บททั้งหมดของ Marked by fate: บทที่ 381 - บทที่ 390

Lincoln's POVI watch as Queen Sophie and Princess Lottie fuss and squabble with each other and Tobias. I watch him surrounded by familiar love in a way I have never known, and I cannot help the sharp pang of jealousy and sadness that twists through my chest.The only person who ever loved me like that was my mother. She used to fuss over me in that same effortless way, straightening my collar, smoothing my hair, telling me I looked too serious for a boy my age while sneaking extra food onto my plate.It has been seven years since she died, but so much has happened over the last four that it feels like much longer. I wonder what she would think of the way I am running Shadow Pack, or the fact that I am apparently in love with my friend’s mate.The pain of that thought catches me in the chest all over again.Tobias is mated to Zahra.I mean, it makes sense. The fact that they were bringing her scent to Thor to help him recover should have made it obvious. I keep kicking myself for not

Lincoln's POVI find a pair of navy dress trousers, a white shirt, and a slightly lighter blue blazer. They’re nice. The quality is exquisite, and everything fits surprisingly well.I wonder if these are Tobias’s old clothes.I pull on my brown Oxfords and head back into the living room.Tobias isn’t out yet, though he moves slower these days.“So,” I ask the others as Marcus tops up my glass, “how much do I need to dread this thing?”“A lot,” Marcus replies. “She and her family are a fucking…”He’s cut off by a loud bang as the front door is flung open and a shout echoes through the apartment.I drop my glass and spin immediately, instinct taking over as I fall into a defensive position beside Marcus and the others. Together we form a wall in front of the bedroom corridor. In front of Tobias’s location.Then confusion hits me when I realise it’s Alice, Aiden’s sister.Her auburn curls bounce wildly as she nearly sprints into the room, her deep green satin dress hitched up to her knee

Aiden's POVJames, Dad and the others head out before us. If this is going to be believable, it needs to look as natural as possible. The guards are explainable, but all of us arriving en-masse is not.'Everything okay, darling? Your emotions are all over the place,' Jasmine asks through our link.'I’ll explain later. Where are you now?''We’re down in the orangery having a drink. All us girls are. We were expecting you lot about ten minutes ago.''We’re on our way. Some last-minute Council business came up, but we’re coming now.''Good, because the terrible threesome are out in force, and I’m going to need you to stop me screaming in this woman’s face, or just ripping it off entirely.'I snort at her violent words.Goddess, I love this woman.'No face-ripping tonight, my love. See you in seconds.'Jasper, Marcus and I fall into formation around Tobias, with Lincoln at his side. Henry, Dustin and the other two guards flank us, but they hang back slightly so it looks like his normal pr

Zahra's POVI push myself faster, my legs pounding, my breathing deepening, as the roar of my blood fills my ears. I’m still not fast enough. My lungs burn too quickly, my muscles ache too soon, and the version of me who used to move like this without thinking feels painfully far away.The Task Force warriors they don’t think I know about are keeping up far too easily. I scoff to myself. I still can’t believe they think I don’t know they’re there. What sort of warrior would I be if I didn’t notice men trailing me wherever I go?Or maybe it’s just after… everything.No. Not everything.After I was kidnapped and tortured for months.Dr Garland keeps telling me off for minimising the gravity of what happened. Apparently, that isn’t healthy. Owning my experiences is necessary for healing, or some bullshit like that.Zanthe gives a sleepy, irritated grunt in the back of my mind, but she doesn’t wake properly.I push harder, even though my thighs are starting to tremble and each breath scrap

Zahra's POVMy chest tightens painfully as I watch him sprawled on his back in the middle of my bed scrolling through his phone.“Morning, baby,” he says with a smile, his beautiful green eyes sweeping over my running gear and sweat-soaked appearance. “Good run?”I nod.“Have you eaten?” he asks, sniffing the air slightly.“Yeah. Lacy was already here when I got back.”I sit down on the edge of the bed as he places his phone back on the bedside table.“What time are you training this morning?” I ask.“Not until after lunch. We’ve got a teleconference with Yellowstone this morning, then I’ve got a session with Dr Garland.” He studies me for a second. “You going now?”I nod.But I don’t move towards the shower.For one horrible second, I nearly pretend everything is fine. Pretend I’m just tired. Pretend I’m not about to hurt him.“Max…” I start quietly, unable to meet his eyes.He rolls closer, his eyes turning serious. “What is it?”He shifts so he’s propped up on one elbow.“I think w