Chapter 183 Chapter 183
Kamrynn's POV
I sat quietly on the old wooden swing in the garden, letting the gentle breeze kiss my skin as the late afternoon sun bathed everything in a soft, golden light. The swing creaked slightly as I rocked back and forth, my bare feet brushing against the grass. It was peaceful out here, away from the noise and bustle inside the Pack House.
But my mind was anything but peaceful.
I had spent the past week in a constant whirlwind of emotions. Ever since my talk with Lysaa, I’d been trying to sort through my feelings, figure out what I wanted, and work up the courage to talk to Calvin.
A lot had happened in that time. Calvin had recovered remarkably fast—much faster than I expected, though that probably had something to do with him being a silver wolf. His wounds had mostly healed, and he could move around on his own now, though the doctor had warned him to avoid anything too strenuous. His rib was still mending, after all.
He’d been restless, of course. Calvin had never been the type to sit still for long. But he had listened to the doctor’s advice—mostly. He spent most of his time with the twins, holding them, playing with them, doting on them as though they were the most precious things in the world. It was… sweet to watch.
Yesterday had been especially busy.
We’d had a small celebration for the twins’ three-month milestone. Nothing too fancy, just a little gathering in the Pack House courtyard with some close friends and family.
I smiled softly at the memory, the corners of my lips tugging upward despite myself.
The twins had been dressed in matching white outfits—Astor in a tiny button-up shirt and trousers, and Arabella in the cutest little dress I’d ever seen. They looked like little angels, and my heart had felt so full just looking at them.
Marlana had helped me organize everything. She’d baked a beautiful cake with white frosting and delicate sugar flowers, and there had been plenty of food and drinks for everyone.
Lorien and Lysaa had been there, of course. Lysaa had looked radiant in a pale blue dress that complemented her brown hair, and Lorien hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her all afternoon. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that he was completely smitten.
I chuckled softly under my breath. Who would’ve thought the mighty dragon prince could be such a hopeless romantic?
Calvin had been there, too. He’d been careful not to overdo it, sitting for most of the celebration, but he’d been smiling more than I’d seen him smile in a long time. He’d even posed for some photos with the twins and with me.
That part had been… awkward, to say the least.
We’d taken a photo together with Astor and Arabella, standing side by side like the family we were supposed to be. He hadn’t said much, but I’d felt his eyes on me the entire time, and there had been something in his gaze that made my heart flutter in a way I wasn’t ready to deal with.
After that, I’d spent most of the afternoon chatting with the guests, playing with the twins, and trying to avoid any deep conversations with Calvin.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk to him. I just… didn’t know what to say.
How do you have a normal conversation with someone who once broke your heart into a million pieces, only for you to realize that they’d been manipulated and hurt just as badly as you had?
I sighed, my fingers tightening around the chains of the swing.
I didn’t know how to move forward.
I didn’t know if we could move forward.
But one thing was becoming increasingly clear: I couldn’t avoid this conversation forever.
Lost in thought, I didn’t hear the footsteps behind me.
It wasn’t until I felt the gentle push that sent the swing rocking forward that I jolted upright, my heart racing.
I twisted around sharply, my breath catching in my throat only to be met with the familiar sight of Calvin, standing behind me with a sheepish smile on his face.
“Sorry,” he said, raising his hands slightly in apology. “I didn’t mean to scare you. You just looked… lonely. Thought you could use some company.”
I let out a slow breath, willing my heartbeat to steady. “Sneaking up on people isn’t exactly the best way to offer company, you know.”
His lips twitched. “Noted.” He placed his hands back on the chains of the swing and gave me another gentle push.
We fell into silence for a moment as he continued to push me, the swing swaying back and forth with a soothing rhythm. I wasn’t sure what to say, and it didn’t seem like he was in a hurry to speak, either.
Eventually, I broke the silence. “Shouldn’t you be resting?”
He chuckled softly. “I’m fine. Besides, seeing you gives me life, so I’d rather be here with you.”
I blinked, surprised by the earnestness in his voice. I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I didn’t. I just let the swing carry me forward, away from him, and then back toward him again.
Calvin didn’t let the silence linger too long. He tilted his head slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes as he asked, “Remember when we used to sneak out to this very spot when we were kids?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the memory. “Yeah. You always got us into trouble.”
“I prefer to think of it as ‘spicing things up.’”
I laughed softly, shaking my head. “That’s one way to put it.”
He grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You loved it. Don’t deny it.”
“Maybe,” I admitted, my lips curving upward. “But you were reckless. You still are, apparently.” I shot him a pointed look. “You’re supposed to be taking it easy, remember?”
He shrugged. “I’m taking it easy. Pushing a swing doesn’t count as strenuous physical activity.”