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Word Count: 2532

*Spoilers for Faye. Read at your own risk*

~Zayla

There's a moment of insecurity in Fate's eyes.

It's not very often that I can see any kind of overwhelming emotion when I look into Fate's eyes. Usually there's some kind of wall up, blocking me from seeing anything about him, but right now, I can see something that scares me. Want.

I've never actually seen want like this from a male with this level of power before. In fact, I've never see want from any male. So seeing this, from Fate of all people is terrifying.

Perhaps it's my denial. Fate doesn't want me. This is him getting in my head.

"I don't want anything," I breathe, fingers clenching around the curve of the bench I'm sitting on. "But for you to get out of my way, and let me go."

"You're lying," Fate notes.

His hands are firmly pressed against the bench on either side of me, trapping me in with his arms. I can tell he's willing to let me hop down and walk away if that's really what I wanted. I'm not exactly sure why I'm not moving. Part of me argues it's because I want to prove a point - make him move.

"Why would you know?" I question, although the answer is obvious.

"You're very transparent sometimes, Zayla. I can read you like an open book," he reminds me. Of course. That stone I was given was meant to conceal my emotions, to never actually work in the first place. It only proves that

"That's hardly fair."
"You're clearly trying to avoid this conversation," Fate murmurs, head tilting slightly. I watch the way those silken strands of blue hair brush across his forehead. "Tell me, what are you so afraid of?"

A lot. How could I get that into his head without feeling shame from it.

"I have a feeling that if I tell you I'm not afraid, you're just gonna use your creepy magic to prove me wrong," I say flatly, to which Fate smirks at, nodding his head accordingly. We are getting to know each other's habits already. That hurts to admit.

"You catch on quick," he replies.

I give him a flat look, leaning back against the wall. "If you're trying to turn me on, you're doing a hopeless job of it."

"So you want to be turned on?" he asks slyly, eyebrow raising

"I never said that."

"But you implied it."

We watch each other, not saying a single word more. I'm taking the time to configure a response, and I can't say it's easy. The moment I have an upper hand over him, he always manages to find a quick witted response in less than a second. One day, I'll leave him speechless, and I can't wait.

He reaches forward, ceasing my hands in his grip, gently pulling me forward. I don't intend to fall against his chest. When I attempt to lean back again, he keeps me there, holding my waist.

"Everytime you touch me, it feels like you're lying," I tell him.

A flutter of a frown graces his face. "Why's that?"

"Because you use your magic," I remind him, remembering what T said, and Fate validated. "Or you might be."

"Does this have to do with hiding the ability to reveal the mate bond?" he questions.

"Yes."

It's not that I exactly believe we are mates. No way. I'm sure he's had a mate in the past, considering he's as old as time itself. However, it's the idea of him keeping it from me, even if it is most probably not the case.

"You're so worried about it," Fate notices, making me clench my jaw. "I do have magic that can make you feel very good."

I made a stupid mistake saying it, but I couldn't help myself. "I don't believe you."

Fate pulls me closer, which almost didn't seem possible, until I was pressed against his chest, his head in the crook of my neck. His lips barely even touch my neck, and I feel a shiver of magic brush down my neck, my spine, and back up, making my toes curl, and my fingers grip his shirt.

I can feel him smile against my neck, before he places a single kiss that sends a rush of pleasure all across my body. I can feel heat instantly surface in my cheeks - a sign that it's working on me.

"Just tell me to stop if you don't want it anymore," Fate murmurs, breath against my neck causing shivers across my skin, "but you won't, because you know it feels too good."

"I hate you," I growl through gritted teeth, but I don't make any move to get away.

Explaining the amount of pleasure he can give me from a single kiss is near impossible. He doesn't stop either, kissing gently all the way up to under my ear, where he pauses. My entire body is on an edge, waiting for him to make another move, almost shaking from the magic that's gotten in my blood stream, heating my body.

"I know," he whispers in my ear, "so just consider it using me for your own personal pleasure."

"Goddamn you."

"Quiet. Just enjoy it," he breathes.

As much as I want to pull away for my own pride, not wanting him to think my body is completely at his mercy. But it is, and I can't deny that. He simply kisses across my neck, squeezing my waist as if I'm not already completely out of breath and clinging to his shoulders. I'm pushed up against him, wanting more, wanting him to kiss me, despite my aching jaw.

And then he does the absolute unthinkable. He pulls away.

"I think that's enough for today," he says, detaching me from his body. I'm completely breathless, slightly shaking, and my cheeks are stained the brightest red possible. And he pulled away from me. I can hardly believe it.

My jaw is slack as I watch him take a calm step backward, tucking his hands neatly behind his back. "Are you serious?"

"Sure," he says with a shrug. His single wink before he back out the door is enough to have me furious. "See you at dinner."

***

"Good morning."

I groan loudly, right into my pillow, just so Fate would know I don't appreciate him being in my room like this. It must be impossibly early in the morning, because my eyes struggle to open as I roll over. Fate leans against my doorframe, dressed impeccably as always, an expectant air surrounding him.

"What time is it?" I question, rubbing my eyes, making no move to get out of bed. My plan is to talk Fate all the way back outside. Hopefully he will topple into the water on his way back.

"Early," he replies, "we have places to be this morning."

"I don't like the sound of that," I mutter, pulling the covers up over myself, rolling over on my side so he would get the point that I'm going back to sleep.

After what he did yesterday, he put me in a bad mood.

"We are going back to the mortal lands. Thought that might tempt you," he tells me.

