Alle Kapitel von Marked by fate: Kapitel 451 – Kapitel 460

Zahra'a POVI do, in fact, shave everything, though I'm not sure I like the feeling of the extra exposure. I only cut myself once, and thankfully it's on my leg and not somewhere more sensitive.I can barely stop my hands shaking as I blow-dry my hair before straightening it.'Why are you nervous? He's your mate.''I know, but I've never done this before.''Neither had I. Well, not in this life anyway. All you have to do is follow your instincts.'I roll my eyes at her because I'm not convinced it's that easy.Once my hair is straight, I add a few soft curls to give it a little bounce before clipping the sides back into a half-up, half-down style. I don't love wearing it completely down because it always makes me feel more vulnerable somehow, probably because it would be a hindrance in a fight.Not that I'm expecting a fight tonight. But still, I’m more comfortable with it like this.I apply some light makeup: a pale nude eyeshadow, eyeliner, brow pencil, highlighter, and a nude rose

Zahra's POVA few minutes later, Marcus returns, accompanied by a woman I assume is our server.She's older than the hostess and wears her dark hair in a neat braid over one shoulder. More importantly, a clear mating mark is visible at her neck.The woman smiles warmly at both of us."Good evening. My name is Hannah, and I'll be looking after you tonight."Relief loosens something in my chest.Hannah doesn't spend a second staring at Tobias as she hands him a fresh menu. Instead, she addresses us both equally before asking if we'd like a few more minutes with the menus.My eyes drift to the mark on her neck.Tobias notices.A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.The sneaky bastard.He absolutely arranged this.Warmth spreads through me. He could have simply removed the hostess and left it at that, but instead he'd made sure the replacement was someone who wouldn't make me uncomfortable.The thought makes Zanthe preen.After the interesting start, our evening progresses well.We

Zahra's POVA hotel...He has brought us to a hotel.I balk at the entrance, the sign on the edge of the small horseshoe drive reading:The MoonstoneI know this place. It's Sebastian's dad's flagship hotel. He was starting the build when we were together, and it's meant to be the most sophisticated luxury hotel on the continent.Why are we at a hotel?Worry knots in my gut. Shit. Is this it? Has he brought me here so we can have some privacy? To mate me?Heat rushes through me despite the cool evening air, and my palms immediately start sweating.Tobias looks down at me, quirking an eyebrow."There's a really nice bar in here that's quiet, with good table service and a more discerning clientele," he says as he rubs circles over my hand.I can't sense anything else from him, so maybe I was just overreacting.'Ya think?'We bypass the lobby of the hotel and head straight into the bar.It's dark and moody, all mahogany panelling and thick carpets. It feels more like a gentleman's club t

Zahra's POVThe Kiss starts slow, gentle and reverent before turning scorching and frantic. His hands roam up my back and down to my waist while my fingers begin their own exploration, tentative at first as I slide them beneath his suit jacket. The muscles beneath his shirt are firm and warm. I trace the shape of his shoulders, the broad plane of his back, and the hard ridges of his abdomen.He breaks the kiss long enough to shrug off his jacket. It hits the floor with a soft rustle.My dress suddenly feels too tight, too warm, too much fabric between us."Can I...?"His fingers hover at the zipper at my back."Yes."The word comes out breathless.He draws the zipper down with excruciating slowness. The sound of it parting fills the quiet room as cool air kisses my skin through the lace of the bodysuit.I watch his face as he works the fabric down my body. His jaw feathers as he clenches it tightly, and his pupils have swallowed the amber of his irises.My dress pools at my feet.I st

Tobias's POVZahra's back rises and falls slowly as she sleeps. Her beautiful hair lies draped over her shoulders and across the pillow behind her. One hand is tucked beneath her cheek and chest, her knuckles resting against her chin, while her soft rosy lips remain relaxed in sleep. Every now and then, her eyes move beneath her lids as though she's dreaming.The sheets pool around her waist, but I can still make out the outline of her long legs beneath them, one stretched out and the other bent slightly to the side.Her back is on full display, the scars now pale pink and white compared to when I first saw them all those years ago, when they were still fresh and angry red. They criss-cross over her middle back like a lattice, the skin raised and puckered in several places. A few reach higher towards her shoulders, but most sit beneath her shoulder blades and above the curve of her ass.I long to kiss them, to run my hand over them, learning every line and memorising every inch.Knowi