All Chapters of Fated by fate: When love meets fear: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

It had been four weeks since that explosive encounter, and while the sting of our argument still lingered, I had learned to navigate my emotions a bit better. I focused on the positives — my newfound friendships and conquering my anxiety while walking through the crowded hallways filled with scrutinizing eyes. Though many make snarky remarks with sinister whispers, labeling me as an outsider and a poor omega, Leilani has always had my back. I had also grown closer to Zane and his group of friends, a development Leilani initially disapproved of. But over time, we both realized that they weren’t as bad as the rumors suggested. Sure, they were temperamental and a little stuck-up, but they were surprisingly carefree and kind, welcoming us into their circle with open arms.Yet, I could sense the tension brewing in Ace. With his refusal to address our issues as mature adults, he resorted to other methods to make it clear he hated it. At first, it started with glacial glares and passing ins

The boat chugged to a halt, bobbing on the gentle waves, about two hundred meters before the shoreline. I squinted against the bright sunlight, taking in the scene before me. The island stretched out like a lush emerald gem surrounded by the deep blue of the ocean.Palm trees swayed in the gentle breeze as mountains rose behind, their peaks crowned with trees and thick underbush.It gave me a sense of freedom and relief that I'd be out of Lester's range. Out here, there’s no way he could infiltrate it. It may be an island, but it’s basically in the middle of nowhere. But it’s not impossible. He had shown me that the impossible is very much possible, somehow sneaking past security and onto campus, even sending a photo of me in the auditorium. So, who’s to say that creep wouldn’t follow me here? Everyone would think that he was an obsessive ex-boyfriend and not my father if they saw my phone. Goosebumps rapidly formed on my arms as a shiver skated down my spine. My mind in confusion-ov

His sudden demand to sleep in the same den as me caught me by surprise. I was about to question him, my mouth opening to voice my disbelief, until I realized the look on his face. One that dared me to challenge him so he could string me along. But, I didn't give him the satisfaction. Instead, I busied myself with the coconuts. Not taking his words seriously.By the time I cracked open the last coconut, the sun hung low, casting long shadows across the beach. My arms ached as my fingers grew raw from peeling and smashing husks against the sharp rock I had found.Ace hadn’t said anything since earlier. He just sat there with his arms crossed, radiating heat that had nothing to do with the sun. Not that I cared. It was peaceful with his trap shut, allowing me to work in peace. The crunch of sand under heavy boots pulled my attention from the coconuts I’d been stacking. I brushed my palms against my pants as four unfamiliar figures emerged from the treeline—clearly, the rest of our team.

The fire that had crackled and popped eventually simmered down to a quiet pulse of orange and red. Setiray sat with her arms crossed, and her legs tucked up against her chest. I bet she regrets not bringing a hoodie or something right now. She’d barely said a word since we settled in, but her jaw set like she was trying to chew through whatever thoughts were scraping at her skull. I could practically hear the gears turning from here. Her chin was slightly tilted, like she wasn’t watching me from the corner of her eye. But, she was. And not in an admiration I like, more of a “patiently waiting for this assh*le to leave already”. “You like your den?” I asked casually, popping one of the berries the guys had gathered earlier into my mouth. “It’s spacious and really cozy. I might even have to sleep there tonight.”Her head turned so quickly that it almost gave me whiplash. “Huh? Wait, never mind that. Why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be with your little friends around the corner i

I didn’t dare breathe, not properly. Not with the heat of his touch seeping into my skin, seeping in like lava. Or how his featherlight touches sent jolts through my nerves and shivers through my body. I was slowly losing focus, barely remembering what had come before this. What was I overthinking about again…?His palm slid higher—slowly—skimming the underside of my ribs, his fingers dragging along my skin like he was memorizing it. My jaw clenched, refusing to allow him the satisfaction of a reaction. Ace moved like a man who already knew the effect he had on me.Every inch of him radiated confidence. Not the fake, performative kind, but something deeper. Like a promise written in a different language and spoken only through muscle and heat.“Breathe,” he murmured into the back of my neck. His voice grew lower, roughened by restraint and a sliver of amusement. “If you keep clenching like that, bug…I’m going to think you want me to lose control.”His hand continued to explore my body