Sealed by Fate

ANNABETH

This is a nice change of attire. You are ravishing.”

I feel his fingertips tracing a pattern on my bare shoulder, and that action alone does something to me. Butterflies take flight in the pit of my abdomen.

His hot minty breath hits my skin, eliciting a shiver down my spine. His emerald eyes are a couple of shades darker, and I couldn’t even begin to describe the color.

I’ve never seen this shade before. It’s freaky yet hypnotizing, and I find myself falling deeper into them.

I finally pull away from his hold on me when he takes a strand of my plain brown hair and wraps it around his finger.

“You really have no idea how desirable you are. If I was the kind of guy who didn’t care about impressing you, I would find the nearest room and prove it to you.”

His baritone voice is deep and husky, and an unfamiliar feeling sets in my chest and spreads down my body. I don’t speak for fear of what my voice may sound like.

The air is thick with desire and tension.

He tightens his hold on my waist, and now I can’t get away even if I want to. He’s moving backward with me pressed up against his chest.

I look around and notice he is taking me to the other side of the cabin, away from everyone. My head says push him away, but my body is saying something else.

It wants him. Hell, who am I kidding? I want him too, but I can’t figure out why. I’ve never wanted or craved someone as much as this guy.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask with trepidation. Part of me is a little panicked about what he thinks I’m going to do and what could happen. I don’t know if I could tell him no.

“Just somewhere away from all the noise so we can talk,” he answers with a grin.

“You know that’s what every serial rapist and or killer would say, right?” I’m only half teasing. “You’re not going to have your way with me, then kill me, are you?”

I sound so stupid, but I really know nothing about this guy. I know he is sinfully hot, and he makes me want to do all kinds of wicked things.

He chuckles deeply, and oh Lord, there goes that funny feeling in my lower stomach again.

The corner of his mouth lifts into a semi-cocky grin, and he stares at me with his assiduous eyes. I can’t look away as everything else fades, leaving only him and me.

“No, Annabeth, I’m not going to kill you. You don’t know it yet, but you are very special. However, I understand your hesitation and fear. I promise I won’t bite unless you ask me to.”

That grin never leaves his mouth.

“I also promise I won’t ask you to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, but I so badly want to kiss you and do things I shouldn’t be allowed to do.

“I want to be with you if you would let me, but I don’t want to push you.”

I don’t know how to respond. “I…” I can’t get the words out; my tongue feels like it’s been reading that Dr. Seuss book, Fox in Socks. I’m tongue-tied.

“Annabeth, you have been in my head since I first laid eyes on you, and I will explain everything, but I cannot at this very moment. I have a feeling that I need to protect you. Okay?”

Now I’m confused, and I can guess that he isn’t being completely honest with me.

“Did Rick put you up to this, or do you have a death wish? Because if he catches you with me, he will kill you.

“I don’t want to see someone else get hurt because of me. I like you, Kierran, but you aren’t safe with me. I don’t need you to be my knight. I can take care of myself.”

I look down at my boots, and Kierran’s emerald gaze follows, then he takes a deep breath. He hooks his pointer finger, sets it under my chin, and urges me to focus my attention back on him.

“Annabeth, I don’t give a shit about Rick. I’m not afraid of him since I can take him. It’s you I’m worried about. You are so beautiful and maybe a bit naive.

“I don’t know what Rick’s endgame is or why he is obsessed with you, but I do know what he thinks when you are around. It’s nothing good.

“You don’t even realize the power you have over us. Annabeth, you can bring men to their knees, and Rick wants to snuff out that power and own you.

“So, when he’s around, I have this overwhelming urge to shield you.”

“I don’t know what to say, but like I said, I’m capable of protecting myself.”

My tone takes on a defensive edge because I don’t need another man to come in and start controlling what I do with my life because he’s worried about me or thinks he needs to protect me.

It’s infuriating.

“I know you can. Hell, I was just watching you in there telling that prick where to go, and I was in awe. Everyone else lets him do what he wants, but you called him out on his shit. You didn’t even look scared.”

“Oh, trust me, that was all a show. I was terrified of the repercussions. I still am.”

“Annabeth, if you will let me, I can keep you safe from him.”

I arch a brow. “How can you keep me safe when anyone else who comes in contact with me ends up in a coma?”

“Not everything is as it seems, but please don’t ask me to explain. It’s very complicated.” He runs his hand through his messy hair, leaving the front to fall in his eyes again.

Before I can stop myself, my fingers brush the hair away from his eyes. Just the feel of my skin on his sends a calming effect through my body.

It’s weird and a little unnerving, but I will admit it also feels nice.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you, Annabeth. You can trust me.” His eyes take on a hard edge, and his mouth forms a thin line.

