Dark Fates (A Paranormal Anthology)(2)

“Sorry, I let my mind wander. What was it, honey?”

“Are you taking care of yourself?” Lexi asked, concern in her tone. “You’re not working too hard on your research, are you? Because…well...because no matter what happens with North, you know that we will always think of you as family. We want you to be healthy too. So don’t put your whole soul into it and hurt yourself. Your wellbeing is important too.”

“I’m minding myself, Lexi. Please don’t worry about me. Tell me about your day and that baby of yours.”

The Jamensons had found themselves in a baby boom of sorts. Each of the seven siblings that ran the Pack had recently had children. Within the last eight months, each of the Jamensons had had babies. Emeline had a feeling she knew exactly what all of them had been doing the moment they knew the war they’d fought for years was finally over.

Since the war with the Centrals had ended the year prior, seven new Jamenson babies had been born into the Redwood Pack and Emeline had a feeling everyone would be having another set in the coming years. They all loved children, Emeline as well, and though they all lived very long lives, having children hundreds of years apart never made sense to most wolves.

Emeline wouldn’t know.

She’d never had a child.

Okay, she really needed to stop feeling so down on herself. It wasn’t attractive. Not that she cared about being attractive, but indulging in a pity party wasn’t on her agenda.

“Isabelle is doing great. She’s such a happy baby. She sleeps through the night even. Something Parker never did. Though Parker might be a well-adjusted kid now, I swear it took until he was three for him to gain that temperament.”

Parker was Lexi’s son from before she’d met North and become a Redwood. North and the Jamensons had adopted him into the family without question. The whole family was like that. Welcoming, and always with open arms.

That, honestly, was most people.

Including Emeline herself. Before she’d found the Jamensons, or, rather, they’d found her, she’d stayed within the elder living area. Always. It had been over a hundred years since she’d left that area of the den before she’d found herself with the Jamensons. The late Alpha, Edward, and his wife, Pat, had come to her to meet her and talk with her. They’d even asked for her help in certain things, and she always gave what advice she could.

Just because she’d lived for hundreds of years didn’t mean she’d actually lived.

“Emeline?”

She shook her head again, annoyed with herself for letting her mind wander. “That baby girl of yours sounds like she’s right where she’s supposed to be. You’ll let me visit her, right?”

She had no idea why she’d said that, but now that she had, she wanted the answer.

“Of course, Emeline. You know you don’t even have to ask. You’re family now.”

That thought warmed her, and she smiled, letting her finger trace a line on her thigh, trying to keep her mind on the conversation at hand rather than allowing it wander. Again.

“Well…” She stopped and licked her lips. “Thank you, Lexi. Maybe I’ll stop by tomorrow.”

“Do it. Come for dinner. Please, Emeline. You need the break, and we’d love to have you.”

“Okay. I can do that.”

So odd. She’d never really done anything as simple as a dinner with friends in so long that she wasn’t even sure what she should do.

“Then we will see you there, Emeline.”

“Should I bring something?”

“Just yourself unless you want to make something. It’s up to you. We’re informal here.”

“I can bring dessert.” She loved baking but hadn’t done too much of it recently since, for years, it hadn’t been the best idea to bake only for herself.

Now, though, she had people to bake for.

“That sounds like a plan.” Lexi let out a sigh, and Emeline knew what was coming. It was always the same, and it pained her not to be able to have a good answer for the other woman. “How’s research going?”

Every time Lexi asked, Emeline pictured North holding his child, unable to see her. The hollowness within her paled in comparison to what he’d lost.

“I don’t have any answers for you yet. I’m sorry, Lexi. I’m trying, but I don’t see it yet. I’m not giving up though.”

Lexi’s silence was expected, but it still didn’t make Emeline feel any better. “Thank you. I know you must tire of me calling, but…but I need to. You know? I know you’d come and find us the moment you figured something out, but I feel like I need to call you. Just in case. If I ever annoy you, or hurt you because I call, tell me. I’ll stop.”

“You’re welcome to call. In fact, I look forward to it.” Well, that was depressing. Looking forward to a call from a woman who was breaking inside because she couldn’t help her mate. All because Emeline needed contact with the outside world.

“If you say so.” Lexi took a deep breath, audible through the phone. “Okay then. I will see you tomorrow for dinner. I can’t wait to taste what you make for dessert, and I’ll be sure Parker and North know you’re coming as well. Thank you, Emeline. Thank you for everything.”

She let the other woman go then stared at the phone, her mind on countless other things again rather than what was in front of her.