Our Surprise Mate

**~Hazel~**

I instantly feel the change in my environment before I open my eyes and see we're back inside the cabin. I take in a deep breath, thankful we made it back. Sure, the plan failed, but we're safe, and we can come up with a more effective plan. I turn around to approach Eden, only to find her lying on the floor breathing heavily beside her candle, which is barely lit. I rush to her side, careful not to touch her candle.

"She's not going to last much longer, Hazel. Since she didn't die directly, it will take about ten minutes for it to be finalized. Just like your body going back to normal will take time as well. Make good use of the time you have left with her." Rebeka's tone is cold and sharp, but she gives me space. The shock I feel is so overwhelming that my body goes into autopilot. I can't cry. I can't yell. I can't break down and beg The Fates to do something- anything- to keep her here with me. I want to ask Eden a million questions. Why would she do this? Why wouldn't she come back with me like I thought she would? Was this her plan the entire time?

But I won't. This is really happening, and I refuse to waste the time I have left with Eden. My heart can break when she leaves me. For now, I need to embrace the last moment we have together.

I take her hands into mine, "Show me the visions of us, Eden. All the memories you have of us that I missed out on. Those visions that were supposed to be ours."

"Those visions were mine, Haze, and there are too many. If they were supposed to happen, they would have. Don't ask me to torture you." Eden's voice is soft, preserving her energy as much as she can.

"Please. If not all, then just one. Your favorite one." I need more than just my memories of us. I need a piece of her that I never got to have.

"They're all my favorite, but I know which one you would love the most. Close your eyes," Eden whispers. With a racing heart, I close my eyes and gently squeeze her hands.

*The slight wind is crisp and the smell of Autumn is in the air. The leaves are a perfect blend of yellow, orange, green, and brown as they fall delicately from the trees surrounding a two-story white house with a bright red front door and shutters. There's a tire swing hanging from the tree as it stands tall and strong to the right side of the yard and a tiny pool to the left that is way past due to be put away for the chilly season. I go to knock on the red door, but it swings open.* *"Oh, hi-" I start to speak, but I quickly realize I cannot be heard when Eden runs right through me, followed by the most precious little girl. Her chocolate brown hair, just like mine, reaches her hips, and she has tiny freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. She has to be about five years old, wearing a long powder pink dress and a crooked matching bow, keeping her hair from falling into her face.*

*"You hide right here behind the tree. When you hear my whistle, attack." Eden whispers to the little girl and hands her a water balloon.*

*They're both holding back a fit of giggles when Eden goes to hide behind another tree nearby. I'm startled by the sound of a pop and a high-pitch screech. I thought someone was in trouble, so I rushed back towards the house- as if there was anything I could do- when an angry, and pregnant, Hazel stomps off the porch, covered in blue powder. Clearly, she was at the ass end of a well-planned prank delivered by Eden and this little girl.*

*"Eden and Ivy! Don't make me come find you!" She is very tired of being pranked by the looks of it, but I don't miss the excitement in her eyes.*

*Hazel gets closer to the trees where the little girl, Ivy apparently, is hiding. Suddenly, a loud whistle comes from Eden. Ivy sneaks out and throws the balloon at Hazel, hitting her on the back when she turned toward the noise Eden made. That's when I realize it wasn't a water balloon- it was blue paint. Hazel turns to face the sassy little girl, and Eden quickly appears with, hopefully, the final blow. Another paint balloon bursts across Hazel's butt, making her yelp and shoot a deadly look at Eden.*

*"Are you two finished?! I swear you both will be cleaning the entire kitchen." I can't even imagine what the mess looks like inside. Eden cracks up like I've never seen before. This version of Eden is carefree, happy, and... mine. Despite being covered in blue paint and powder, Eden pulls Hazel into her arms and kisses her with ferocity. Hazel tried to act angry at first, but she quickly melted into Eden's embrace, kissing her back with the same hunger. Ivy giggles and tugs on Eden's shirt.*

*You're forgetting the most important part, Mommy." Eden breaks away from the kiss and picks up Ivy. Hazel looks questioningly at Eden, waiting for another prank when Eden pulls out a piece of paper from her jeans pocket and hands it to Hazel. After skimming the page, Hazel clutches the paper to her chest, tears well up in her eyes.*

*"It's a boy," Hazel whispers. "We're going to have a boy, Eden! Ivy, you're going to have a baby brother!" That's when I realize something major, and I don't know how I didn't notice it before. This Hazel is still human. Not a lycan, werewolf, or vampire.*

*"Our sperm donor is lucky. I told him if we didn't get a boy this time, I was going to egg his castle. He wasn't amused by the threat, but his wife found it hilarious. I can't wait for you to meet them. Octavius invited us to dinner with his family next weekend to celebrate." Octavius? He's their sperm donor? I'm curious how that arrangement came about. Why would Tae donate his sperm to them? The borders must be open.*

*"I'm excited to meet them. It's crazy he agreed to help us with this. I guess it's only fair he help us create life since you saved his wife at the Mate Gala. I can't believe someone as powerful as a lycan queen almost choked to death on her dinner. I would have already met them if you didn't sweep me off my feet and take me home before I even got inside the ballroom. I can't be mad, though. That was the most magical night of my life." I guess that answered some questions, even though I have a billion more.*

It's as if someone poured a bucket of ice water over my head when the vision abruptly ends. I put Eden's head on my lap and play with her hair as she breathes labored breaths. Her eyes look heavy. With each second that passes, my heart shatters more and more.

"I love you, Eden." My voice shakes.

"I love you more, Haze. Tell Ivy I love her too."

There are no words to describe the physical pain of losing Eden. In a different life, I belonged to her. In some other dimension, we had a happy family with a beautiful little girl and a son on the way. Now I understand why Eden fought so hard to get me. She was fighting for the family that was supposed to be hers. For the little girl who called her 'Mommy' and looking forward to having a son. This vision is only a small glimpse of what Eden saw with me. I involuntarily haunted her life for so many years through false hopes and dreams. She pledged her loyalty to a ghost many years ago and got death in return. This world doesn't care if you're a good person. It doesn't care if you deserve better or if you have plans for the future. The Fates are cruel and heartless spirits who enjoy playing with peoples' emotions. The last time I prayed to The Fates is the last time They will ever hear from me. For Eden, I will see The Fates for what they are.