Tethered By Fate

Chapter Nine

Sleep had never felt so far away.

Even hours later, I could still feel the ghost of Tristan’s fingers as they tucked my hair behind my ear. It was such a small thing. Innocent, even.

But it haunted me. Not because of what he did but because of how he looked at me when he did it.

I lay there in the huge bed, staring at the ceiling. The memory of his smile replaying in my head like a stubborn melody. At some point in the night, I heard the soft creak of the guest room door. He hadn’t stayed in the room with me, even though technically we were supposed to be sharing the suite. He'd said nothing about it and I hadn’t asked.

But I noticed and I appreciated it more than I expected.

By morning, I was already sitting on the edge of the bed, lacing up my boots when a soft knock came at the door.

“You ready?” Tristan’s voice filtered through the wood, steady as ever.

I opened the door to find him dressed in dark grey today, his eyes scanning me once before he gave a small nod.

“Come on. You’ll need to stretch first.”

I followed without complaint.

Training was tough—again—but I didn’t whine this time. There was a rhythm to it now. A focus. Christina met us halfway through and helped refine my movements but I could tell she was holding back less and less.

Not bad for my second day.

Tristan watched. Corrected me occasionally. But mostly, he let me work through it.

And when we finished, he tossed me a towel and said, “Clean up. We’re leaving after breakfast.”

I blinked, panting. “Leaving?”

He nodded. “To meet my parents. Before the ceremony.”

I nearly dropped the towel. “Pardon?”

He looked at me like he’d just reminded me to drink water. Casual. Unbothered.

“My parents,” he repeated. “You’ll want to look presentable.”

I stood there, stunned. How could he say it so casually. As if we were not going to meet the people who created him.

-----

The drive was quiet. Not tense but not relaxed either. Tristan kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting near the gear shift. Long fingers drumming occasionally against the leather.

His parents lived in a large estate just outside the capital, a blend of regal stone and high glass windows, perched above rolling green grounds and a forest that seemed to hum with ancient energy.

The moment we stepped out of the car, I could feel it.

Judgment.

It wasn’t loud. No sneers or outright disdain. But the staff at the entrance watched me a little too long. Their bows too shallow. Their eyes too sharp.

I smoothed my hands down my sides and walked a little straighter.

A tall man waited for us in the foyer. He had Tristan’s build—broad, severe and the same pitch-black hair streaked now with silver. His eyes were a cold steel gray. A frown settled deep into his features like it belonged there.

“Father,” Tristan said, his tone stiff.

“Alpha Darius,” I added politely, dipping my head.

He gave me a look that felt more like a scan. “You’re smaller than I expected.”

Charming.

His wife appeared a moment later, a striking woman with warm bronze skin, soft chestnut hair swept into an elegant twist and deep brown eyes that lit up when she saw her son.

“Tristan!” she beamed, stepping forward and wrapping him in a rare hug.

“Mom,” he murmured, hugging her back more gently.

She turned to me with open curiosity and a kind smile. “And you must be Lily. I’ve heard very little, which means you must be important.”

That earned a glance from Tristan.

“Elyra,” she said, while pulling me into a warm hug.

I liked her instantly.

The warmth didn’t last long.

We were led to our room—yes, our. No guest room this time. A beautifully decorated suite with dark wood furnishings, gold accents and one large bed draped in deep red linens.

I turned slowly to Tristan. “Just the one?”

He shrugged, amused. “Act like you’re surprised.”

I muttered something under my breath and went into the room.

Laid out on the bed was a red dress. Silk,elegant with a sweetheart neckline, delicate off-shoulder straps and a slit that would probably give me anxiety.

“You picked this?” I asked.

He nodded once. “I think it will suit you.”

I stared at it like it might bite.

But I wore it.

After getting ready, I stepped out of the bathroom. Tristan was standing by the window, dressed in a sharp black Armani suit, the fabric catching just enough light to hint at how expensive it was. A sleek silver watch glinted on his wrist, subtle but impossible to miss.

He turned around and his eyes trailed slowly down my body.

My breath caught.

“You look…” He hesitated. “Beautiful.”

I swallowed. “Thank you.”

He walked over, holding something small in his palm. A velvet box.

“This is for you,” he said.

I opened it and gasped.

A necklace. Silver-white gold with a large, tear-shaped diamond at the center, encircled by smaller stones. Elegant. Stunning. It looked ancient.

“I—Tristan, this is…”

He took it from my hands and stepped behind me. His fingers brushed the nape of my neck as he clasped it on. I closed my eyes for a moment, overwhelmed.

When I turned to face him, my hand rose instinctively to touch the cool weight of the diamond resting just above my collarbone.

“Thank you,” I said softly, looking into his eyes. “It’s… beautiful.”

His gaze held mine, something unreadable flickering in the depths.

“You’re welcome,” he said quietly.

I swallowed, the words catching in my throat.

He offered me his arm. “Ready?”

Not even close.

But I nodded anyway.

-----

Dinner was held in a dining hall that could probably seat thirty, but tonight it was just the four of us. Elyra sat across us, warm and inquisitive. Darius sat at the head, fork poised like a weapon, eyes pinned to mine with every word I spoke.

At first, it was fine. Surface conversation.

Then…

“So, Lily,” Darius said coolly, “what do your parents do?”

I blinked. “I don’t know them.”

His brow lifted. “Excuse me?”

I kept my voice steady. “I was left at the border of my old pack as a baby. A woman dropped me off. I never saw her again.”

Beside me, Tristan went still.

-----

Tristan’s POV

I watched her face carefully.

She said the words smoothly, like she was discussing the weather.

But I saw it.

That flicker.

The one that passed through her eyes like a ripple in still water. Buried deep.

I hadn’t known that.

Not because she kept it from me.

Because I never asked.

She’d been at my side for days now, training, surviving. I knew how she fought. How she flinched when praised. How she hated vulnerability but still gave it.

But I didn’t know the first thing about where she came from.

“Interesting,” my father said slowly, voice laced with disdain. “So you’re not only a former omega… but an orphan as well?”

I tensed.

Lily looked down, forcing her shoulders straight.

I saw it. The shame. The doubt. The fight to hide it.

“She’s not just an omega,” I said flatly, my voice cutting across the table. “She’s my mate. And she’s stronger than half the wolves you’ve trained.”

Father’s gaze sharpened. “And you think that qualifies her to rule?”

I met his stare without blinking. “What would you know about qualifications? All you do is belittle others to feel powerful.”

Silence.

Mom placed her hand gently on his arm, giving him a warning look.

But I could barely sit still.

I hated that look in Lily’s eyes. I hated my father. I always had. His coldness. His posturing. His pride. And now… he made her feel small.

And I wanted to tear something apart for it. Which made no sense. Because this wasn’t supposed to matter. She wasn’t supposed to matter.

And yet—she did.