His body is rigid, but he doesn’t let go of his hold on me. In fact, I feel him crush my body against his chest and bury his face in my neck.

I should be uncomfortable with this position, but I feel at ease. I breathe a sigh of complacency and lay my head on his shoulder.

We could have stayed here for hours, and I wouldn’t have cared, but he hesitatingly pulls away from our embrace.

He moves his hand and cups my cheek; his hand is calloused yet soft. Weird combination, I know. “I should take you home.”

Disappointment floods my body, and my heart sinks. I don’t want to be away from him and go home. Tessa wouldn’t leave, and I’m afraid to be alone, but I don’t want to come off as needy.

“Yeah, I guess so.” I don’t sound so convincing, and I’m sure he picks up on it.

“If you’d rather not go home, we can get something to eat. There is a nice little diner down the canyon.”

“Yeah, I would like that.”

He removes his arms from my waist and reaches for my hand. I take his hand without a second thought.

“I had to park my truck down by the lake, so it’s a bit of a walk. Is that okay?”

“That sounds like a great idea. The lake is beautiful this time of year.”

He flips around, so we are face-to-face, and it seems like he wants to say something, but anxiety and nervousness fill his eyes. “Annabeth, this is really important, but do you trust me?”

That was kind of a random thing to ask. Do I trust him when I hardly know him? “I’m not sure why but I do trust you,” I say honestly and can’t believe I said I trust him.

What is it about this guy that has me throwing out all logic and reasoning? I don’t do this kind of thing, and I don’t trust easily.

I have no time to go inside my head and figure out my questions because Kierran’s mouth is on mine. It is just a simple peck on the lips, but it makes me want more.

I pull away and sigh.

“I shouldn’t have done that, but I’m not sorry I did it.” The corner of his mouth lifts in a half-crooked smile, and I’ll be damned if I don’t want to melt into a puddle right there.

“I’m not sorry you did it either.” I giggle.

He reaches for my hand again, and we start our trek to his truck.

He pulls his phone out of his pocket and turns on his flashlight when we move to the side of the cabin, and I pull back when I see Rick standing right in front of me, wearing that smirk.

The one that fuels me full of hatred and anger, the smirk that brings out my violent side.

“She’s not going anywhere with you!”

Oh hell, here we go again. Will he ever give up?

Kierran grips my hand harder as his shoulders stiffen. Mistrust and suspicion wear on him, his focus glued to Rick.

“Oh, and why not?” His voice is strong and steady.

“She’s mine, and I want her back!” demands Rick.

Cold sweat breaks out on my skin, and my hands start to shake.

Kierran feels my rising panic attack without seeing it. He secures his hold on my hand and says calmly back to Rick, “It seems she doesn’t want to go to you.”

Rick starts to shift his body around, and that means trouble is brewing. He’s itching for a fight, and Kierran will be his next victim.

I try to pull my hand away, but he holds on. The only thing I can do is tell him to go.

“She doesn’t have a choice in the matter.”

“Everyone has a choice, douchebag. It’s called being human!”

“Kierran, he wants a fight and will kill you. Just go, please.”

Never taking his eyes off Rick, he says to me, “I’m not going anywhere, Annabeth. He can try but won’t succeed.”

The stubborn boy doesn’t understand. Rick is incredibly strong, and when he is in fight mode, he will not stop until his opponent is down.

“No, you don’t understand. I can’t let anything happen to you. Rick will not stop until you are dead because you’ve gotten too close to me, and now he is pissed. I can’t have your death on my conscience too.”

“Anna, his control of your life needs to stop. He needs to learn that he can’t go around beating everyone up because he’s on a power trip and thinks he owns you.”

“I agree, but not at the expense of your life.”

Kierran flashes a wicked smile. It’s one of those I-know-something-you-don’t-know kinds of smiles.

“You don’t need to worry about me, love. I’ve gotten into fights with much bigger beasts and walked away unscathed.”

“Um…what?” I’m at a loss for words. “I’m not sure what to say to that, but please just be careful.”

“I’m always careful when it comes to you and your safety.”

Always? Oh boy, now I’m even more confused.

“Come on, Anna. I don’t have all night to stand here and play these childish games with you.”

Rick is so demented if he thinks I’m going anywhere near him again.

“Go away, Rick. I’ve told you a million times WE ARE OVER! I’m not going anywhere with you. I would rather be suffocated than be with you again.”

Kierran glances over his shoulder, and concern is written all over him.

“Being with you the last few years was hell. You stifled me and made the real me hide.”

Without taking my eyes off Rick, I tell Kierran the truth.

