Fated Desires: The Alpha's Forbidden Mate

The Unexpected Reunion You shouldn't be here. His voice broke through the suspense hanging in the air with its deep, frigid, sharpness. I stopped; my heart was racing. I knew the voice, rich, deep, memorable. Turning carefully to face the guy I never would have seen again, my heart accelerated. Blackthorn Damian is. The Alpha that burst through my barrier. The man who turned me down without a second thought. His piercing blue eyes peered into mine, a tempest of feelings whirling inside them: wrath, uncertainty, and something more I could define. Though altered, he looked the same. Older, tougher, and even more dangerously beautiful than in past years. I forced myself to stand upright and refused to reveal any weakness by swallowing the knot developing in my throat. Not right now. Not right in front of him. "I came here for you, not here." His mouth closed, and he stepped forward, his strong presence stifling. Then why are you here, Aria? Why then? I looked at him, not wavering. "That has nothing to do with your business." His stance was stiff and his eyes clouded. "Everything that goes on in my pack is business." I got shivers running down my back. His troops. Still in charge, he remained the Alpha. But I was no longer the frail, broken girl he remembered. I don't belong to your pack. Not anymore. His eyes fluttered with something almost like suffering, but his face grew stony. You disappeared. You left no option for me. I snorted and crossed my arms. "You chose the moment you turned away from me." Silence, electrified and electric, hung thick between us. His jaw tightened as though he were holding back something he wouldn't dare to speak; his eyes never turned away from mine. I wished I could detest him. I wanted to condemn him for every tear I dropped because of him and shout. But my heart deceived me, galloping frantically at his nearness. There was still, although slight, a tie between us. A painful reminder of what could have been. He moved still another step toward her, his voice strained. " Why did you come back, Aria? His aroma encompassed me, woodsy and seductive, and it was difficult to think clearly. Even today, I dislike his easy influence on me. I returned to pay tribute to the graves of my parents. That's it all. His gaze softened only for a moment. You may have asked for permission. I sighed angrily. "Since when should I ask permission to grieve?" His face became tight, shame blazing over his features. You ought to have mentioned this. Unable to tolerate his stare, I turned away. "What would I do?" Why care now when you did not care then? He stammered, his hands closing at his sides. "I followed what I felt was best." "Wonderful for whom?" You too? Alternatively, the pack? My voice faltered, anguish and resentment mingling into a sour combination. You disposed of me as though I were nothing. You humiliated me and turned away from me in front of everyone because I lacked the strength you demanded. His eyes opened, horror and sorrow dancing over his face. Aria... Stepping back, I said, "Save it." "I need your pity not here." His shoulders stiffened as he appeared as though I had hit him. "I never puked you." I shook my head, my chest getting tight. "I'm not bothered." I came here not intending to dig into the past. I dropped by to bid farewell. His expression sank, terror flickering across his eyes. Goodbyes? Meaning what? I'm headed out of Silver Crest. For decent. His body became stiff as the color washed from his face. One cannot. I'm not going to let it. My fury flying, I scowled at him. For me, Damian, you no longer have a say. Not based on what you did. He seemed vulnerable in a manner I never would have imagined. Lost. You cannot just leave. "Watch me," I said, my voice cracking. A great crash sounded in the forest before he could reply. As shadows passed between the trees surrounding us, my heart skipped a pulse. A deep growl, dark and threatening, rumbled. Damian's eyes closed, and his body became stiff. " Rogues. A chill of terror slid down my spine. I know that snarl. The sound I heard the night I discovered my power was the same one I heard during my attack. Damian came up front, his posture defensive. Stay behind me. I bristled at his dictatorial voice. I can look after myself. His eyes darted at me, sharp and uncompromising. "Not against them," he said. They are hunting after you. My blood turned frigid. "What?" He said nothing. Rather, he changed into his wolf form—massive, strong, his black fur at midnight. To warn our invisible foes, he let forth a savage growl that reverberated throughout the jungle. The shadows drew nearer, and I sensed the air becoming colder and heavier. Fear threatened to overwhelm and my heart hammered. Then I thought back about who I was. I was not the subdued girl he used to know. Not quite anymore. I moved forward, hands flickering with a faint silver light. Damian's wolf gazed at me, horror clearly in his eyes. I lacked time, though, to elaborate. Rising from the shadows, the first rogue attacked with bloodlust flashing crimson eyes. Damian jumped, running across it in midair and their corpses fell to the ground in a frenzy of fangs and claws. Another renegade aimed at me, its growl resonating among the woods. Though my heart flew, I stayed still and concentrated on the strength within me. From my palms, light sprang forth toward the rogue and shot back into the night. Damian's gaze fixed on me, his wolf momentarily startled by what he saw. But the time for explanations was not available. More darkness surrounded us. As I understood we were outnumbered, my heart surged. Five, five, six, not eight of them. Their snarls were ravenous and savage, their eyes blazing crimson. Damian was standing next to me; his body was stiff and ready for battle; his fur bristled. I sensed his will and needed him to shield me. It gave my chest an uncertain glow. I tightened my hands, my strength flooding into me. I would not run. Not on this occasion. Not ever again. Damian's wolf low hissed, his sound resonating in my head. Stay close to me. We battle beside each other. Surprised by his remarks, I stared at him. Once turned away from me, the Alpha now stood by my side prepared to battle for me. Nodding, I pushed the knot in my throat. "Together." The rogues attacked, and everything vanished into a swirl of teeth, claws, and shadows. As Damian battled with great might, his wolf tearing through the invaders, light burst from his palms, lighting the black forest. Still, they persisted, violent and unrelenting. My body was weakening with every light blast; my powers were rapidly running out. Fear grabbing me, I staggered back realizing we were losing. Three rogues flung Damian's body to the ground; his wolf let out a terrible howl. Blood streaked his fur; his eyes begged as he battled to stand. "No!," I yelled, running for him, but a rogue barred my way with lethal intent from its fiery eyes. Its claws pointed at my heart, and it lunged.