Page 3 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

He chuckled softly as he nodded for me to follow him. He pushed open the wooden gate, holding it open for me. I slipped past him, brushing dust from my black dress. He walked next to me, and I could feel his gaze, but I was too nervous to look up.

I didn’t realize the mating bond would snap so suddenly, that he would want to spend time with me immediately. Not that I was complaining. I was desperate to learn everything I could about him.

When we walked into the house, I was pleasantly surprised by how bright and homey the space was. It was bigger on the inside than it appeared from the street. The comforting feeling of this home was unlike anything I had experienced before. Mine and Mikel’s home was nice and large but not comforting in the same way this was.

I followed along as he walked through a sitting room and toward the sound of clanking dishes. I froze. This was his parents’ home. We weren’t going to be alone. He stopped and looked back at me.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just realized that there will be others.”

“There is no reason to be worried. My parents are the nicest fae you will ever meet.”

It wasn’t them being mean I was worried about—it was me embarrassing myself.

“Won't they think it's odd that you're bringing home a stranger?”

“Yes, but not for the reason you think,” he said with a chuckle.

He reached for my hand, causing a warmth to spread through me. I glanced up at him.

“It'll be alright,” he said, smiling gently.

I nodded, and he didn’t drop my hand; he only squeezed it tightly in his and tugged me along with him. When we entered the next room, there was a mid-sized dining table next to a spacious kitchen. His parents had their backs toward us.

They were talking softly before they both laughed loudly at whatever joke they shared between themselves. His father was tall like him, and his mother was small and petite beside him. Her dark hair tumbled down her back in tight curls. His father must have heard us because he turned, and I could not believe how much they looked alike. His dark blonde hair matched my mate's, but he had dark brown eyes. He looked between the two of us, and then our hands connected. His wife seemed to notice his silence and turned to see what he was staring at. Her pretty, stormy blue eyes stared at both of us. Her mouth fell open before shutting quickly, like this was the last thing she expected.

Gods, did they know he was seeing that blonde woman? I dropped my hand quickly from his. I didn’t want them to thinkI was a mistress or something. My face was burning with worry. Did they like his girlfriend? I had not seen her come here, but that didn’t mean they didn’t know about her.

“Haden, you brought a guest.” His mom smiled brightly.

Haden. I had not heard his name yet. Him and the blonde woman just called each other baby or sweetheart. Shit, I was jealous now that I talked with him. I was upset that he had kissed that woman and told her he loved her. Betrayal was pumping through me. He shouldn't have desired anyone else but me. I wasn’t getting any of his firsts, and he would get all of mine.

“This is Ardella. Can she join us tonight?”

His parents practically ran over to us and smiled brightly.

“Of course,” his mom gushed. “I am Penelope, and this is my husband, Henry.” She hesitated when I put out my hand to shake hers, instead stepping forward and pulling me to her for a tight hug. “We are a hugging family.” She smiled, and Henry laughed when I looked terrified.

“Gosh, you are so pretty,” she cooed, and I felt my face heat even more.

“Mother, you’re scaring her,” Haden said.

“I’m sorry, we just thought you would never bring someone home to meet us.” She beamed, and Henry pulled her away from us and back to the kitchen with an apologetic look. I looked at Haden, and he smiled. His hand came to rest on my lower back as he led me to the dining table. He pulled out the chair for me, and I sat down. Haden slid into the seat next to me, and his eyes softened at my terrified expression. Is this how all families are?

“You look like you might bolt,” he laughed. “My mother has waited for this moment since I was old enough to date. Let’s not disappoint her,” he challenged me.

My throat tightened.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have brought me then. Shouldn’t you want to save this for someone special? You don’t know me at all.”

“Something tells me that you will be very special, Ardella,” he said as he picked up his drink and sipped it. Gods, his mating bond must be going crazy to want me this close already.

“Your parents seem wonderful.” I changed the topic. “You are lucky.”

He glanced over at me and grinned before looking into the kitchen to see his parents spying on us. They quickly pretended to be busy so it wasn't obvious they were watching. I looked back at Haden.

“So, you’ve never brought a girl home? What about girlfriends?” I wondered if he would tell me about the blonde woman he said he loved only an hour ago.

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