Cursed by Fate (COMPLETE)

Chapter Sixteen

Malachi’s gaze drifted from the now closed door to Mathias, who was now standing next to Lance. I could tell from Malachi’s posture he was holding himself back from attacking him. I knew he would with just one word from me, one signal. One I wouldn’t give. I don’t think I could handle anything happening to him. Despite what he did, he still meant something to me. Mathias had still been there for me when no one else was. 

“He’s alright Malachi.” I said softly, laying a hand on his shoulder, “He won’t hurt me. He won’t even lay a finger on me unless I approach him first.”

“Are you sure?” Malachi asked, never turning to face me. 

“Yes, I’m sure.” 

Malachi straightened his posture though his shoulders were still tense, and the muscles in his back were still coiled and ready to spring. “Fine.” He breathed. “But he will not stay here. He will stay in town where I can keep an eye on him.” 

A small giggle escaped me and I tried to cover it with a cough. I knew I had failed miserably when Lance smirked over at me and Mathias glowered. I just shrugged. There was really nothing I could do. Malachi was the sheriff. If he wanted to keep an eye on Mathias then what could I do? He just wanted Mathias to stay in town at night, he could still spend the day here with me and Lance. 

I knew in the back of my mind I would have to start spending time alone with each of them. That I would have to take the time to get to know each of them individually. But I wasn’t sure I was ready to leave Lance. Yet on the other hand my stomach flipped and my heart fluttered at the thought of being alone with Mathias again. The waring emotions were confusing and felt as if they would tear my insides apart if I wasn’t careful. 

Then again, wasn’t that part of the curse? To be torn? To be hurting and broken? To be forced into a decision you didn’t want to make? It was such a cruel thing to do. And to do it to an entire race of people? Were all the gods as cruel as the fates? Were they all as biased and self serving as the fates were? 

If I ever found a way to contact the gods, to find myself face to face with the fates, I would question them. Demand answers as to why they would do this. I would do anything and everything in my power to get them to reverse this. But why? Would I want two soulmates, maybe even three? Though I could never picture myself with Elias. That vampire had his head shoved so far up his ass I’m sure he didn’t know what the sun looked like anymore. 

I never really even considered one relationship, one man in my life. Much less two or three. And honestly the prospect of it all scared me a bit. And made me feel kind of like a hoe. Wasn’t being with more than one person considered being a slut? Was wanting to be with more than one considered being one? Because hurting Mathias or Lance the way I knew choosing one would, would completely break my heart to see. I don’t think I could handle seeing the heartbreak in their eyes or on their face. 

If I could get away without choosing at all I would. I would walk away from all three of them if it meant it would stop them from being hurt. To keep them from feeling the heartbreak I know one of them was sure to face. I would face a lifetime of loneliness and solitude before I wanted to see that. 

I never once thought that I would be put in a position where I would have to choose between three men, much less feel something for two and want to protect them. I never thought I would want to risk my own happiness, my own future for a man, or more like men. It was an odd feeling. One I didn’t mind, but also one I never wanted to feel again. 

“Nicole, you can’t possibly agree with this.” Mathias said firmly. 

“Mathias, there is nothing I can do. Malachi is the sheriff, he runs the town. What he says goes. I’m sorry.” I said, smiling sadly. 

Mathias growled, his eyes turning gold as he bared his teeth at Malachi. 

“Mathias.” I shouted. “Enough.” 

My voice snapped him out of his trance as his eyes shifted from Malachi to me. “He is trying to keep me from you, my mate.” Malachi snapped. 

“No, he is trying to stop you and Lance from tearing each other's throat out,” I sighed heavily. “You are both dominant males in the same house with a female that could end up as your mate. Even I know that’s a bad idea. You two would end up fighting and potentially killing each other before the end of the night. And that is not something I want to have to see or deal with. You of all people should know that just from my past Mathias.” 

Mathias sighed, his eyes slowly fading back to the green I loved. “You’re right Nicole, I’m sorry. The last thing I want to do is put you through more trauma. You don’t deserve that. I’ll go with Malachi and stay in town, but I’ll be back in the morning. I want to spend as much time with you as possible before your birthday and your shift next month.” 

“Good because I have questions for you and Lance both about my shift.” I said looking between them. “Things I really should have asked before now but have been putting off.” 

Mathias nodded before coming and pulling me into his arms. “I missed you.” He whispered into my hair. “I am so glad I found you.”

I smiled as I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his collar bone. “Despite everything, I missed you too. And I am glad as well. I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

Mathias kissed my forehead and followed Malachi broodingly out the door. I knew he didn’t want to go. That he wanted to stay here and spend time with me now that he finally found me. But we all knew he couldn’t. It wouldn’t be safe for any of us. Dominant males, wolves especially, will fight for a female to prove their worth. The winner usually wins the honor of mating with the female. But I doubt that is how things work with werewolves, or hybrids for that matter. 

“Are you alright Uwoduhi?” Lance asked, pulling me to him. 

“Yeah, I guess.” I sighed. “It’s just hard with everyone being here. It makes everything real. I have to face it all now, I can’t ignore it or pretend it isn’t real.” I closed my eyes and snuggled into Lance’s chest, the scent of cinnamon and pine filling my senses and calming my nerves. 

“I don’t think he is very happy about me staying here overnight.” Lance chuckled.

“Oh, I know he’s not.” I laughed. “But I’m sure it’ll be fine. He will get his time soon. Right now though I think I just want to go have a nice long soak in the tub and go to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a long and stressful day for all of us. I suggest you get some rest too Lance, you and Mathias will be butting heads all day.” 

“I will be on my best behavior for you Uwoduhi, I promise.”

“Thank you.” I whispered, reaching to press my lips against his. Mhmmm, I loved the feel of this man's lips on mine. Loved the taste of him. I needed help. Like, I seriously needed therapy. How can I love how someone tastes? Kind of makes me feel cannibalish. Ugh! So gross. My stomach rolled painfully at the mere thought.  “Good night Lance.” I said gently as I pulled away from him. 

“Good night Nicole.” 

I made my way upstairs more than ready to go ahead and get tomorrow over with. Having both men in the house together was not going to be fun. Even moving all of us outside will be hard. We can’t go into town, not with how we know Lance and Mathias will act. So we were stuck keeping out uh, our, gathering, for lack of a better term here. At my home. Because every woman dreams of the possibility of having her home ripped apart by supernatural beings on a testosterone high. I just knew they were going to spend the day in a dominance contest and I wouldn’t get any answers. Maybe Malachi could stay this once and mediate everything. It would definitely help me out a lot. After I got my answers tomorrow, I was sure I could handle things from there. I guess we’ll find out.