Chapter 256 ECHOES OF LOSS
Nixx
“Mirabelle? I’m here!” I called out.
The bathroom door down the hall swung open, and out stepped Mirabelle, rocking her typical glam look. She wore dark-wash jeggings, a bright red top, pointy-heeled ankle boots, and a snug black leather jacket. She looked effortlessly cool for a pregnant woman.
Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her lips were as vibrant as her shoes.
I found myself unable to look away.
As an oracle, she radiated a unique power that occasionally slipped through her carefully maintained facade. Even the dominant wolves found her irresistible, while the lesser wolves were too intimidated by her abilities to make a move.
“Hey, quit staring. Do I really look that bad?” She scrunched her nose, glancing at her outfit. “Is it over the top?”
I raised my eyebrows, fully aware of how hormonal women could be. “No way! You look amazing. Super sexy, for sure. Totally. Mm-hmm. Yep.” I nodded, trying to express my admiration.
She shot me a knowing look with her striking green eyes before shrugging it off. “I guess I could start dressing a bit more like a mom. But I’m not sure what the moon has planned just yet. So... you ready?” Her smile widened, revealing her bright white teeth.
I couldn’t help but stare at her stomach. Although she wasn’t showing much, I could see the faintest hint of a baby bump peeking out from her outfit. “Yeah, totally.” Before I realized it, my hand was gently resting on her stomach, pressing softly against the firmness beginning to show. She smiled and rubbed my hand that rested on hers.
“Come on. Let’s go grab a pic of the little dude.” She kissed my cheek, wiping off the smudge of red lipstick before taking my hand.
Mirabelle strolled ahead, pulling me along as we stepped out into the refreshing autumn breeze. I wasn’t a fan of those towering heels she wore; I worried she might trip and take a tumble, endangering the baby.
“So... how’s Tatiana been?” She bit her lip, glancing over at me as we walked toward Doc’s.
I took a deep breath, unsure if I was ready for this conversation. “She doesn’t really talk to me. I go to her cabin, and she lets me sniff and touch her skin through the window for my wolf’s sake, but she hardly says anything. Lately, she seems even worse, and it sucks that there’s nothing I can do about it. I felt her emotions on the way here... it hit me hard. She’s in a lot of pain... heartache. I can feel it.” I whispered, my voice heavy with concern.
We strolled along in silence for a moment until she finally spoke up, “It’s not good for her to be cooped up like that, Nixx. It’s going to make her wolf go wild. I... I had a vision.”
Whoa. I froze and turned to look at her. “What type of vision are we talking about?”
Sighing, she continued, “The kind that almost ended up like Percival. You really need to keep her safe, Nixx.”
What she said about her vision sent a chill down my spine. It filled me with a strange mix of guilt and sadness. I just needed to be with Tatiana. I craved the comfort of her presence; all I wanted was to hug her and let that warmth fix everything. I finally understood why Percival acted the way he did when Edeline wasn’t around.
As we turned the corner and headed toward Doc's place, Mirabelle continued, “William and Jack made sure there was nothing in her cabin that she could hurt herself with. If that’s what you’re getting at.”
Her eyes looked tired as they took me in. She wasn’t entirely sure either, just like I wasn’t. What if we missed something?
“After you!” I smiled a bit, trying to lighten the mood as she walked into the clinic.
Today, I was finally going to see my son. I had no idea what he might look like since it was still early in the pregnancy, but I was totally ready for this moment. The dad vibes were kicking in, and they were taking over my thoughts. I kept considering what Mirabelle should and shouldn’t do, constantly worrying about her and the baby. It felt surreal to touch her stomach and connect with my unborn son, a bond that was already forming.
If this was how Percival felt, I could only guess what was coming next...
…
Tatiana
The clinic was so stark and sterile, everything bathed in white light that felt painfully bright. It was all too familiar. Just a few months ago, I was here, bringing my son into the world—a moment that still haunted me because he didn’t make it. Now, here I was again, forced to come in for a checkup because I was feeling under the weather. My wolf was sluggish, and it felt like we were both fading away, drifting into some dark abyss.
I glanced at my reflection in the window, taking in the unkempt hair and the loose clothes hanging off my frame. It had been days since I last showered, and I was a total mess.
“Shh. Don’t think,” I whispered to myself, trying to drown out the whirlpool of thoughts in my head as I swayed on the hospital bed, waiting for Doc to bring me whatever meds he thought I should have.
The heaviness in my chest was suffocating. I felt like I was losing my grip on reality, my wolf’s presence growing weaker. She hadn’t shifted in ages, and after the first week in the cabin, I’d realized she was getting restless and confused, missing the feel of the wild around her. I did my best to keep the walls up between us, but there were times when my defenses crumbled, and she slipped through, dragging me down with her.
Just thinking about Nixx... It felt unbearable. He was likely with Mirabelle, finding solace in their connection, and my heart twisted in knots as I considered how I was trying to keep my distance from him. I didn’t want to get attached; I had to remain guarded. But it was harder than I expected, and the emptiness gnawed at me.