All Chapters of Marked by fate: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Xander's POVI stand staring into space, I’ve been in my walk-in for Goddess knows how long now, but I can’t seem to get my act together. Every time I start to think about what to pack for camp, my mind spaces out, and I’m back to staring at the Goddess damn carpet.I can’t help thinking about Zahra, and Max, but mostly Zahra. Last night was one of the best of my life, getting to sleep next to her, surrounded by her scent. Atlas and I were so relaxed. After the terror of the battle and then Zach’s injury, it was exactly what I needed. Then waking up with Max. Fuck, I had been so close to kissing him, but even that had felt less awkward than any interaction we’ve had in years. Even though it should have been so much worse.But now I have to pack. I have to somehow pack up and leave Zahra here after not seeing her for three fucking years. Not only that, but I have to leave my Beta in the hospital.It all just feels so wrong.I know Dad would speak to the King on my behalf if I asked him

Zahra's POVIt’s been a strange five days. On one hand, it’s wonderful to be home — to see everyone again and be back in the pack. I’ve trained hard with Greg and Austin, and even though they made us run the lake trail and swim again, it wasn’t as cold as it was three years ago. I even beat Henry by a full seven minutes. Good to know I’ve still got it. He refused to believe me when I told him that last time, the water was nearly ten degrees colder.I’ve spent some time with Sienna and Abby too — and with Daphne, Abby’s mum, at the diner. But they’ve both been busy with work, so I haven’t seen them as much as I’d have liked. Originally, I was meant to be home all summer, so they didn’t drop everything to see me every day this week. But now, this is all the time we get.We’ve been texting loads, though.Saying goodbye to the others was surprisingly difficult as well. Xander seemed really down about it, and Max was... weird. He came to my room before we left for the hospital and was acti

Zahra's POVHenry joins us a few minutes later.“Hi, ladies,” he says, his deep voice rumbling slightly as he drops down on the lounger beside me. When he stands to take off his shirt, I can’t help but look.I’ve seen Henry shirtless plenty of times around the pool at the academy. He’s strong, like most male wolves, and as an Elite warrior he’s incredibly well-built. He doesn’t have the sheer size of the Alpha wolves like Xander or Lucas, but he’s still an impressive specimen. He’s attractive too — I’ve often thought his smile, in particular, is rather distracting.“Do you have a mate, Henry?” Renee asks, smirking when she catches me checking him out. I flush.Henry settles on his lounger, getting comfortable. “No. I can’t find my mate while this is active,” he says, pointing to the tattoo on his shoulder.I’ve noticed it before — a black circle with a howling wolf’s head in the centre, and calligraphy looping around the inside rim. I frown at him.“What do you mean?”“This is the Tas

Zahra's POVZanthe stirs suddenly, sitting upright in my mind. I pause mid-step, my chest tightening with a strange warmth and a low thrumming I’ve never felt before.‘What’s that?’ I ask her, unsure why my pulse has picked up.She just shrugs, her energy restless but uncertain. ‘No idea.’We step into the grand hallway, panelled in rich oak. A large round table stands in the centre, crowned with an extravagant floral arrangement — birds of paradise and lush green leaves spilling over the edges. It’s impossible not to stare; it’s beautiful.Several doors lead off the main hall, and a sweeping staircase climbs to the upper floors. The air smells faintly of lemon polish and something older — power maybe, or history.Ahead of us, Edwardo and Anderson are waiting, shaking Henry’s hand.“Zahra,” Edwardo says as he strides forward. “Glad you made it. I’ll have someone take your things up to your room. We’re heading straight down to the training centre — the course is about to start.”Shit.

Zahra's POVCaptain Thompson presses his lips together at my interruption but doesn’t comment further.“Nathaniel Henry, Lieutenant,” Henry says beside me, his tone even as Thompson and the rest of the table continue to stare at me.“Tess Ward, Private,” says the girl at the end of the table, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.Silence falls again, thick enough to choke on, as our new commander continues to stare me down. I meet his gaze without flinching.“The purpose of this time,” he finally says, “is to engage and meditate with your wolves. I don’t expect many of you to be able to seamlessly pull off an integrated shift, but I want you to use this time to connect on a deeper level. You need to call your wolves forward and encourage them to blend with you as much as possible. We’re starting with a body transference—it’s easier than the mind melding.”He looks around the room, waiting for acknowledgment. “Give it a go now. Raise your hand when you think you’ve achiev