Crowned by Fate Chapter 118

Skye's POV

My hands trembled as I dialed the number I'd memorized years ago but never used. Four years. Four years since I'd heard my mother's voice. The phone rang once, twice, three times. With each ring, my anxiety grew. Maybe they'd changed their number. Maybe they didn't want to talk to me after all this time.

"Hello?" My mother's voice, tentative and questioning, poured through the speaker.

"Mom?" My voice cracked on that single syllable. "It's me. It's Skye."

There was a brief silence, then a gasping sob. "Skye? Oh my goddess, Skye! Is it really you, sweetheart?"

Tears stung my eyes at the raw emotion in her voice. "Yes, Mom. It's really me."

"Oh, my baby girl." Her voice trembled with joy and disbelief. "I can't believe it. Hold on, let me sit down before I fall over."

I smiled through my tears, picturing her in our family kitchen, probably clutching her chest the way she always did when overwhelmed. Adrian, sitting beside me on the hotel bed, gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Ethan told me he saw you," she continued, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I've been hoping you'd call. How are you? Are you eating enough? Where have you been all this time?"

"I'm fine, Mom," I assured her, wiping away tears. "How are you? Ethan mentioned you had surgery last year. Are you fully recovered?"

"Oh, that?" She dismissed it with a characteristic lightness I remembered so well. "Just a little procedure, nothing to worry about. I've been back to gardening for months now."

"You should have told me," I said softly.

"How could we, sweetheart? We had no way to reach you." The pain in her voice made my chest ache. "But that doesn't matter now. You're calling, and that's what counts." Her tone brightened. "Mom," I asked hesitantly, "did you receive the birthday gift I sent you? The moonstone pendant with the wolf carving?"

"Oh, sweetheart, yes!" Her voice brightened immediately. "It's beautiful! I wear it every day. Your father says the blue stone reminds him of the lakes back home where you used to play as a pup."

My heart warmed at her words. Despite our years apart, she had accepted my small gesture of reconnection with such joy.

"I'm glad you liked it," I said softly. "I wasn't sure if you'd want anything from me after... everything."

"Skye," my mother's voice became serious, "there has never been a moment when we didn't want to hear from you. Not a single day passed when we didn't hope for a call, a letter—anything."

"It's alright, sweetheart." Her forgiveness came instantly, without reservation. "Tell me about your life now. Are you happy? That's all I care about."

I smiled, looking up at Adrian. "I am, Mom. I'm really good, actually. I shifted finally—I have my wolf now. She's silver, just like my hair."

"That's wonderful, honey!"

"And I'm the Beta of my pack now," I continued, unable to keep the pride from my voice. "Oasisborn Pack. We're in Texas, in the desert."

After years of feeling like a disappointment, I thought she would finally be proud of me. I'd achieved everything a werewolf parent could want for their child—I had my wolf, I held a position of respect and power. I was no longer the embarrassing latent wolf who couldn't shift.

But my mother's response surprised me.

"Oh, Skye," she said softly. "You know I never cared about any of that, don't you? Whether you had a wolf or not, whether you were powerful or not—it never mattered to me. All your father and I ever wanted was for you to be safe and happy. That's all."

Her words hit me like a physical blow. All these years, I'd believed my failure to shift had been a source of shame for my parents. I'd carried that burden, that belief that I wasn't good enough, wasn't worthy of their love without my wolf. But here was my mother, telling me it had never mattered to her at all.

I glanced at Adrian, who was watching me with gentle eyes. "I am safe, Mom," I said, my voice steadier now. "And I'm happy. Really happy."

"Ethan tells me you're following your Alpha to the Alpha King election," she continued, concern edging into her voice. "Those trials are so dangerous, Skye. Two Alphas died just yesterday! Is there any way you could withdraw now? Come home instead?"

"No, Mom," I said gently but firmly. "I'm not withdrawing. Adrian is going to win, and I'm going to help him do it."

"Winning isn't important, Skye," she pleaded. "Coming back alive is what matters. After you left, during that first year, I visited so many packs trying to find you. Do you know last New Year's, during our pack celebration, I saw a girl with silver hair across the bonfire? My heart nearly stopped—I thought it was you coming home. I ran all the way across the grounds, only to discover it was someone else entirely."

Her voice broke, and I could hear her struggling not to cry.

"I keep looking for you in every crowd, Skye. Every silver-haired girl makes my heart leap before it breaks all over again."

The pain in her voice made tears stream down my face again. Adrian's arm tightened around me, offering silent support.

"Don't cry, Mom," I managed, trying to sound stronger than I felt. "I promise I'll come home for New Year's this year. You'll see me across that bonfire for real."

"You promise?"

"I promise," I assured her. "How's Dad doing?"

"Your father is very busy now. Alpha Leon took Ethan to the competition, so your father is helping manage the pack in their absence." She sighed. "He works too hard, but I'll tell him you called as soon as he gets home. He'll be so happy, Skye."

I heard a female voice calling in the background, and my mother's muffled response.

"Who's that?" I asked. "Is that Ethan's mate? Lily, right?"

"Yes, that's her," Mom confirmed, sounding pleased that I remembered. "We're going shopping for baby things today. She's due in five months."

"I'll be an aunt?" Joy bubbled up inside me at this unexpected news.

"Yes, sweetheart. And I'll be a grandmother." The happiness in her voice was unmistakable. "I wish you could be here for the birth."

"Maybe I can," I said, surprising myself with how much I wanted that.

"I should go," Mom said reluctantly. "Lily is waiting. But promise me you'll call again soon? And please, please be careful at that competition. I couldn't bear to lose you again."

"I promise, Mom. I'll be fine, and I'll call again soon."

"I love you, Skye. Never forget that."

"I love you too, Mom."

I ended the call and stared at the phone in my hands, feeling lighter than I had in years. After so long, I'd finally reconnected with my parents. The weight of exile that I'd carried for four years seemed to lift from my shoulders.

I settled back against Adrian's chest, drawing comfort from his warmth. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head.

"Your mother really loves you," he observed, his voice soft. "I could hear it in every word."

"She does," I agreed, still marveling at this revelation. "Your mother must love you too, you know."

Adrian's expression turned slightly bitter. "Perhaps," he said, but his tone lacked conviction.