Page 65 of Wicked Fate

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Names hold power, and I’ve given enough of mine away. But you may call me what you like.”

“Stalker? Creeper?” I shot back, voice sharper than I intended. My hands trembled, but I didn’t lower my guard.

He tilted his head. “Fair. But I wasn’t following you. I was observing. There’s a difference.”

“And why, exactly, were you observing me?” I needed answers before I went insane.

His gaze shifted toward the house. Ryker’s frantic footsteps came toward us.

He focused on me once more, brows furrowed. “Did your father not tell you anything about me?”

I took a step back. “Myfather? You’re not making any sense.” What did Dad have to do with this man?

The man’s expression softened, almost regretful. “You were supposed to be told when you came of age.”

My pulse stumbled. “Toldwhat? And what does ‘come of age’ even mean?” I had no clue what this strange man’s definition of that would be.

“Told that your blood carries more than just wolf magic.” He took a careful step closer, his voice quieter now. “That you were never just one thing.”

My panic heightened, and Ryker reached me, tugging me behind him.

“What have you done to her?” he snarled.

“Nothing.” The strange man shrugged and rolled his wrists. “Just informing her of her heritage.”

“Bullshit.” My voice cracked, and I stepped to Ryker’s side for a clear view. “My father would’ve told me if—”

But then memories popped into my head. Different times when Dad had told me he needed to tell me something alone. Right before I was rejected and everything went to hell.

I staggered back, breath catching in my throat.

“I kept waiting for you to locate me, and when I was going to approach you for the first time, I saw you were withthem.” The strange man wrinkled his nose. “I could not believe that you would choose to join a pack full of violence, but for some reason, your magic still called to me. But after what I saw you do today—what you’ve done these past weeks while also changing the violent nature of your new pack—I realized we must meet.”

I don’t like this, Ember.Ryker’s concern and worry weighed on our bond.I think he’s messing with you.

Though I knew he had every reason to believe that, something inside me resonated with this man.I need to hear him out. I hope you understand.

Ryker took my hand and moved so close to me that our arms rubbed and the fated-mate bond flared between us.

“Why do I feel a connection to you?” I was tired of the vague answers and needed the truth. “Dad did tell me he needed to speak to me, but he died before he had the chance.”

The strange man’s eyes glistened, making his irises look even more otherworldly. “Ah, that makes sense. You are confused and have no clue what’s going on inside you.”

“Ever since Dad passed, a warm sort of magic has filled me. One that isn’t my wolf.” I’d thought it had to do with grief, but now I was certain it was whatever linked me to this man. “None of this makes sense.”

Ryker’s jaw twitched.

“My dear girl, of course it doesn’t.” The man frowned. “When your father passed, your dormant magic activated.”

The world tilted. “My what magic? And why did Dad dying turn something on inside me?”

“Many centuries ago, I fell in love with a human.” The strange man pressed his lips together and stared into the distance as if he’d gone back in time. “And then I returned to my realm without knowing she was pregnant until months later, when something yanked at me.”

With a dry snort, Ryker placed an arm around my waist and drew me even closer. “Realm? What are you fucking talking about? Are the vampires using you to mess with our minds?”

“Vampires have been vile creatures for many centuries.” Strange Man wrinkled his nose. “They’ve grown more courageous over the years.”

“What?” I felt like my brain wasn’t working anymore. Maybe with all the fighting and chaos, it had fallen out, and I wasn’t aware. “Your words have meaning, but they aren’t making sense put together.”

---