He looks Fate in her prismatic eyes.“Let her live.”
“What?”Fate blinks, astonished, which is a feat.“Do you know what you’re asking? The stone has been set. Any shifts will create a ripple I can’t see yet.”Her hand fumbles over the skirts of her dress, floating out from her like watercolor come to life.“Her death is an inevitability.”
“I’ll take whatever you can give her. Hold me responsible, but let her live.”The harbinger can barely fathom the words that escape him, but he doesn’t regret a single one.“I’m begging you.”
“You’d give up your mate to buy her more time…as a mortal?”
“Yes.”His eyes sting, chest aches. There’s no hesitation. Harbingers are those who were unable to live full lives. He may not have met her yet, but he knows her. Sees every wondrous moment she’s had and every wish she hopes comes true. Taking her now would be thieving her of the dreams she has yet to accomplish. Ones she’s desperate for.
“You’re sure?”Fate hesitates, eyes darting, as if thinking over something she doesn’t voice aloud. When her attention returns to him, her tone is firm.“Giving back her life and seeing her goals come to fruition… You may never be reunited with your mate.”
“I’m sure.”Despite the stab of pain twisting through his gut, he nods for emphasis. He’ll watch her each winter. He’ll make sure she sees those dreams ignite. Even if he’ll never be a part of them.
“Take her to the surface,”Fate instructs.“I’ll do the rest.”
He’s already shifting before she finishes. White and gray fur expands from his flesh. His nose elongates into his snout. Clawsextend from his fingers and toes, his body contorting until he’s in his earthside form.
The wolf wraps its maw around the neck of the mortal’s shirt, pulling her through the partially shattered window. Crimson spreads through the water, trailing behind them. When the beast brings her body to the surface of the lake, he drags her across the ice until he rests her at its edge.
Where she’ll be safe, as he’s been promised.
Fate is there, waiting.
Her vibrant dress pools around her feet, swirls of vivid color creating a striking contrast next to his dead mate’s pallid complexion. She flicks her wrist, unfurling her fingers to reveal a cerulean rock as thick as a puck. The wolf moves closer to inspect it.
“Last chance.”Her hand lifts and lowers, as if testing the weight of the thing she’s holding.
The wolf’s attention is pinned to the stone in her palm. It’s beautiful. Strong. It reminds him of the bond he longs to claim. The woman he could have loved.
Would have loved.
“Do it.”
Fate places her hands on the shoulders of his mate, leaning down to press a kiss to her temple before her gaze shifts to the wolf. The rock in her hand crumbles, disintegrating and floating off on the breeze. Disappearing as if it never existed.
The wolf lies down alongside his mate, nestles his snout in the valley between her breasts, closes his eyes, and waits.
Fate bows. Her work is done.
A single kiss and destinies are rewritten.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The faint flutter of her rekindled pulse rouses the wolf. He observes his mate. Her skin is less pale, lips no longer blue, chest no longer stilled. Her body warms against his, Fate’s magic thrumming through her. Each passing second, her heartbeat regains its strength. It thuds beautifully, echoing between them.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
When the wolf tilts his head up, Fate is gone.
Smeared streaks of dark red against the snow steal his focus. Though his mate’s life has been spared, he needs to make sure she’s safe. The last thing he wants to do is leave her, but he must find help. He must ensure the dreams he let crumble away like ash on the wind were worth his sacrifice.
In a flash, his claws retract, fur vanishing, body camouflaging into the wintry backdrop. He races through the park, hunting down the first mortal he can find. When his blistering wind doesn’t urge the man in the direction he wishes, he reclaims his earthside form, growling and prowling with teeth bared until the mortal runs away toward the lake. Once he’s out of sight, the harbinger follows, watching from the trees until blaring sirens wail in the distance moments before an ambulance arrives.
