Page 64 of Understanding Fate

Not fucking once.

And I’m terrified I’m going to fuck it up. Part of me wishes I could reach out to Dante and ask him how I’ll know when I’vegiven enough of the venom. Is there a chance it will be too much? Could it kill her?

I wouldn’t survive if I lost her.

I couldn’t if I was the reason.

Not everyone completed the ceremony, though it was exceptionally rare. Sometimes, the DNA wouldn’t take the change from the venom, and instead, it killed off the cells in the body. It hadn’t happened in our pack in my lifetime, but I’d heard of packs losing their kids.

I can’t even imagine.

Fates, watch over us.

The prayer is one of many I’ve sent up over the last few weeks. Leaning into my faith in them is the only thing that keeps me from losing it most days.

They brought her to me.

They wouldn’t take her away… would they?

They couldn’t. It would be too cruel.

Releasing the air trapped in my lungs, I pick up the paper I’ve just finished and raise my eyes to the girl who has become my entire world.

She’s picking at her nails absently while I watch her mentally have a conversation completely in her head. Her expression gives away absolutely everything, and watching her eyebrows dance animatedly, I can tell she's still arguing with Ghost.

Their banter is comical and reminds me of Dante and Pres. It’s a similar dynamic. I can’t even feel jealous because I see the lack of sexual tension behind their snarky comments. Her eyes light differently when he pisses her off than when she looks at me.

It's probably the only reason I’ve never tried to kill him.

That and I’m not sure I could.

He’s a tough son of a bitch, and we’ve always been on the same side, so I’ve never had a reason to challenge his wolf with mine.

Hopefully, we keep it that way.

Reaching for the phone, I see we are all set for the call.

“Firefly,” I start. “It’s time.”

The way she jumps slightly at the sound of my voice tells me she forgot I was sitting over here, and when her eyes hit mine, the tension is back in her shoulders.

Pulling my chest up, I push every ounce of confidence that I can into my eyes.

She needs me to be strong for both of us. So that’s exactly what I will be.

We’ve got this Firefly.

She stands a quick nod of her head before her jaw lifts, and I see her swallow, closing her eyes briefly before exhaling and opening them again with a newfound strength.

Fates, she’s beautiful.

Clearing my throat, I type the number for Ghost and wait the two rings it takes for him to answer.

“Mingan,” he says, answering the phone in a location that is very clearly not the beach.

“Ghost,” I reply before turning the camera to Bri, who gives an irritated wave.

“Hello, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.”

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