I sink the last of my tequila as Mum finishes pinning up the final curl on the bun at the top of my head. My hair’s half-up, half-down—curls falling from the bun as the rest of it cascades down my back. As usual, it looks perfect. Because Mum did it. Fiona handled my makeup.It’s simple. Just a little concealer, mascara, brow gel, and a subtle contour around my cheeks and jaw. They always make me feel like me—just an elevated, classier version.“You just look so perfect,” they whisper at the same time.They’ve done May and me in similar, but not identical, styles. We wear the same dress, but I’ve chosen black heels while she’s gone with bright green ones that match her emerald eyes.“Are we done? I’m out of booze, and I’m guessing I’ll need more if I have to sit through picture time,” I snap, still salty that everyone keeps making decisions about my life without actually asking me.“Yes, you may go. But you have fifteen minutes, then we’re taking photos!” Mum warns.I roll my eyes and

Last Updated : 2025-08-01

Tim soon catches up, whistling and shaking his head.“Damn, that was intense. You okay?” he asks.I roll my eyes, taking a swig from my bottle, not in the mood to talk. When he reaches for my hand, I snap it away, glaring at him.He hesitates, eyes narrowing slightly. “Yeah, but let’s make one thing crystal clear—we are friends. That’s all we ever will be.”He frowns, slowing his pace as May and Micky pass by, lost in their usual world of gossip.“Are they making you say that?” he snaps suddenly, eyes locking onto mine.I furrow my brows. “Excuse me? Who the hell are they?”“Your parents. That asshole, Caden.” He jerks his chin toward the packhouse.I growl and shove him in the chest, warning him.“Don’t call him that! Don’t even speak his fucking name without permission!”He rolls his eyes. “Is this a joke? You’re seriously standing there acting like he’s the better option? We all heard what he did to you, Baylee. We all know what he drove you to do!”The bile rises in my throat.Nob

Last Updated : 2025-08-01

Caden’s POVI can’t believe how she spoke to me. I’m honestly a little heartbroken. I hate what I’m doing to her—but I also can’t give in.“Are you actually shocked? After everything? She’s right!” Cain snaps, glaring at me.“How the hell is she right? She kicked us out!” I snap back, killing the bike engine and jumping off. I need to hit something, or I’m going on a killing spree—and there’s only one place I can do that without Dad killing me: the fight club.“She’s right because it’s true. You’re expecting her to hold hands, snuggle on the couch, and act like a couple—without actually being one. You’re hurting our mate because you’re scared, and I’m sick of it. Just get over yourself and be with her!”I roll my eyes and stretch, trying to push Cain’s words out of my head.The crowd parts as I approach. My aura’s out and there’s no dragging it back in—not until I calm down. But that’s not happening tonight. I feel like my world’s falling apart. I’m losing her, and I can’t do a damn t

Last Updated : 2025-08-01

It might not be the best pastime, but fighting for money had noticeably improved the warriors’ performance. As I arrive at the bar, I immediately notice the crowd is much larger than usual. They’re screaming, cheering someone on—and it’s not Caden. The energy is electric, chaotic.I jump off my bike and push through the bodies to get a better look. When I spot Ryan, I know instantly something’s wrong. He looks worried. I step up beside him, and then I see it—my heart nearly drops out of my chest.Caden is drenched in blood. His eyes are swollen shut, his lip is split, and he can barely stand. He stumbles around the ring, barely managing a straight line. Suddenly, the girl he’s fighting launches at him, kicks him in the chest, and sends him crashing to the concrete. His head slams against the ground with a sickening thud.Rage boils through me. I march forward, intent on stepping in, but Ryan catches my waist and yanks me back.“Don’t do it!” he hisses. “If you step in, they’ll challen

Last Updated : 2025-08-01

Caden spots me from across the field where he’s sparring with Ryan. The second he sees me, his whole face lights up with a grin—right before Ryan clocks him across the jaw, laughing as Caden drops like a turd in a toilet. Caden glares up at him, shakes it off, and bolts straight toward me.I glance at Dad, waiting for direction as Caden closes in. “Does he know yet?” I ask.Dad nods. “Yep. He was very excited to hear he could kill him.”“He is not killing him,” I snap, like a petulant child. “He’s mine to kill!”Dad snorts, shrugging one shoulder just as Caden reaches me and pulls me into a crushing bear hug.“I missed you,” he murmurs, stepping back. He lifts my chin so I’m looking at him and plants a kiss on my forehead.“Are you sure I can’t have a real kiss?” I pout.He smirks and runs his thumb along my bottom lip. “Maybe later.”I roll my eyes but pull him into another hug anyway, inhaling his intoxicating scent.“I missed you too. So… shall we do this?” I ask.Caden steps back,

Last Updated : 2025-08-01

As I open my eyes, I smile at the sight of a note resting on the pillow beside me. I grab it, unfolding the paper with sleepy fingers, and grin at the few short words scrawled across it:“Happy birthday Baylee Boo, I love you!— C xx”I press a kiss to the silly little note, clutching it to my chest. Just that thought—just him thinking of me first—makes my entire day brighter.Ailm stirs inside me, purring in delight, buzzing with pride that he wished us happy birthday first. She yawns, sniffs the air, and purrs louder, content to fall back asleep surrounded by his scent.“We better get up for presents,” I whisper, slipping out of bed quietly so I don’t wake Ryan and May. That’s the rule: no waking each other on birthdays. We’d made a pact as kids to avoid accidentally saying happy birthday first. It made perfect sense when we were ten, and somehow, we just never stopped.And who doesn’t want to be the center of attention on their birthday? Especially when the attention is coming from

Last Updated : 2025-08-01

All Chapters of Marked by Fate: Chapter 51 - Chapter 56

51

52

53

54

55

56