Fated

Chapter Thirteen

The day of the bonfire is finally here, and I can hardly contain my excitement as I get ready with Hudson. The anticipation buzzes through me, making my hands shake a little as I apply the final touches to my makeup. I glance over at Hudson, who's buttoning up his shirt, and I can't help but smile. I've been talking his ear off about the bonfire preparations for days, and now that it's finally happening, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Mia and I worked so hard on everything," I tell him, my voice bright with excitement. "The decorations, the food, the lights—it's going to be amazing. I can't wait for you to see it all."

Hudson looks at me with that familiar affection that always makes my heart skip a beat. He steps closer and kisses my forehead, his lips lingering a little longer than usual. "You're so cute when you're excited," he says with a laugh, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

I grin up at him, my excitement momentarily overshadowing the unease that's been gnawing at the back of my mind. But as I look into his eyes, I notice something—a shadow of doubt, or maybe hesitation, that he's trying to hide.

"Hudson?" I ask, my voice softening. "Is everything okay?"

He hesitates for a moment, then sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just... not thrilled about us being in the same space as Lex tonight," he admits, his tone measured but honest.

Guilt washes over me, sharp and cold, twisting in my stomach like a knife. I reach out and take his hand, squeezing it tightly. "Hudson, no matter what happens, we're going together tonight. You and me. Lex doesn't matter—just ignore him, okay?"

I know as soon as the words leave my mouth that it's not that simple. Lex is always there, a looming presence that's impossible to ignore, especially with the bond growing stronger every day. But what else can I say? The situation is too tangled, too complicated, and I'm not even sure how to untangle it myself.

Hudson's expression softens, and he nods. "I used to get so angry, just thinking about you and Lex," he confesses, his voice low. "But I trust you, Gaia. I know you'll make the right decision."

His words cut through me, a mixture of comfort and pain. I want to promise him that everything will be okay, that I'll make the decision that will make us both happy. But the truth is, I don't know what the right decision is anymore. I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat as he gently caresses my face.

"Thank you," I whisper, leaning into his touch.

We finish getting ready in a comfortable silence, and then we head out together. The drive to the bonfire site is quiet, the weight of the conversation lingering between us. But as we pull up to the clearing and step out of the car, the sight before us takes my breath away.

The sun has already set, and the clearing is bathed in the warm, golden glow of string lights hanging between the trees. The large bonfire is already crackling in the center, flames dancing high into the night sky, casting flickering shadows on the ground. Long tables are set up around the perimeter, laden with food and drinks, and people from the pack and the community are mingling, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

The atmosphere is vibrant, alive with energy. There's music playing—some folk tune that adds to the festive mood—and children are running around, their faces illuminated with joy as they chase each other through the crowd. The smell of roasting meat and sweet pastries wafts through the air, making my stomach rumble in anticipation.

I spot Mia across the clearing, adjusting some lanterns that hang above one of the tables, and I wave at her. She grins and waves back, and I feel a surge of pride seeing everything we worked on come together so beautifully.