Fated to Him, Drawn to You

Chapter 8

MEGAN’S POV

I woke up early Saturday morning feeling lighter than I had in weeks. The sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. For the first time in a long while, I felt genuinely relaxed, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Jemma finding out about Victor and made a huge difference. It was as if a burden I didn’t even realize I was carrying had been gently lifted. I was glad I finally open up about what I’ve been holding inside. Sharing that piece of me with her made me feel freer, happier. And honestly, it made me feel closer to her…like our friendship had grown even stronger. I smiled to myself, grateful for this moment, knowing that sometimes, all it takes is a little honesty and a lot of love to make everything feel just right.

I made my way down to breakfast, walking softly as I noticed my parents speaking in hushed tones. Even with werewolf hearing, I couldn’t make out their conversation. I’m positive it had something to do with the emergency council meeting. Their voices were low, but the urgency was clear. As soon as I stepped into the kitchen, they abruptly stopped talking, exchanging quick glances.

“Hey, princess,” my dad greeted with a warm smile, his voice soothing. “Did you sleep well?”

I hesitated for a moment, studying their faces. “I did,” I replied, though I couldn’t shake the scepticism creeping in. I looked at them carefully, trying to gauge if everything was truly okay.

“Breakfast is on the table, sweetie. Enjoy!” my mom chirped, her smile warm and reassuring. “Your dad and I will be in his office. We have to meet with Beta Malik to discuss some pack business. Have fun with your friends at the beach.”

And just like that, they were gone, leaving me standing in the quiet kitchen, a mix of curiosity and concern swirling inside me.

Back in my room, I opened the drawer and rummaged through my bikinis, trying to decide which one to wear. After a moment of hesitation, I settled on a sleek black bikini I bought last month but never wore. The thin material hugged my curves like a second skin…sleek, daring, and impossible to ignore. The triangle top offered just the right amount of lift, with thin straps that tied behind my neck, drawing attention to my collarbones and sun-kissed shoulders. The matching bottoms sat low on my hips, accented by delicate side ties that hinted at mischief. The fabric shimmered ever so slightly in the sunlight, like liquid midnight…simple, yet devastatingly bold.

I then turned to my mirror, running my fingers through my hair as I debated what style to go with. After a bit of fussing and trying out a few different looks, I finally settled on a neat updo. Something effortless yet polished, perfect for a day at the beach with my friends.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I took a deep breath, feeling a little more confident. Today was supposed to be fun, a break from everything. I was ready to enjoy the sun, the waves, and delicious sea food.

I grabbed my gold flip-flops and the matching bag because, of course, everything had to coordinate. I tossed in the essentials: a wide-brimmed gold beach hat, some cash, a compact mirror, makeup, and my trusted sunscreen. Definitely couldn’t forget the sunscreen. My skin had plans to glow, not burn.

I grabbed my phone and quickly dialed Jemma’s number. When she answered, her voice was cheerful and a little breathless. “Hey! I’m on my way,” she said, her tone bright with excitement.

I giggled softly, remembering what Jemmy had told me last night. She’d been teasing Alec about skipping warrior practice just to drive us to the beach. “He’s worried about other guys looking at me half-naked,” she’d joked.

It was silly, really. We were often times more than half-naked, sometimes completely naked when we shifted back into our human forms. It was just part of the pack life, part of the wild, free way we moved through the world. But Jemma’s blush and teasing tone made it clear she didn’t mind the attention and jealousy.

Alec, of course, was just trying to be protective, even if it was a little over the top. I smiled to myself, feeling grateful for my friend and the carefree moments we shared, even amidst the mystery and secrets that hovered just beneath the surface of our everyday lives.

The drive to the beach was pure excitement. Jemma sat in the front with Alec, chatting animatedly, while I had the back seat all to myself. I was glad we took Alec’s car…his convertible, no less. With the roof down, the wind tousled my hair and the sun warmed my skin, making everything feel more alive.

We cranked up the music, and before I knew it, we were singing along at the top of our lungs...completely off-key, but that didn’t matter. Our voices echoed through the open air, loud and carefree. Alec was laughing, shaking his head at our horrible singing, but his laughter was infectious. Jemma and I exchanged glances, grinning wildly, caught up in the moment of pure joy.

When we finally arrived at the beach, we scanned the shoreline until we found the perfect spot beneath a big, leafy tree. Its shade was just right. Cool and inviting, perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sun. Jemma and I laid our towels down side by side, sinking into the warm sand as we kicked back, feeling the gentle breeze.

Alec, always the considerate one, headed off to grab us some fruit punches. As he disappeared into the crowd, I looked around and caught sight of him chatting animatedly with a group of guys. They seemed friendly enough, laughing and joking around.

When he returned, he told us they were guys from his school. Apparently, other schools had come to the beach today, making it busier than usual. I glanced around and soon spotted a few familiar faces, our classmates lounging nearby. I waved at them, and they waved back, smiling and waving their hands in greeting.

Alec was now busy applying sunscreen to Jemma’s back, while Jemma lay back, relaxing under the shade. I was curled up with a romance book on my phone, the story whisking me away to another world. But suddenly, I felt Jemma’s hand gently touch my arm. I looked up, curious.

She was quietly pointing, her eyes fixed on something beyond me. I followed her gaze and froze. There, strolling along the beach, were Emorie and Victor. My heart skipped a beat. The Vampires rarely, if ever, came to class trips, and now here they were, casually walking by like they belonged in the daylight.

My happy mood started to shift, a strange mix of surprise and something sharper…jealousy. I watched as Emorie’s arms were wrapped around Victor’s waist, her head leaning into him, their connection so natural, so intimate. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. Why did they seem so comfortable, so confident?

The carefree day suddenly felt heavier, the weight of unspoken feelings and unanswered questions pressing down on me amid the shimmering waves and warm sunshine.