Chapter 31: Let It Snow

^TWO MONTHS LATER^

LIV

I breezed into Gia’s room with a fresh delivery of flowers. “Hey, G! I got more flowers for you! You’ll be able to open a florist soon with all of these.”

I waved a hand around her room, giggling as I put the fresh delivery down on whatever free surface I could find, clearing away the wilted ones.

“You know, the pack is so grateful to you, G?! What you did was so amazing, really it was! Honestly, though? I miss you, G.”

I turned around and looked at her, my best friend, lying on her bed like she had been the last two months, snow falling gently on her from the cloud above.

She’d made such a sacrifice. She’d willingly entered death and pulled all thirty wolves back to the land of the living, trapping herself there in the process.

Frieda tried everything she could to bring Gia back, but no such luck. She was trapped. Kol was beside himself.

My eyes traveled over to him, passed out on the bed beside her, empty bottle of bourbon beside him. Same as he had been the last two months.

I didn’t remember the last time I’d seen him eat or even shower.

I gently covered him with a blanket, but he stirred, looking at me with his wild, bloodshot eyes. “Liv? What’s going on?”

I scrunched up my nose. God, he smelled like a distillery. His normally clean-shaven face had the beginnings of a beard brewing.

“Kol? When’s the last time you showered? Or had a coffee?” I whispered to him gently. He just shrugged. “I don’t want to leave her.”

I tried to smile encouragingly, but I knew it wasn’t convincing. “She’ll be okay, Kol. She’s so strong. She’s gonna get through this.”

He just looked down at his hands. “Thing is, Liv, I can feel her fading away. She’s barely there anymore. Every day, she gets weaker. I’m losing her; I know I am,” he whispered.

I felt a stabbing pain in my chest and found myself praying it wouldn’t be true.

“Hey, Kol, no, don’t think like that! Why don’t you head to Diego’s room to take a shower and change some clothes, and I will stay here and keep Gia company. We need a girl talk anyways.”

He let out a soft chuckle and nodded. “Yeah, okay, I’ll leave you girls to catch up.” His smile faded when he looked back at her. “I need her to come home, Liv.”

I clasped his hand and squeezed reassuringly. “I know, Kol. She will.”

He squeezed mine back. “How’re you holding up? Any word from Diego?”

I flinched. “Yeah, he caught up with some of the rogues. That’s the last I heard from him. It’s been a couple of days.” My voice trailed off as I choked back tears.

“Hey, Diego is a savage. He’ll be home soon; you know he will.”

He got up from the bed and headed toward the door. Once he was gone, I sank into the chair beside Gia’s bed and played with the hem of my skirt.

“I miss you, G! I dunno what to do without you. You were always the strong one. You always had the right answer. You always knew what to do.

“Kol is beside himself without you. I fear he may drink himself to death. Diego is on a murderous rampage. I just pray he’ll come back to me in one piece.”

I wiped a tear from my eye and continued, “Your father is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He’s locked himself in his study.

“Your mother is rallying every witch coven she can find to try and find Merrida. We all want you back, Gia. We miss you so much. This family is falling apart without you, honestly.”

I smiled and tucked the blanket covering her in closer.

“I spoke with that Ash boy. He said his mate, Marie, is doing better. She’s still on bed rest, but the baby’s vitals are picking up, and everything is looking good.

“I know you were behind it, Gia. You’re so kind like that.” I stroked a strand of hair away from her face, shuddering at how cold she felt.

“We’ve been best friends since we were pups. You remember? When I accidentally knocked you into the fountain and ruined your favorite sundress?

“I thought you were gonna beat me up, but you just laughed and asked if I wanted to be your friend. We’ve been inseparable ever since.”

I rolled my eyes. “Emily messaged me the other day; can you believe it? She said she’s sorry for her outburst. She was just going through some stuff.

“So I met her for coffee, actually, and she told me everything. But compared to what’s going on now, it’s just childish shit, so I forgave her, but honestly I dunno anymore.”

I played with the hem of my skirt again; one-sided conversations just weren’t the same. I just hoped she could hear me wherever she was.

“My mom’s pretty sick. I asked your mom to look at her, though, so I’m hoping maybe she can get better, you know? I just don’t know how much more I can take!

“I miss Diego. I’m worried about him. You know how he gets with his temper. I would ask Kol to track him down, what with him being part berserk, but he won’t leave your side.

“I just had to force him to take a shower. You should’ve smelled him. I’m surprised that alone didn’t wake you up!” I stifled a giggle.

I shuffled in my seat. “I have some news, actually, G! I want to tell you before I say anything to Diego, because well, you’re my best friend. I tell you everything! I’m so excited, G!”

I edged forward in my seat, sitting closer to her so I could whisper quietly in her ear.

“You’re gonna be an auntie, Gia. I’m pregnant! Please come home, Gia. We need you here, all of us.”