marked By fate

The winding road carved its way between tall trees, forming a natural tunnel that filtered sunlight. The car gently rocked as it climbed the hill, and Naomi watched the changing landscape through the window. The air felt fresher there, filled with the woody scent of pines and damp earth. "You're going to love the cabin, I promise," Berry smiled from the passenger seat, excited. Naomi wasn't so sure. She had never visited the cabin before. In fact, it took months before Teddy allowed her to come. Berry's older brother had always been protective, and even if he claimed it was for safety, Naomi didn’t understand what was so dangerous about that place. "It seems pretty isolated," she commented, adjusting her backpack on her lap. "It is!" Berry laughed. "But it's cozy. And you're going to meet Ethan." The name came with a suggestive tone that made Naomi raise an eyebrow. "Right. And who is Ethan?" Berry flashed a mischievous smile. "My cousin. But he's almost like a brother. He lives there with Teddy and... well, he's curious to meet you." Curious? The word stirred something in Naomi, but she ignored it. Probably just another bored guy living in the middle of nowhere. The car stopped before an old iron gate, slightly ajar. Beyond it, a stone path led to a large wooden house surrounded by trees and a vast green field. Naomi stepped out and hoisted her backpack onto her shoulders. That’s when she felt it. A strange sensation washed over her, as if she were being watched. The wind blew against her face, carrying an unfamiliar scent. A shiver ran down her spine. Before she could react, a guy appeared on the porch. He was tall, with dark hair and blue eyes so deep they seemed to capture the surrounding light. His gaze pinned her in place, assessing her intensely. Naomi’s heart quickened for no apparent reason. Berry waved excitedly. "Ethan! This is Naomi!" He didn’t respond immediately. He only tilted his head slightly, as if memorizing every detail of her. Then, finally, a subtle smile touched his lips. "Welcome, Naomi." And for some reason, it sounded less like a greeting and more like a realization. As if he had known she was coming long before she decided to. ... The cabin was even bigger on the inside. The high ceiling and dark wooden walls gave a feeling of warmth and coziness. There were books everywhere, along with objects Naomi couldn't immediately identify. "I'll get you something to drink," Berry said, disappearing into the kitchen. Ethan was still there. He leaned against the doorframe, watching Naomi in a way that made her uneasy. It wasn’t hostile, but there was something in his gaze that made her skin tingle. "It's your first time here." Naomi nodded. "Yes. Berry talks a lot about you guys, but never explained why it’s so hard to visit the cabin." The corner of Ethan's lips lifted into a half-smile. "Teddy is cautious." "And you?" For a moment, something gleamed in his eyes. "I'm curious." Naomi looked away, feeling a strange weight in the air between them. "You have a lot of books." She walked over to the nearest shelf, letting her fingers slide over the spines. Some were old, with worn leather covers, others were filled with symbols she’d never seen before. "I like knowledge," his voice came from right behind her, too close. Naomi spun on her heels, surprised at how silently he moved. He was there, close enough for her to see the details of his face—the long eyelashes, the sharp jawline. The woody scent that seemed to belong to him. "And what do you want to know?" she asked, not realizing her voice came out softer than intended. Ethan watched her for a long moment before answering. "Everything about you." . . The days at the cabin followed a strange rhythm. Berry was the same as always, cheerful and talkative, trying to show Naomi everything—from the rooms in the cabin to the clearing out back where she liked to spend time. But Ethan was always around. He didn’t invade her space or talk too much. But he was always there. If Naomi stepped outside for fresh air, he was on the porch pretending to read a book. If she helped Berry in the kitchen, she felt his eyes silently analyzing her. If she walked down the hallway, she bumped into him, as if he were waiting for her. It was like a constant presence—firm, but never oppressive. And it began to bother Naomi. One night, after Berry went to sleep, Naomi decided to go out for air. The night was cool, and the moon lit the clearing softly. She walked to a fallen log and sat, hugging her knees. She didn’t understand why Ethan’s gaze unsettled her so much. It wasn’t just curiosity. It was something more. Something she couldn’t name. "You can't sleep?" The voice came from nearby, but Naomi wasn’t startled. She had known he was there before even turning her head. Ethan stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, the moonlight reflecting in his blue eyes. "I don't like the feeling of being watched," she said bluntly. Ethan was silent for a moment, then tilted his head as if considering something. "It’s not watching. It’s observing." "What’s the difference?" He stepped forward without hesitation. "Watching is looking from a distance, without involvement. Observing is paying attention. To every detail." Naomi felt her breath hitch but held his gaze. "And why do you do that?" The silence stretched. The wind whispered through the trees. Then Ethan replied with a simplicity that made her breath catch. "Because I can't help it." . . The wind blew stronger, making Naomi’s hair dance around her face. She didn’t look away. Ethan remained silent for a long time, his eyes fixed on her, as if trying to decide something. As