters is that he’s mine, for now until…the end, I guess.”
The humor siphoned out of me, like pulling the plug on the bathtub drain. It was replaced by a deep sadness. Until the end. However long that was. It could be tomorrow, or it could be next week, but therewouldbe an end.
Tristram had seen our future and it was bleak. I didn’t want to believe that the fates would give us our mates, only to rip the rug right out from beneath our feet. I didn’t want to believe that the gods could be so cruel, but we, as mortals, were born to die. It was only a matter of time until when.
Tristram’s sigh was heavy. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“How can I not?” I asked, pushing my plate away from me. I wasn’t hungry anymore. “I saw it too, remember?” After Tristram’s last vision had struck, after he’d explained our fate to me and Espen, I was in denial. It wasn’t until he offered for me to mindwalk, to experience it for myself, did I believe him.
I regretted that decision the minute I saw Dallon dying in my arms, his eyes glassy and his lips parted, gasping through blood bubbles for his last breath.
I pinched my eyes shut and swallowed down the bile that quickly rose to the back of my throat. I’d never be able to forget it, not for as long as I lived.
Tristram’s lips pulled back in a grimace. “I’m sorry, I—” His phone rang, vibrating loudly across the table. He picked it up, frowned, then answered. “Hello?”
I could hear a deep voice on the other end of the line, talking quickly. Tristram listened, then nodded in silent agreement. “No, I think that’s a good call. The sooner we come up with a gameplan, the better off we’ll all be. When?” A pause, and then, “We’ll be there. Thanks.”
He hung up and caught my eye. “That was Rhine. He’s been in contact with Espen and Merrick, and they’ve gone ahead and organized an official tri-pack meeting.”
If he was offended by the fact that they hadn’t even asked his opinion on the matter, he didn’t show it. Then again, Tristram had always been the low-key sort of Alpha who took everything in stride. I honestly got the feeling that he was relieved to not have the weight of these decisions planted solely on his shoulders.
“When?” I asked.
“Nine. Espen and Merrick are hosting, since their place is the biggest. Five members from each pack will be there, including you, of course.” He barked out a soft laugh. “You’re not making me sit through this by myself. I need moral support.”
I huffed. “You’re the Alpha, not me.”
“You’re practically my second.”
“Hey, I never—”
“Arias.” He deadpanned, suddenly serious. “I know that you’re struggling with the idea, but I’m telling you, you’re the best wolf for the job. I need someone who will have my back and I trust you. Implicitly.”
“What about Dad?” I frowned. “We have the same abilities.”
Tristram gave his head a small shake. “Jaeger and I don’t always see eye to eye, you know that. He’s too reactive, too quick to jump to conclusions. I know he has a good heart, deep down, but in the end, it’s you who I want at my side. You’re one of the best friends I have. Hell, you’re practically my brother.”
My tense shoulders loosened a notch or two. “I don’t want to let you down.”
“You won’t,” he assured me. “Think about it? For me? And if you decide you truly don’t want the position, I’ll ask Ambrose.”
