Fated by fate: When love meets fear

Hours of long lectures and mock exams finally ended, allowing my relief to break free. Students spilled out of lecture halls, their chatter echoing throughout the corridors.The aches in my body reflected how burnt out my mind felt as I tried to stretch them out, waiting for the doorway to clear. It didn’t take long for the large room to empty before I dragged my feet to the flooded corridors.With the motivation of my body’s need for the soft embrace of my bed, I navigated the bustling hallways, weaving through groups discussing the upcoming ceremony for the twins.This ceremony was more than a tradition; it marked a fresh start for our pack’s next leaders. Neighboring packs’ would travel hours to meet our new Alphas, some even arrived earlier than needed just to help set everything up.We had a reputation for being one of the most peaceful and tight-knit communities, rarely ever involving ourselves in rivalry or conflict. Despite our small size, we operated like a big family, someth

It’s been three days since our brief encounter. Three long days of torment where the universe, as cruel as it has always been, toyed with my thoughts. I expected the moon goddess to deny me a fated mate. It would fit the pattern of my life.Honestly, I couldn’t have cared less if I was never granted one. Three years of being mateless have already passed, and it’s been comforting, in a twisted way, knowing I’d avoid the pain of being tied to someone for life. After all, it always ends with me receiving the backlash of it all.Yet, here I am, unable to shake her from my mind. Like a tumor. Nathaniel, won’t let it go or allow me to forget her. He relentlessly claws at my consciousness. We need to pursue our mate, he insists, his urgency growing by the hour. It’s maddening, my frustration mounts.He’s making it near impossible to concentrate on anything else. I sit in front of my screen, trying to edit a video. No matter how many times I try to re-do it, it still looks like crap. Ideas sl

For a second, my mind had gone completely blank, mesmerized by his entire existence. If it wasn’t for that sudden head tilt, the “did you hear me?” look, I might still have been caught in his spell.“Yes. Sorry! I was just going, I mean I was meant to, kitchen to where,” I began sentences and never finished them, my mind racing in sync with my heart. I took a deep breath before I continued to let any more words spill, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings.” My voice finally steadied and formed a normal sentence.The intensity of his gaze sent a rush of heat up my neck, forcing my eyes down and my body to move to the side in hopes of maneuvering past him. But my line of path was blocked quickly as he stepped right in front of me, an immovable wall.“That’s alright, by the way, I didn’t catch your name earlier,” he said, as if it was a casual request.Earlier? Oh, right. The night of our encounter, his words, his facials, a bitter reminder crashed over me like a bucke

Okay, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel anything when I watched him interacting with others—complete denial. Flashing that mind-consuming smile I’d seen thousands of times in his videos, chatting away like it was the most fascinating thing ever. I tried my best to ignore him, though it was difficult when his presence alone demanded attention.A quiet frustration would simmer inside me every time my gaze slid back to him. Not only because he was unbelievably nice to others, but because I knew better and would still allow him to creep into my thoughts. I have no idea how many times I cursed during the ceremony. A low, silent stream of profanity under my breath.Even during the commotion going on at the afterparty, I still couldn’t ignore him. Music thumped, laughs rang out, and yet, my eyes would cut past the dancing bodies to where he stood. He looked different, softer, than he ever had with me. I didn’t think anything else he had done could get any more of a reaction out of me. But

The door slammed, a sound that echoed the chaos in my head. Damn it! Setiray. She was a goddamn whirlwind. A chaotic, intoxicating, infuriating whirlwind. But she was right. I was an sash*le. Cold. Distant. And now, possessive as hell. And sure as hell had no right whatsoever. I cursed Nathaniel out. If I hadn’t drunk so much, I’d never have allowed him to have so much control over me in that moment.I scrubbed a hand down my face, which did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside. I needed to fix this. No, I doubt anything I say would fix anything. Maybe I could at least stop her from doing something stupid. I hope.I surged out of the room. The party slammed into me like a wall of noise and bodies. Music pulsed, laughter echoed in the night sky, but I only had eyes for one thing: the flash of her dress disappearing out of the crowd into the pitch-dark night that held the forest captive.I plowed through the crowd, earning glares and muttered curses. Didn't matter. Nothing mattered