I can hear him walk into my room, feet pressing against the wood. Part of me wants to roll over and see what he's doing, but the other is defiant. It isn't under I hear him strip my curtain right back, that I realise exactly what he's doing. Sunlight dreams right into my room, blinding me.

Growling, I turn over and glare at him through weary eyes. Still, I'm curious about where he is taking me in the moral lands.

"Whereabouts?"

"Independence Pack," he replies.

I consider that for a moment. I know next to nothing about the Independance Pack. What I do know, is that it is run by a female Alpha named Faye, who was turned into an immortal a long while ago. Poor her.

"Seriously? Why there?" I question. What affiliation does Fate have with the Independence Pack? Last time I checked, the Independance Pack is a forest infested place with a small population. I can't imagine it being much of Fate's thing. Then again, I hardly now what Fate's thing.

"That's where my brother lives. I've decided I need to pay him a little visit," Fate tells me.

"T?" I question, before I loudly groan in contempt. "I think I would much rather stay here if I'm honest."

"This isn't up for debate, Zayla. You're coming with," Fate questioned, "You'll meet Alpha Faye too, T's mate. She's got some powers of her own."

My mouth opens, utterly surprised by this revelation. "She does?"

"Absolutely. She was turned into an immortal, but before hand, she had a good relationship with the Moon Goddess, who gave her a few powers," Fate explains. I barely know anything about the Moon Goddess. "If you're curious, then you'll have to come for see for yourself."

Fate walks to my dresser, opening it. I glare at him.

"Is that the only reason I need to be there? Seems pretty pointless if you ask me," I comment, still not emerging from my blankets.

"Well I didn't ask you," Fate says flatly, pulling a shirt out of the drawer, "you're coming. You could learn a lot of Faye, you know."

I roll my eyes, making sure he is looking at me when I do so. I may learn a lot, but it doesn't mean that I want to. If I'm being honest, I just don't want to have to be around T, or meet an Alpha. Even if my father was one.

"If that's all I'll be doing, count me out," I mutter.

Fate throws a shirt at me. "Like I said, this isn't up for debate, you're coming."

"Don't trust me here on my own?" I question, finally stepping foot out of the bed. It makes me nervous seeing Fate parade around my room with me lying in bed.

"I want to keep an eye on you," Fate tells me, before a sly smile graces his face, "and not because I don't trust you."

"Get a life."

I know I have no other choice but to go. Fate will either let me get changed and take me on my own time, or he will grab me straight out of bed, and we will be in the Independance Pack in the next second. I would much rather be ready to see an Alpha.

Fate seems to notice my sudden motivation. "Come on, let's go."

***

When we arrive, we land at the foot of a gate.

The Independance Pack. It's more vibrant than I ever expected, foreign plants growing everywhere around. I'm mesmerised, but only for a moment, as Fate easily pushed the wrought iron gate open, and steps inside.

"There's nothing very significant about this place, is there," Fate mutters, as I follow after him.

"It's lovely," I tell him, brushing his negativity off.  "I love nature. This is different to where I grew up."

When I look around, I see a magnificent estate. This must belong to Alpha Faye and T. It's beautiful and rather traditional looking. Everything about it. The gardens out front are the most eye catching though. Each flower ranges from bright to mellow, the scent wafting all the way down the driveway to us.

"Do you like where we live?" Fate asks, as I come up beside him.

I scrunch my face up. "Where you live."

He shoots me a look, not bothering to argue with me on this. So I think about it for a moment. This place he has created is better than I ever expected. I had assumed his home would be some fiery pit of burning hell, so when I saw that, it was a lovely surprise.

"I like the beach setting you've got going on. It's not what I'm used to," I tell him, as we get closer to the estate.

"Wouldn't have it any other way?"

"There's a million ways I would rather have it," I remind him.

This makes him quiet. He knows, despite the past few months we have spent together, that I would much rather be at home right now. Would I miss Fate if I left? I'm not sure. I highly doubt it, even after everything.

"I know," Fate says softly, but continues not to address it, "we're here."

"She has such a lovely place."

"She's built it up over the years," Fate explains to me, after we walk toward the main entrance, gravel crunching under our feet. "I don't think T is very keen on it."

"Why not?"

"I think he prefers her mind on him at all times," Fate tells me, much to my disgust, "he's such a possessive guy."

"I think it's cute. Even if T seems like a total jerk."

"To some, maybe. It's a tactic he uses to separate himself from people. Stops them from getting too close to him. That way, when he breaks their heart, it's doesn't hurt as much."

"That's kinda sad-" I say, before all of a sudden I'm cut off.

A loud clap resonates throughout the courtyard, making me jump. Of course, T walks over, looking as sly and irritating as usual. Perhaps it's him and Fate's natural ease at existence that bugs me so much.

"Well look who decided to show up," he says, smirk gracing his face.

"Apologies for not keeping to the schedule. Zayla here didn't want to come," Fate says, coming to a stop in front of his brother. We are late? I didn't even realise.

T's eyes move to mind. "Was it something I said?"

I just roll my eyes.

"Where's Faye?" Fate asks.

T tilts his head, looking vaguely surprised at this. "Didn't think you cared much for each other."

"We don't," Fate replies. This is news to me. "But while we are here, I thought Faye and Zayla might work together."

"I see," T muses, before he looks at me. "She's in her garden. As usual. Good luck."

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Hey guys!

I just want to let you know that I'm going to be making a life update video soon because I'm taking a gap year.

That means I'll be writing full time this entire year, working on publishing and what not.

And yes, I'll still be updating on Wattpad, Radish and Inkitt (:

~Midika 💜🐼