Cursed by Fate (COMPLETE)

Chapter Twenty

As I walked out to the old oak I wondered why Malachi had asked me to leave. I knew whatever they were discussing had to do with me, otherwise I would still be in there. Curiosity coursed through me as I sat below the tree rifling through everything that happened today trying to figure out if I had done anything. 

I winced at what I believed may be the cause of their conversation. It wasn’t long after we had gotten to town. We were on our way to the restaurant, well more like a diner. We were actually having a good time. Talking and getting to know random things about each other as we walked the streets of town, when a woman just popped up from nowhere. 

Her blonde hair was fashioned in perfect waves, her breasts all but popping out the top of her dress. She had her makeup done up to where I believed she looked like she belonged on a street corner somewhere. As her hooded eyes roamed over my men and landed on Lance I stiffened. 

“Hello Lance.” The woman purred, her voice sultry and seductive. It wasn’t until she reached her hand out and actually touched him I lost it. 

A low but reverberating growl erupted from my throat and I was in front of her before I knew what I was doing. I grasped her wrist tightly and forcefully pulled her away from Lance, shoving her onto her backside on the concrete. She sneered at me as she climbed to her feet, her lip curling over her teeth. 

“Do.Not.Touch.Him.” I said, emphasising each word. 

She scoffed at me as she moved to push past me, her eyes locked on Lance behind me. Something in me snapped when she tried to touch him again, and the growl that escaped me this time froze her in place. I grasped the woman by her throat and somehow lifted her off the ground as I snarled at her. 

“What did I say?” I hissed “I told you not to touch him. He’s mine.” I seethed, tightening my hold around her throat. 

“Your eyes.” She gasped as she began struggling in my grip. “What are you?” She was panicking, and I was morbidly enjoying it. 

“Nicole, you can put her down. She understands.” Lance said gently. 

I snapped my head over to look him in the eye. His look of surprise didn’t escape me, but it didn’t phase me either at this point. 

“She tried to touch someone that didn’t belong to her.” I said curtly. 

“Yes, and now she knows better. You can release her now.” 

I sighed, turning to the woman who was now turning blue in my hold. 

“Fine.” I said, throwing her to the ground. Anger still coursed through me as I turned and looked at my other two men. Their eyes widened but I didn’t care. “I’m not hungry anymore.” I stated calmly before making my way back to the car. 

I shuddered at the memory. I lost control. Of what I had no idea, but I lost control of something. I knew they weren’t going to tell me, and I was okay with that. I don’t think I wanted to know right now anyway. Whatever that possessive and violent part of me was scared me. It was strong though, and the strength was something I loved feeling. I loved the strength that coursed through me, the confidence, the power. 

“Nicole?” Lance questioned. 

“Hey.” I smiled, opening my arms to him. “Are y’all done already?”

“I am.” He huffed sitting beside me and pulling my head into his lap. I willingly lay on him and smiled up at him as he started running his fingers through my hair. My smile fell when I noticed the stress marring his beautiful features. The stress lines on his forehead, and the lines on the corner of his eyes as he scrunched his face in deep thought. 

“Are you alright?” I asked, reaching up to smooth the lines in his forehead. 

His warm brown eyes looked down at me and he smiled. “Yes Uwoduhi, I’m alright.” He assured me. 

I nodded but continued to lightly run my fingers up and down the side of his face, tracing from his brow down to his cheek. After a while, he finally relaxed. The tension falling from his shoulders and his face relaxing as he sighed leaning into my hand. I couldn’t help but smile at him, I always smiled at him. He was just so...so, so Lance. I don’t know how to explain it. He was my beautiful mate, my beautiful wolf. He was mine. Now like earlier, the thought stunned me. I hated Elias laying claim on me, and here I was doing it. 

“I’m sorry about earlier.” I whispered. “I don’t know what happened, or why I acted like that. Just when she touched you I got so mad. And when she tried again after I warned her, something just snapped. I don’t know what, but something did. I’m sorry I lay claim on you. I hated Elias doing that to me and here I am doing it to you. I’m such a hypocrite.” 

“No. No, my Uwoduhi.” He said softly, caressing my cheek. “Werewolves are very territorial and possessive of their mates, it’s natural, it’s instinct. It is nothing you should apologize for. I personally enjoyed watching you get so possessive of me.” He smirked, leaning down and gently brushing his lips across mine. 

I sat up and pressed my lips firmly to his, wrapping my arm around his neck and pulling him closer. A growl vibrated his chest as he pressed me to him by the small of my back deepening the kiss. I moaned into the kiss, consumed by the feel of his lips on mine, the feel of his body pressed flush against me. 

Lance pulled away breathing heavily and pressed his forehead to mine. “Oh, how you consume every part of me Uwoduhi.” He murmured. 

“You my Lance have consumed every part of me.” I rubbed my nose against his and smiled. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” 

“We having a picnic out here?” Elias’s voice broke through our moment. 

I groaned and dropped my head back into Lance’s lap. Lance just chuckled and started running his fingers through my hair once again. 

“No Elias. I was kicked out, remember?” 

“We’re done now if you want to go back in.” He said sitting down and pulling my feet into his lap. But the moment he started rubbing my feet I was done for, I completely melted. 

I moaned. “No. I’m good here.” 

They both laughed. My breath caught in my throat at the sound of Elias’s melodic laugh. Yes, Elias was a handsome man, but his laugh. His laugh could melt a heart of stone if he aimed it at them. Never would I have thought such a sound could come from him. I didn’t dare say anything for fear of ruining the moment, so all I did was smile and enjoy the sound. 

“So you like being pampered.” Elias’s amused voice caught my attention. 

“I don’t know.” I sighed. “I’ve never been pampered. But this right here is nice, I like it. Being taken care of. It feels...well it feels nice to be cared for.” 

“You’ve never had anyone take care of you? Shower you with love, with gifts. Show you just how valued you are?” Elias asked

I snorted. “No. I’ve let anyone close enough to try.” 

“Why?” It was Lance this time. 

I released a heavy breath. “Because I’ve never really liked people. And until recently never been attracted to another person. Never even felt the urge to engage in any type of relationship other than friendship. And likewise, they all seemed deterred from me somehow, like I wore some kind of man repellant. I don’t know. I didn’t mind though.” I shrugged. 

“So you’ve never been in a relationship before?” Elias asked stunned. 

“Nope.” I replied popping the ‘p’

“Well, then I’m sure we are all honored to be your first.” He said more gently. 

I smiled. I wonder what had happened to make this man change so much? He admitted he had two sides. This side, softer, kinder and more understanding. Then his asshole and dickish side I didn’t much like. But like I found out today I have more of an asshole side than I thought, so maybe, just maybe Elias wasn’t as bad as I thought he was.