All Chapters of Marked by fate: Chapter 391 - Chapter 400

Zahra's POVWhen I leave the house Dr Garland has been given while she’s here helping us all, I feel lighter than I have in months.We did something new today called EMDR, alongside the CBT we’ve been focused on. I had to hold one of the traumatic memories in my mind while following a rapidly moving dot on the screen and listening to low-toned sounds. It sounds ridiculous, and honestly, it felt ridiculous at first, but somehow it helped me touch a memory without being dragged all the way back inside it.After just one session, I feel like I’ve actually made progress today. Usually, I leave therapy feeling exhausted and disheartened, but this is different.I almost don’t trust it.Dr Garland moved out here from the capital because this time, enough of us need support that it makes more sense than endless conference calls. I hadn’t realised she wasn’t based locally. Three years ago, when she worked with me, I assumed she was from Blood Moon or another nearby pack, but it turns out she c

Zahra's POVVivien has me stand back up, then pulls out a dress. It’s silvery grey, with beading decorating the bodice in an intricate lace pattern. The gems reflect the light beautifully. It’s pretty, with a fitted bodice and small spaghetti straps, but a full skirt of tulle and lace falls from the waist.while it’s not a marshmallow, It’s actually stunning, but still too much for me.Vivien holds it up, and I already know it isn’t right.“I love the beading and the colour…” Abby trails off.“But the skirt’s not you,” Alison finishes for her.Relief floods me.There are so many fucking dresses on this rack. I haven’t even tried any on yet, and Vivien has already held up so many. Silver, gold, emerald, deep red, blue and black.A few I’ve liked, but most of them I haven’t.Vivien’s been splitting them onto two racks as she goes, and I’m not entirely sure which rack means what, though one is considerably fuller than the other.After what feels like an age, she finally claps her hands t

Zahra's POVI move my dishes to the dishwasher, thanking Lacy as I do, then put my laptop back on charge in the living room before heading out towards the training centre.Zanthe stirs back towards consciousness as I walk.The birds in the trees are loud this morning, the breeze dry and warm against my skin, and I feel a strange sense of peace settle over me.I’m not alone. Of course, I’m not. My shadows are still there in the trees. The warriors trailing me still think they’re subtle.But this is the calmest I’ve felt in my own company since I was taken.The training grounds aren’t too busy when I arrive. I spot Austin and head towards him, but I’m halfway there when a tingling sensation runs down my spine.Zanthe pivots sharply in my head, turning towards the feeling before I consciously register it myself.The wind blows my hair back from my face, and I know.Despite the lack of scent, I know Xander has arrived.I turn, and he’s walking over from the parking lot.What the fuck?How

Xander's POVI briefly wonder if he’s thinking about it too, but then I shut that thought down fast. I’m sure he’s not. He doesn’t think about me like that anymore, not since he’s been with Zahra. And now I’m fairly sure he’s heartbroken over her.I can’t imagine what he’s going to be like when he realises, she’s mated to Tobias.Fuck.I’ll need to make sure I’m nearby after the tattoo is deactivated on the eighteenth. Tobias will still be around, as they’re staying for a few days. I’ll need to speak to Mum about how best to orchestrate their first meeting afterwards, to ensure we can control the situation as much as possible and minimise the fallout for Max.Our pace slows considerably as we near the end of the loop. I’m exhausted, my breathing coming hard now and my legs feeling numb. I don’t remember the last time I did such an intense run for this distance. Possibly camp last year? But with work and AC, we’ve focused more on strength and hand-to-hand combat, and less on endurance.

Xander's POVIt’s one p.m. when we finally pull up in front of the Yellowstone pack house.There are people and warriors everywhere.Thankfully, security looks tight.There are six packs attending this summit, along with the council. If there was an attack, it could have a significant impact on the stability of the entire western edge of the kingdom.We wait for the others beside the cars before heading in as a force. I’m not expecting difficulties, and everyone knows who we are, but a few of the packs have newer leadership units, and showing our dominance to unknown entities is always a good idea.We approach the doors as a united unit of seven, Max and I side by side with our units behind us.Alpha Digby and his Luna are standing just inside the front doors greeting arrivals.“Xander, Max,” he calls with a smile. “Glad you could make it. This is my mate and Luna, Niki.”He introduces his mate. She’s quite small, with straight chestnut-brown hair and big brown eyes. Her features are