All Chapters of Marked by fate: Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

Edwardo's POVSilence follows. This isn’t how the Task Force usually works and every man in this room knows it. We prefer distance. Clean lines. Fast hits and cleaner exits. Not long-term insertion and bait.Grady shifts in his chair, gaze dropping to the table. He isn’t arguing, but I can see the calculations running through his mind. Blake is staring straight at me, forehead furrowed in that way he has when he’s turning a plan over and looking for the holes.“The Task Force has never operated like this before,” Erikson says at last, his voice measured. “We observe and gather intel. We don’t insert sleepers. It’s too risky. Too many unknowns. Our warriors are too valuable to throw into that kind of mess.”He’s right on every count.“Our warriors are the best trained in the kingdom,” I reply. “That’s exactly why we’re the best suited for a mission like this. Just because we haven’t done it before doesn’t mean we can’t adapt now.”I let my gaze move slowly around the table, meeting eac

Zahra's POVHaving said they weren’t going to put me through interrogation training again, they totally put me through it again. The only difference this time is I’m not restrained or waterboarded, and I have to “consent” every single fucking time.Zanthe and I spend the whole time working on one thing: not shifting. She understands the stakes, and our bond is solid enough that we don’t argue. The lack of resistance helps. She has no reason to push against me, no reason to explode out of my skin and take over. We stay in sync. Just.It’s been a tough couple of days and not much of it has been fun. Yesterday they worked me until eight in the evening; by the time they released me, I could barely summon the energy to eat and crawl into bed. I missed out on seeing Max, but we messaged before I passed out, and again briefly this morning.Today has been more of the same. Relentless drills. Scenario after scenario. Every emotion spike, every fear response, another test.When I come back into

Tobias's POVI feel much more settled after training. Xander, Max, Brant and even Lincoln all gave me a solid workout. I’m impressed with the progress Lincoln and his unit have made. They’re definitely on a par with the others now. It’s an impressive improvement in three years. I need to talk to Lincoln and my father about when the best time for him to challenge his own father for the pack might be. I think he’s hoping he can finish his studies at AC before taking over, but now that he’s ready, he should be prepared at all times.I head back to my apartment with Zahra on my mind, as usual. She’s all I think about these days. What’s she doing? What’s she thinking? Does her leg still hurt? Is she eating enough? How’s her training going? Aiden said the course has been uneventful, so I’m assuming that with her bone density issue they’re making her take it easy. I wonder when she’ll go back to Blood Moon. I wonder how I’m supposed to start winning her back. How do I even start talking to he

Zahra's POVDinner last night was weird. I felt like I was under a microscope the whole time. But the strangest part wasn’t everyone staring, it was the way Tobias standing up for me made me feel. After everything, after the way he stormed into the pool party trying to have me pulled off the course, I’d just assumed he was against me being there. Then he defended me. He even sounded proud I’d completed it. I’m so fucking confused.Because instead of being angry, it made me feel warm and safe again, the way I always used to feel around him. I didn’t think when I saw Thor rising and his anger taking hold. I just reached out and put my hand on his. It was instinct, pure reflex, but it worked. He calmed down immediately, and the feeling of touching him again… yeah. Just so fucking confusing.Alice didn’t say another word to me for the rest of the night, but Lotty, Kayla, Jasmine, Emily and Yara were all great fun. I really like the new mates. I can see why the moon goddess paired them wit

Zahra's POVHalfway along, I notice a small side passage I’ve never paid attention to before. Edwardo turns down it without comment and stops at a door at the end.He knocks once, then pushes it open into a small studio.There’s a reclining chair in the centre of the room, a tray of equipment beside it, and artwork covering the walls. By the window sits a small, wiry-haired woman with glasses, a sketchbook balanced on her knee. Her arms and hands are completely covered in tattoos. I stare despite myself.They are beautiful. An intricate network of runes and tribal symbols twines over her skin, layered and seamless. Her right hand is so detailed it almost looks like a black lace glove. I wonder how long it took to get it done.“Private Larkin, this is Sage, our tattoo artist.”“Hi,” I say, giving her a small nod.“Sage, Private Larkin is our newest recruit. Her tattoo needs to be discreet, please, but otherwise proceed as usual.” Edwardo gives me a brief nod, Sage a small smile, and th