Page 87 of A Trial of Fate

“Umm, I highly doubt that one. But sure, okay, let’s go withsomeday.” I gave up trying to figure this one out. I had officially run out of logic to make sense of all the crazy things that were going on in my life. “Remember when things were simple? And you were just trying to get me to attend combat training with the others?”

“Never overlook the quiet moments.” Magnus laughed.

“Dinner is ready if you three are!” Julia’s voice echoed through the garden from the kitchen.

All three of us ventured back into the house and sat down together as a family to feast on Julia’s rendition of beans and meat with special biscuits that melted in your mouth. I didn’t know how many more of these moments I would have with my family, and I wasn’t about to waste what little time I had left.

“So, when do you leave?” Neera asked.

“Tomorrow is my last full day here,” I answered before biting into a delicious biscuit with a hint of honey and rosemary. “We set sail the following morning.”

“Well, what do you want to do?”

How did I want to spend my final day here?There was no guarantee I would ever return. I believed I would, but still, there was a great chance I wouldn’t. I looked around at my family’s home and knew I wanted to be there.

“I want to cook one final goodbye meal to share with everyone I care about.” Julia sighed with sentimental joy, until I added, “And then… get piss drunk, forget for a moment that I am leaving on a ridiculously dangerous endeavor, and have an evening full of fun and laughter with no regrets.”

Magnus nearly spit out his water as he tried to hold in his laughter. “I was worried for a moment after your first comment.”

I winked at him. “Had to give you one last wildcard.”

“Who would you like to invite?” Julia asked. “Just to get a head count to help prepare.”

“Anyone is welcome to come,” I answered. “Tell the whole pack to come for drinks, but for the dinner, I would like only you three, Rhea, Talon, and Shaw.”

“I’ll start to make preparations then.” Julia smiled and patted my hand. “What are you going to make for us?”

“My famous pasta dish.” I grinned. “What else?”

“The one with the layers of meat and cheese and sauce!” Icould hear the excitement in Neera’s voice. She loved my pasta meal… They all did. It was my favorite to make because they all enjoyed it so much.

“I might be able to stumble upon the wine cellar at the alpha’s house and roll out a barrel or two,” Magnus added with a sly, smug grin.

“Get Rhea to help you. I bet she will grab one full of whiskey.”

Magnus took the final bite of his buttered biscuit, saying, “I have no doubt, especially after she snuck her flasks up to your room the other night.”

“Flasks?” I grinned. “So, you knew she had not only one but two?”

“I knew,” Magnus answered as he stuffed a spoonful of his soup into his mouth.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Skylar!” a voice yelled my name from the other side of the main door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Skylar! I need you!”

I sprang up from the table and sprinted toward the front of the house. As I turned the handle to the front door, I could detect the scent of who was on the other side. Opening the door, I readied myself for whatever was to come next.

“Castor? What are you doing—”

“I’m holding up my end of our promise!” His eyes were heavy, and his breathing was ragged. “I need you to come with me.”

“Now?” I asked.

“No… tomorrow morning after a long, restful night of sleep and maybe a breakfast buffet,” he said sarcastically with a long sigh and a melodramatic eye roll. “Yes, now!”

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