if fighting an internal battle Naomi couldn’t understand. "You don’t understand, Naomi," his voice was low, almost a whisper filled with what seemed like… exhaustion. She frowned. "Then make me understand." A muscle in his jaw tightened. Ethan looked away, staring at the forest ahead, as if the darkness among the trees offered an answer he couldn’t give. Naomi crossed her arms. "Since I got here, you've been acting weird around me. One moment you’re normal, and the next..." she hesitated, searching for the right words, "...it’s like you’re waiting for something." He laughed, but it was bitter. "Maybe I am." "Waiting for what?" His eyes returned to hers, and Naomi felt a chill up her spine. That look... there was something in it, something deep and fierce, something that made her hold her breath. And then Ethan stepped forward. "You feel it, Naomi." She blinked. "Feel what?" "This," he exhaled, licking his lips, his dark eyes shining under the moonlight. "This weight between us. This invisible thing pulling us toward each other." Naomi's heart thundered in her chest. No. That couldn’t be it. "I... I don’t know what you’re talking about." Ethan smiled, but there was no humor on his face. "Of course you do." She shook her head, stepping back. "You’re being dramatic." "I’m being honest." Naomi felt a knot form in her throat. This wasn’t right. This didn’t make sense. Ethan was... he was Ethan. Berry’s cousin. Someone she had just met. Why did he suddenly feel like someone completely different? Why did she feel like she was standing before something far bigger than she could comprehend? The wind howled around them, carrying dry leaves across the cabin ground. Ethan took another step forward, and Naomi felt her body freeze. "You don’t need to be afraid of me." "I’m not afraid," but her voice trembled. Ethan’s eyes darkened. "If you knew the truth, Naomi..." She swallowed hard. "Then tell me." For an instant, he seemed to consider it. But then, as if something inside held him back, Ethan looked away. "I can’t." Naomi felt frustration grow in her chest. "Then why start this conversation?" Ethan sighed. "Because I needed to know." "Know what?" He looked at her again. "If you felt it too." Naomi felt the ground vanish beneath her feet. The silence between them was deafening. And then, before she could process what was happening, a noise came from the forest. A snap. Movement between the trees. Ethan turned instantly, his muscles tense, eyes scanning the darkness. "Go back inside, Naomi." She frowned. "What?" "Now." "Ethan, what’s going on?" Another snap, closer this time. Then, as if the night itself were holding its breath, a pair of eyes glowed in the darkness. Naomi felt her world spin. No. This couldn’t be happening. But deep down, something inside her already knew. This was only the beginning. --- The silence that followed was suffocating. Naomi felt her heart pounding against her ribs, eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. The glowing eyes were still there. Watching. Evaluating. Ethan stepped between her and the forest, his body tense like a spring ready to snap. "I said go inside, Naomi. Now." She didn’t move. "What’s going on? Who’s out there?" Ethan’s gaze turned sharp. "Do you trust me?" The question caught her off guard. Naomi hesitated. She wanted to say yes. Wanted to believe she knew Ethan, that he had always been trustworthy. But something inside her screamed that the boy standing before her wasn’t just the Ethan she knew. He was something more. "I..." A low growl came from the darkness. Naomi's skin crawled from head to toe. Ethan moved lightning-fast, grabbing her wrist and pulling her toward the door. "Now!" She stumbled, but obeyed, feeling the heat of his hand burning against her skin. Her heart beat so fast she could hardly breathe. As soon as they crossed the threshold, Ethan shut the door behind them, locking it with a sharp click. "Don’t turn on the lights," he ordered, voice low but firm. Naomi backed away, her chest rising and falling in erratic breaths. "Are you going to tell me what’s going on?" Ethan ran a hand down his face, like he was fighting an internal battle. "I can’t." She let out a humorless laugh. "Are you kidding me? First, you act weird with me, speak like there’s something I should know, and now... this?!" Ethan looked her dead in the eyes. "I’m just trying to keep you safe." Naomi crossed her arms, adrenaline pumping in her veins. "Safe from what?" He opened his mouth to respond, but something outside interrupted. A howl. Long. Deep. Naomi felt her blood freeze. "That... was that a wolf?" Ethan closed his eyes for a moment and then nodded. "Yes." "But there aren’t wolves in this region..." He looked at her in a strange way. "There are, Naomi. You just don’t see them." Before she could ask what he meant, a loud sound echoed outside. As if something—or someone—was getting closer. Naomi turned to the window and then she saw it. A tall shadow. Standing right at the edge of the forest. Her heart pounded even harder when she realized it wasn’t just an animal. It was someone. And somehow, she knew that whoever it was—was there for her. Ethan growled softly, almost imperceptible. Naomi took a step back. "Ethan… who is that person?" He didn’t answer. He just stood there, tense, ready to act. But Naomi noticed something. Beneath the tension, there was something else in his eyes. Fear. And that scared her more than anything. Outside, the night whispered secrets Naomi wasn’t yet ready to understand. But she would soon. Because whatever that was—it wasn’t going away anytime soon. And neither was Ethan. Destiny had already made its choice.