Page 28 of Hidden Fate

Beaming, Edna nodded. “Yes. You have agrandson.”

Glancing at Volos, Katla touched her chest. “How did they prevent a different story from happening?”

Mindy appeared at the threshold between the kitchen and the hallway. “Thorn changed Emily. She’s a dragon now, and because of that, her body could handle the birth.”

“As things were, Emily was struggling with the labor. Everly came in, knowing what needed to be done.” Edna smiled and rubbed a hand down her face. “I’ve helped deliver a baby before, but I’ve never handled a birth with such complications. Things would have ended differently if they hadn’t answered my desperate call…even after I told them they couldn’t stay in the safe house.”

Surprise filtered through our connection.

“Wait.” Volos’s face scrunched. “Is that the real reason you ran us out of here earlier? Emily was near death, and you asked these people to come and didn’t tell us anything until it was over?”

“No.” Edna cut a hand in the air. “When I asked you to leave, it was before Emily took a turn for the worse. Emily said she needed silence so she could concentrate. She was in so much pain, and her labor wasn’t progressing. It wasn’t until her body started to shut down that I called Theron and begged for Thorn to come.”

Katla’s bottom lip quivered. “We heard Mikah yelling last night, and we tried calling so many times. No one answered, but thankfully, Mikah texted us, saying the labor was progressing and Emily was doing better. We waited as long as we could stand before coming here. We were so scared that something horrible happened and that’s why we weren’t hearing from anyone.”

“That’s my fault.” I could tell the past several hours had been hard on them. “I wanted to monitor Emily’s heartbeat. Even though she was changed into a dragon shifter, her pulse wasn’t strong. I didn’t want her to be more stimulated until I was comfortable she was out of danger.”

Volos’s breath caught. “Is she still in danger?”

In a way, this was my dream—to be the person who told family members that their loved one was all right and going to survive. It had been the message I’d prayed to hear about my mom so many times, and though it had never come, the doctors had been amazing until the end. But this was the kind of news every doctor hoped to give. “She’s fine and going to make a full recovery.”

The couple hugged each other as Katla whimpered, “Oh, thank gods.”

Something warm coursed through our bond, and I glanced at Thorn to find a proud grin on his face. He connected,You really are meant to be a doctor. You’re glowing.Then something dampened the warmth.And because of me, you might never get to become one.

I despised how he always put the burden on his shoulders and never anyone else’s.No, it’s because of Drake, remember? And being with you, well…life has changed, and new priorities have emerged.I opened myself up more to our connection, wanting him to feel the magnitude of my truth.

“Noneof this was Everly’s fault. I took the coward’s way out, not wanting to call and tell you not to come.” Edna frowned. “If that had been Mindy, there’s no way in hell I wouldn’t have headed over. I just thought it might be easier to inform you after Everly gave me the okay. That was the wrong call. I should’ve realized you would’ve heard Mikah last night and needed a good update. I was so preoccupied that the thought didn’t occur to me, and I’m sorry for that.”

The door to the bedroom creaked open, and Mikah stuck his head into the hallway. My heart pounded until I noticed his smile and the baby swaddled in blankets in his arms. He tiptoed out and quietly shut the door behind him.

All the hurt and anger vanished from Katla’s and Volos’s eyes, which twinkled with excitement. Even Thorn’s emotions became light and happy as all of us focused on the new life.

Katla took a tentative step forward. “Is thathim?”

My cheeks hurt, and I realized I was smiling. I’d never been part of something like this before, and my heart felt full to bursting. Moments like these were why I’d wanted to become a doctor—knowing that in some small way, I’d made a positive impact in someone’s life. And the icing on the cake was that Thorn was here, seeing what his magic had done.Yes, I may have helped with the labor, but if it wasn’t for your magic—what only you can do—Emily and the baby would’ve died. If that’s not proof that your magic isn’t a curse, I don’t know what is.None of us had surgical experience, and many people didn’t realize there was an art to a C-section. You had to cut precisely in order for the child to survive.

“It is.” Mikah hurried next to me to stand before his parents and pulled the blanket down from the sweet baby’s face. “I’d like for you two to meet your grandson, Thorn.”

My heart ached with such happiness. My attention drifted to my mate, whose mouth had dropped open. He moved toward the hallway, his arms wrapped around his body as a mixture of emotions swirled through him.You’re right. My magic can be used for good. It can be used to help people instead of hurting them.

A sob built in my chest, but not from sadness. I was so damn glad he was finally seeing himself in a different light.

Vlad and Theron were right behind him, and Saphira remained in place. The corners of her mouth tipped upward as she rocked back on her heels. “Seriously, you’re going to give the guy a big head, and it doesn’t need to get any bigger.”

I gave her a look of warning as I watched my mate experience something unique.

“You don’t have to name him that.” Thorn’s voice was deep and emotional.

“I know we don’t.” Mikah stared at his son in his arms. “But we want to. My wife and child wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you and Everly. It was a no-brainer which name to choose when we realized he was a boy. Emily and I agreed it would be one of your names for doing what you did for us, especially when you didn't have to.”

“Hey!” Saphira winked. “I held one of her legs, so you should’ve considered naming the baby Saphira, even for a moment.”

Everyone chuckled, and for an instant, Thorn and I felt content…as if we truly belonged.

Then Theron cleared his throat. “I hate to ruin this, but our group should get going. The sun is rising, and we need to get back to the others so we can head out.”

That reminder had my stomach hardening. Even when we felt like we belonged, we didn’t. Not only that, but the warriors could show up at any time without any notice.

---