All Chapters of Fated In Darkness: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

NatalieUp close, Carson was even more striking than the whispers and rumors made him out to be. His curly blond hair caught the firelight, glowing like a halo against his sharp, chiseled features.His blue eyes burned like twin flames, and they were fixed on me with an intensity that made it hard to breathe. He wore a simple black T-shirt and jeans, but the way they fit him… well, let’s just say he could’ve made a trash bag look runway-worthy.He was ridiculously attractive, yes. But my heart? It didn’t race for Carson. Not like it did for Adrian. Carson might’ve been the most desired guy on campus, but he didn’t occupy my dreams the way Adrian did. Still, standing this close to him was… disarming."Sorry," I managed to stammer, the words catching in my throat.He looked down at me, his lips curving into a small, confident smile. "Natalie Pierce," he said, his tone warm yet careful, like he was testing if he had my name right."Yeah," I said, narrowing my eyes slightly. "How do you k

NatalieI was too wired to sleep and too distracted to concentrate in class.Everything that had gone wrong with Michelle after the bonfire—the tension, the stares—had faded into insignificance.Adrian had texted me.Not just some casual check-in. He had gone out of his way to get my number. He said he wanted to see me.When? I didn’t know.But the thought of it was enough to make my skin hum with restless energy.Carson had messaged me a few times too, and I responded as politely—and distantly—as I could. I didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. He was nice. Sweet, even. But he wasn’t Adrian.“Hey, wanna help me hand out flyers today?” Lisa asked, bouncing up beside me.Honestly, I wasn’t looking forward to it. The idea of standing in the sun, smiling at strangers, and hawking whatever student event we were promoting sounded exhausting. But Lisa would’ve done it for me.And besides, she had no one else.“Okay,” I said with a tired smile. “But I can’t stay too long. I’m running on

NatalieThere were a lot of important people there—senior students, alumni, professors, and even a handful of dignitaries and a few multi-billionaires.It was clear: this wasn’t just a party. It was an elite gathering.The kind where every handshake was a transaction and every smile was laced with expectation.The only person who didn’t belong was me.I knew I looked the part—the dress, the jewelry, the careful makeup—but I felt out of place.A freshman among giants.I kept scanning the room, searching for Adrian. Hoping he'd show up soon. Hoping I could have someone to lean on before my nerves unraveled completely.I was so caught up in my own swirling anxiety that I didn’t see her approach.Michelle.She slipped into my peripheral vision like a shadow, her presence sharper than a blade.“What are you doing here, Pierce?” she asked, her voice dripping with that familiar, I’m-better-than-you tone.I turned toward her slowly, trying to school my face into something neutral. She stood

Natalie"Let's go somewhere private," Adrian whispered against my ear, his breath warm, sending a shiver straight down my spine.I didn’t hesitate. I was more than ready.He excused himself with a graceful nod to the others at our table, and I mirrored him, barely aware of the curious stares trailing after us.But instead of leading me toward an exit, Adrian steered me toward the dance floor.A waltz had just begun, the orchestra swelling with old-world grandeur.He pulled me close, his hand steady against my back, guiding me with a confidence that left no room for doubt or hesitation.The last time I had danced like this was with my father—and for a moment, a sharp pang of bittersweet memory twisted inside me.But I pushed it down.Tonight wasn’t for sadness.Tonight was for living.I let myself lean into Adrian, feeling the way his body moved with mine, leading without words, commanding without force. I could feel eyes on us—burning, envious, curious. Let them watch.I didn’t car

NatalieJust as I'd expected, the next day was chaos. Everywhere I went, eyes followed. Whispers floated through hallways and over lunch tables.Overnight, I had somehow become a sensation, and no one could seem to look away. Even people who used to barely tolerate me were now gawking like I was something rare on display.A few of the Phi girls, who had never spared me a second glance before, suddenly decided we should be best friends.The attention pressed down on me, heavy and strange. I couldn't figure out what had sparked it. Was it the invitation to the ball? Or was it the fact that I was with Adrian?Honestly, separating the two felt pointless. Still, it stung a little — since when did it matter so much who you showed up with?Lisa plopped down beside me on the grass, her grin wide with gossip. "Apparently, our handsome stranger is a big deal," she said, practically buzzing with excitement.I laughed, shaking my head before glancing at her. "A big shot isn't dangerous anymore,