Kamrynn’s POV
A week had passed since my conversation with Calvin.
A week since I told him I needed time.
I had checked on him daily, making sure he was taking his medication, eating properly, and recovering as he should. His wounds were healing, the bruises fading, but the silence between us remained thick and awkward. I never stayed long enough for us to have a real conversation.
Whenever I visited, he would look at me with those piercing green eyes, as if willing me to say something-anything. But I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready.
Instead, I threw myself into taking care of the twins and helping around the Pack House, trying to cultivate trust with everyone. It wasn’t easy. Some wolves still avoided me, their eyes lingering with suspicion or fear. But others-the ones who had lost children and had found comfort in my blessing-were beginning to warm up to me.
Today, I was sitting in the courtyard with Astor in my arms. Arabella had a fever last night and had been crying on and off until dawn. I had stayed up with her, rocking her gently and whispering soft lullabies until her fever finally broke and she fell into an exhausted sleep.
Now, with Arabella resting peacefully inside, I didn’t want to risk waking her, so I brought Astor outside.
The cool morning air brushed against my skin, and the sun cast a soft, golden glow over the courtyard. Birds chirped in the distance, and the scent of wildflowers lingered in the breeze.
Astor giggled on my lap, his tiny fingers grasping at my shirt as I bounced him gently. His big emerald eyes-so much like Calvin’s-sparkled with innocent joy, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Are you having fun, little one?” I cooed, tapping his nose playfully. He squealed in delight, his laughter warming my heart.
I was so focused on Astor that I didn’t notice Lysaa approaching until she was just a few feet away.
“Kamrynn?” she called softly, tilting her head slightly, her unseeing eyes searching for me.
“I’m here,” I said, raising my hand before realizing she couldn’t see it. “Over here, Lysaa.”
She followed the sound of my voice, her steps careful but confident, and sat down beside me on the bench.
“How have you been?” she asked, folding her hands neatly in her lap.
“I’ve been okay,” I replied, shifting Astor to a more comfortable position on my lap. “Tired, mostly. Arabella had a fever last night, so it’s been a long few hours.”
Lysaa’s brows furrowed in concern. “Is she alright now?”
“She’s fine,” I assured her. “Sleeping, finally.”
Lysaa nodded, her face relaxing. She reached out, and I instinctively placed my hand in hers, guiding her palm to gently touch Astor’s head. He cooed at the unfamiliar touch, and Lysaa smiled.
“And what about you, Kamrynn?” she asked softly. “How are you doing?”
I hesitated, unsure how to answer. “I’m… managing,” I said eventually. “It’s been a lot to process.”
Lysaa tilted her head, as though considering something. “And how are things between you and Calvin?”
I sighed, leaning back against the bench. “Complicated.”
Lysaa chuckled softly. “I think that’s an understatement.”
I glanced at her, a teasing glint in my eye. “Enough about me. How are things with you and Lorien?”
At the mention of his name, Lysaa’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink.
“He’s… a bit much sometimes,” she admitted, her lips twitching into a small smile. “But he’s sweet. He’s so patient with me, and he never makes me feel like I’m lacking.” She paused, her expression turning thoughtful. “It’s strange, adjusting to the mate bond. But I know, with all my heart, that he’ll make me happy for as long as I live.”
Hearing the quiet certainty in her voice made my own heart ache in a way I wasn’t ready to examine.
“I’m glad,” I said sincerely. “You deserve nothing less.”
“Thank you.” Lysaa squeezed my hand gently before letting go.
We sat in companionable silence for a few moments, the quiet broken only by Astor’s soft babbling.
Then, I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. “Lysaa… do you think I should give Calvin a second chance?”
Lysaa’s brows lifted in surprise. “Do you want to?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “That’s the problem. I know he’s changed, and I know he’s trying, but… I’m scared.”
Lysaa turned toward me, her expression gentle but serious. “I’ll be honest, Kamrynn. I don’t have the best opinion of Calvin. He was cruel to you. He was cruel to me. But… he’s acknowledged his mistakes, and he’s been working to make amends. That shows growth. It shows maturity.”
I bit my lip, considering her words.
“How can you be so neutral about him after everything he did to you?” I asked quietly.
Lysaa sighed, her unseeing eyes clouded with old pain. “I held a grudge for a long time,” she confessed. “It made me miserable. Angry. But when Calvin apologized and brought my family back… I realized that holding onto all that hate wasn’t hurting him. It was hurting me. So I decided to let it go.”
“Just like that?”
“It wasn’t easy,” she admitted. “But it was freeing. Karma always comes around, Kamrynn. I didn’t need to carry that weight anymore.”
Her words settled heavily in my chest.
“What should I do?” I asked softly, feeling more lost than ever.
Lysaa smiled. “I want the best for you, Kamrynn. And only you know what that is. Look deep into your heart, and follow what it wants. Fight for your happiness. You only get one chance.”
I sighed heavily.
Lysaa reached over and placed her hand on mine, her touch gentle but firm.
“Kamrynn,” she said softly, “you’ve been through so much, but you’ve also come so far. You’re stronger now, and you deserve to be happy. You deserve to have the life you want, with the people you love. So, fight for it. Fight for your happiness, and don’t let fear stop you. Don’t let regret be the story you write for yourself.”
Her words struck something deep inside me.
I nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in my throat. “You’re right,” I whispered.
Lysaa smiled. “Of course I am.” She gave my hand one last squeeze before leaning back against the bench. “Now, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and ask your heart what it really wants.”
I hesitated for a moment but then obeyed, closing my eyes and letting the world fade away.
And then, the memories came.
I saw Calvin’s smile-the one he used to wear when we were younger, before everything went wrong. I saw the way he used to look at me, as though I was the most precious thing in his world. I remembered the times he made me laugh, the way he always knew how to cheer me up when I was feeling down.
I also remembered the darker times. The pain. The anger. The betrayal. But those memories felt… distant now, as though they belonged to a different lifetime.
Because I knew the truth now. I knew that the real Calvin-the one who had loved me with everything he had-had been trapped under Sherelle’s spell.
The real Calvin was still there.
And as twisted as it sounded, I still loved him.
The realization hit me with the force of a tidal wave, stealing the breath from my lungs. Despite everything, my heart still belonged to him.
I opened my eyes, blinking back tears as I looked down at Astor, who was nestled comfortably in my arms. He stared up at me with wide, curious eyes, his little fingers wrapping around a lock of my hair.
I smiled softly, brushing a gentle hand over his tiny head.
“What do you think, little one?” I whispered. “Should I give your daddy a second chance?”
Astor cooed in response, a sweet, happy sound that made my heart swell. It was almost as if he was encouraging me.
Lysaa chuckled softly beside me. “I think that’s your answer,” she said, her voice warm and teasing.
I laughed quietly, wiping away a stray tear.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of peace. I had my answer. It wasn’t going to be easy, and it wouldn’t erase the past, but it was a start.
I was ready to give Calvin a second chance.