“Going back to him is a death sentence. He will find some way to turn me back into what he wants, and that will kill me. I won’t go back to being that girl, Kierran.”

“I understand, Anna,” His focus is back on Rick. “The way I see it, pal, is you need to leave. Anna isn’t yours, and she doesn’t want to be with you.”

“You can’t keep her from me, dickhead! SHE IS MINE, and you won’t take her from me.”

“Well, I guess we have a problem then, man. She can’t be yours because she is meant for me.”

What the hell have I gotten myself into? I’m stunned and once again perplexed.

“She bears my mark… Go ahead and check. It’s the scar on her right breast.”

Oh, my Lord!

I knew Rick had something to do with this ugly scar, and this just confirms it…

Kierran and Rick both glance over and see me storming toward Rick. Kierran is fuming mad, and Rick is standing with his arms folded across his chest.

He’s still wearing that shit-eating grin, and all I want to do is kick his face in.

“What the hell did you do to me, Rick?” I scream. “What gave you the right to touch me? I don’t know what this entirely means, but I want you to stay away from me.

“Whatever this is does not mean I belong to you. I AM NOT YOURS! I will never be yours.

“You lost that chance when you cheated on me, then all those times you put your hands on me, and now this. I wish you were dead.”

Kierran’s anger is growing exponentially and at an increasing speed when I say Rick hit me. I can hear him grinding his teeth, and he kicks something, almost hitting Aiden in the shin.

Of course, Aiden doesn’t do anything. He just shrugs and eyes Kierran. Aiden is a good guy, and I hate to see him mixed up in all this shit.

Rick wants to fight Kierran, and it seems Kierran is in the mood for a fight as well. This is the last thing I need right now.

Rick’s laughter only fuels my anger into a boiling pot, ready to boil over.

“Whatever, sweetheart. You believe what you want, but that mark right there says you’re my property, and soon you will come back.”

I have had it; my anger is way past the boiling point. It is scorching, and he is about to get burned. I stomp over to him but feel myself being pulled back before I can reach him.

“Let me go!” I shout and fight back, but Kierran is much stronger.

“I can’t.” His voice sounds taut. “You’ll only get yourself hurt, and once he has you in his grasp, I can’t protect you.”

He lifts his head, stares head-on at Rick, and says, “If what you say is true, then you broke the rules. You don’t go around putting your mark on other guys’ mates. Especially my mate!

“Just because you bit her does not make her your mate. Not until you have completed whatever weird shit it is you wolves do, and you must get her to agree.

“Remember, buddy. You can’t take a mate by force. It just doesn’t work that way.”

Rick growls and preps for a fight.

Kierran pushes me behind him, and I watch as his body becomes tense.

He takes off his hoodie and hands it to me. It smells like him, and I’m cold, so I put it on, and a small smile paints his beautiful face.

OMG, he has the cutest dimples.

I shake my head of those thoughts and return to the drama unfolding in front of me.

Kierran’s legs are spread apart, so he can run if he needs to.

Rick and Kierran are in a staring match, waiting to see who’s going to attack first, but neither one is willing to budge, so they are stuck at a standstill.

“I don’t know why you think you had the right to mark her. You are not above the law of the accords!” Kierran yells. “We all have to follow the same rules whether we like it or not.”

“I don’t have to follow your stupid fucking rules. I’m my own alpha, a pack, and they follow my rules. What are your elders going to do to me if they find out?”

“You don’t want to know!” Kierran states. “But, I do invite you to find out.”

“Well, why don’t you go see her mark for yourself, and then we’ll discuss what to do next.” Rick remains calm, but I’m freaking out and trying to wrap my head around this whole mate thing.

Kierran pulls me in front of him. I start to panic, but he touches my face, and I’m instantly calm.

“I know you don’t want to show me, but please trust me. I need to see it so I can assess the damage and the situation we’re in.”

“I understand,” I lie because I don’t understand, but if I play along with him, the sooner I can go home and forget this ever happened.

I take off the hoodie, then I pull down my dress, exposing my right breast, showing him everything.

Once he sees the bite mark that covers my entire boob, his eyes turn blood red. I just play it off as my mind being so way beyond out of it.

The anger rolls off him in waves. He turns away from me, and I start to sob even more. He is disgusted and now wants nothing to do with me.

He must have heard my whimpering because he switches his body back around and is in front of me, pulling my dress back up. He draws me into him again and tells me not to cry.

“What does this mean?” I ask.

“It means… I’m going to have to kill him!”

Before I can respond, Kierran lifts me in his arms and runs through the woods. I hear howling and breaking branches.

I begin to wonder what I have gotten myself into, but I have a feeling I’m about to find out.