All Chapters of Tethered To Fate : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Chapter 20: Barely Contained (Dominic’s POV — First Person) She stepped through the door like a secret coming to life. And I forgot how to breathe. Nayla. Wrapped in red. Not just any red — a deep, dark, sinful crimson that shimmered with every tiny shift of her body, clinging to her curves like it was made for her and no one else. My hands flexed at my sides. I had to lock my jaw to keep from crossing the room in three strides and pulling her against me. She looked small and nervous, smoothing invisible wrinkles from the sequined fabric, her teeth catching the corner of her lip. Gods, she had no idea. No idea what she did to me just by standing there. No idea how much I wanted to drag her away from the gala, away from the gawking eyes and snapping cameras, and keep her tucked safe in my arms where no one else could look at her. No one else could even breathe in her direction. My wolf prowled just under my skin, growling low, desperate for contact, for scen

Chapter 22: A Dance in the Dark The music softened into something slower, older, the kind of song that wrapped itself around the room like silk. The lights dimmed just slightly, casting everything in a golden warmth, and the dance floor filled with swaying bodies lost in rhythm and reverence. Dominic turned to me, offering his hand. “Dance with me?” My heart skipped, then pounded a little too hard. I hesitated for only a breath before placing my hand in his. His fingers closed around mine, firm but gentle, and he led me toward the center of the floor. My heels clicked softly against the marble, but everything else faded as the music wrapped around us. He pulled me in slowly, one hand resting at the small of my back, the other holding mine lightly. The warmth of his palm through the fabric of my dress felt like a brand, his thumb grazing in slow circles. I placed my free hand lightly against his chest, trying to ignore the solid heat of him beneath the fine fabric. We began to mov

Chapter 24: Morning Heat I woke up to the sound of quiet breathing and the faintest glow of morning pressing through the penthouse windows. Dominic’s arm was draped across my waist, his bare chest warm against my back, steady and solid like an anchor. For a long moment, I didn’t move. I just breathed. Because leaving this bed meant facing everything—what we did, what I felt, what I still didn’t understand. And I didn’t know if I was ready for that. Eventually, I eased his arm off me gently and slid out from beneath the sheets. He didn’t stir. I padded across the dark hardwood floor and slipped into the bathroom. The shower hissed to life, steam curling into the air. I stepped beneath the stream, the water hitting my skin with a sting that felt cleansing and cruel all at once. I leaned my forehead against the cool tile, letting the heat wash over me. My body still ached from him. My lips still tingled. My thighs trembled at the memory. But it was the way he looked at me that h

Chapter 26: Running Out of Time I paced my tiny living room, the eviction notice crumpled in my hand. My mind spun with panic and confusion. There was no way this was right. No way this was fair. I dialed Kayla with trembling fingers. She picked up on the first ring. “Hey, babe. What’s up?” The second I heard her voice, the dam broke. “I got an eviction notice,” I blurted out, my voice high and tight. “Two weeks. I have two weeks, Kayla.” “What?!” she yelped. “Girl, slow down. What are you talking about?” I inhaled sharply. “It was taped to my door. No warning. Nothing.” “That’s illegal, Nay. You need to talk to your building manager.” “Already on it,” I said grimly. After hanging up, I headed straight downstairs, ignoring the twisting anxiety in my gut. The super, Mr. Castor, was usually gruff but fair. If anyone knew what the hell was going on, it would be him. I found him fiddling with the boilers in the basement. “Mr. Castor?” I called. He looked up, wipi

Chapter 28: New Territory(Nayla’s POV)The moving truck rumbled to a stop in front of the building, its engine sputtering before cutting off completely. I exhaled slowly, staring up at the towering structure that housed Dominic’s penthouse. The last time I’d stood on this sidewalk, I was shaking, bloodied, and barely breathing after the rogue attack. Everything then had been chaos—sirens, panic, adrenaline. But now?Now it was intentional. This time, I was choosing to be here. Choosing to move in.Temporarily, I reminded myself for the hundredth time.Sloan was already waiting outside, leaned against a black SUV like he belonged in a fashion editorial. Sunglasses on, a smirk curving his mouth.Kayla groaned when she spotted him. “Look who decided to grace us with his presence.”He tilted his head, unbothered. “Figured you’d need someone to keep things interesting.”“We’ve got Alec for that,” she shot back, jerking her thumb toward the truck, where Alec was already halfway down the ra