Page 12 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

"Well, let us know if you need any help." Mateo offered with a smug smile, like I couldn't handle this.

"I'll be fine; now fuck off." I didn't wait for them to disappear before I turned away and headed in the direction of a bigger problem I had. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure they left and weren't following me. Once I was sure I was safe, I hurried up the street, following the golden mating bond in my chest.

When I came up to her house, I hesitated. I had been to this house a dozen times, and it never elicited any sort of emotion within me. My mate was on the other side of this wall, and it did nothing but enrage me because it was not Della. Falling in lovewith Della was not part of the plan, but I did not care. I tilted my gaze to the stars and flipped them off with both hands.

"Fuck you for not letting me have Della as a mate." She was supposed to be mine. I was supposed to belong to her. Fates be damned, I was not keeping this bond with…

"Haden?" I looked at the door of the small home and saw Holden staring at me. He looked up in the sky before looking at me. "Is there a reason you are flipping off the sky—outside of Sara's home?"

Sara walked up next to him, and my eyes immediately fell to the bond between us. Disgust filled me. I didn't find anything about her appealing. The stars did this to me because of who I am. They did not think I was worthy of a goddess as a mate. When I fucked with fate all those years ago, I did not think the stars would intervene so drastically. They could have let me have Della. I would make her happy. But my bond was with my brother's girlfriend.

Sara's friendly face did not show any recognition that I was supposed to be the one she loved, and thank the stars for that.

"Oh, I was just getting out some frustrations." It was technically the truth.

Holden's gaze looked over me before he frowned.

"You're void; are you upset about something?" he asked.

"No, I am just feeling overwhelmed about Della." Also, not a complete lie. "I didn't even realize I walked here; I was just trying to clear my mind with a walk."

Holden stepped forward and watched me closely.

"Are you sure? I am here if you need to talk. You haven't been void for quite a while."

"Yes. Don't worry about me. I promise I am fine. You two enjoy your night together; I'm headed home."

They both stared at me with concern, but I took off before they could ask me any more questions. I need to figure out howto sever this mating bond with Sara. She was not the woman I wanted, and the fates can fuck off if they think a bond will keep me from Della. Della was mine, and not even divine intervention would keep us apart.

Chapter 4

Della

Holden and Sara walked hand in hand down the busy street of their village as I watched unseen by anyone. I waited for jealousy and anger to take over, but nothing even remotely close to that happened. Sighing heavily, I tried to force an emotion out. They walked right past me without noticing. How could Haden see me when I was supposed to be invisible but my mate couldn't? This was stupid. I had been following him for a week, and being around him was doing nothing. If anything, it made me think about Haden more. I huffed out an irritated breath because I had no desire for this bond to snap into place with Holden.

Haden and Holden may be twins, but they were not the same. I liked how tall Haden was, and his hands were rough from working hard labor. Gods, and the way he smelled was heavenly. Fuck, I didn’t even care to learn anything about Holden as I watched him all week. I buried my face in my hands and groaned loudly.

“Why must I be so fucked in the head?” I snapped.

Soft laughter behind me startled me. I knew it was Haden before looking.

“What are you doing?” I turned quickly, and Haden was smiling at me. My eyes traveled over his dirty clothing. He was sweating slightly, as if he had been in the sun working all day. I swallowed hard at how perfect he looked before having to look away so I wasn't gawking inappropriately. He had seen me again when I should have been invisible. Shit, I was buzzing with excitement that he had found me. No, I needed to not let those thoughts happen. He was not my mate. But that kiss in the alleyway had felt so… right.

“Nothing.” I narrowed my eyes on Haden.

“I was worried you were going to disappear for good.” He frowned as he looked over at me. “It's been a week.”

“I was busy.” Guilt clawed at me when I saw just how disappointed he was.

He glanced over at me like he had missed me, then ran his hand through his sweaty hair.

“You look upset that I am here.” His brows furrowed. Instantly my fake anger dissipated. I really didn’t like him looking at me like that.

“Sorry, it’s been a strange week.” That was the truth. “I’m happy to see you.”

Haden smiled as he stepped closer, his scent hitting me.

“Oh yeah? Then why didn’t you come back sooner?”

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