Page 52 of Fated
The vibration of his phone startled him so violently he nearly fell from the chair. Dread spiked as he pulled it from his pocket. He hesitated before picking it up, dread pooling like lead in his stomach as he read the text.
DAD
Ava is awake. She’s asking to speak with you. Finish this and then go fix things with Lena.
Kai exhaled shakily, running a hand through his disheveled hair, fingers catching on the tangles. His father’s message felt like both a directive and a lifeline—a chance to take the first step toward repairing the damage he’d done. He forced himself tostand, muscles screaming in protest after hours of stillness, legs nearly giving out beneath him.
After a quick shower that did nothing to wash away the shame or the persistent ache in his chest, Kai packed his things. The mundane task centered him just enough to keep the rising panic at bay even though his coordination faltered, requiring multiple attempts to zip his bag. When he finally stepped out of his suite, his heart pounded with every step toward his father’s room. Blood rushed in his ears, a roar that drowned everything else.
The tension in the room was suffocating, pressing against Kai’s chest until he could barely breathe. Ava sat perched on the edge of the sofa, arms wrapped tightly around herself, tear-streaked face hardened with anger. Near the window, Elias stood with his back partially turned, one hand braced on the windowsill as he stared out at the distant forest. The gamma-heir’s posture was stiff, his stormy blue eyes shadowed with unspoken emotion.
Kai stood just inside the doorway, pulse racing as he took in the scene. A cold sweat broke out across his skin as Ava’s head snapped up the moment he set his bag down, red-rimmed eyes locking onto him with a fury that sent guilt barreling into him like a battering ram. The force of it nearly drove him to his knees.
She stood, movements sharp, posture defensive. “Well?” The word cracked like a whip across the room. “What the fuck is going on, Kai?”
He felt an invisible hand crushing his windpipe, acidic bile scorching the back of his tongue as she threw her hands up, pacing in jagged steps.
“I heard you found your mate. That you’d been spending time together at the summit—not that you had the balls to tell me yourself.” Her voice rose with each word, pain pouring out unchecked. “In all your texts and calls, not once did you mention how our lives were about to change forever!”
She spun toward him, anger radiating off her in waves. “And after all the gossip, I expected bad news when your father summoned me here out of the blue…but last night?” Her voice broke. Tears welled in her eyes as she stopped pacing and charged at him.
Kai’s stomach lurched.
“You held me.” She pushed at his shoulders, movements jerky. Each touch burned like brands against his skin.
“You kissed me.” Another shove, harder this time, making him stumble back.
“You fingered me.” Her voice cracked, another shove that had him gasping for air.
“You were about to fuck me on the hood of your car, but then your psycho mate attacked me and you just fucking left me there! You went afterher!”
Kai swallowed hard, overwhelmed by shame that made his body sway. Perspiration slid between his shoulder blades, chilling his spine as his hands flexed uselessly at his sides. His mouth opened and closed several times as he tried to find the words, tongue feeling thick and clumsy.
“Ava, I—” Words stuck in his throat. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t prepared to see you—didn’t even know Dad had sent for you. When you kissed me…” Another wave of nausea rolled through him. “I wasn’t prepared for how it would feel. I—”
He broke off, voice shaking as he ran a trembling hand through his hair. “I got carried away. Giving in to your kiss, letting things escalate, touching you like that...almost—” Hegulped, acid burning his throat. He couldn’t bring himself to finish that sentence.
“It shouldn’t have happened,” he finished, voice barely a whisper.
Ava stepped back, arms dropping to her sides as stared him down. Her voice was quieter now but no less furious. “So that’s it? Seven years, Kai, and you were just going to break up with me and what, go play house with your new girlfriend?” Her lip curled in disgust. “Oh, I am sorry, not your girlfriend—yourfated. Girlfriends don’t matter.”
“It’s not that simple.” Kai’s voice broke. His fingers curled into his palms, nails breaking skin. “It’s not just a choice between you and her. If I reject her, I’ll lose everything—my title, my pack. My father will banish me.”
Ava’s eyes narrowed, and she resumed pacing, steps growing more frantic. Kai’s head spun as he tried to track her movement. “So, what? You’re going to pickherbecause of politics? Because it’s easier?”
Kai shook his head, voice rising with each word. “No! I’m trying to do what’s right for everyone—for the pack, for Lena, for you.” He stumbled forward a step, the room tilting dangerously beneath his feet. “I’ve loved you for years, Ava. Do you honestly think I want to hurt you? My heart is breaking, too!”
She froze mid-step, breathing ragged as she faced him again. “Where does that leave us then? Are you going to throw me away? Just like that?”
Kai struggled to speak the truth he needed to tell her. “The bond, Ava… I can’t describe it. How intense the pull is. How strongly I feel. I need to go to Moonshadow, to get to know her. I owe it to Lena, to you, and to myself to sort out my feelings. Otherwise, it won’t matter what decision I make.”
“No.” She shook her head. “You’remine… Youpromisedme a life, Kai,” Ava declared, voice filled with indignation. “She has toshare. She may have a piece of your soul, butI’myour heart.I’myour luna. Your forever.”
The floor and ceiling traded places as black spots danced across Kai’s vision. He gripped the arm of the chair, trying to anchor himself to something.
Ava’s voice softened, growing desperate as she stepped closer. Her perfume overwhelmed him, making his stomach roll. “I don’t think I can survive losing you.” Tears streamed down her face. “What we have. What we’ve built. It’s worth fighting for.”
Her words collided with echoes of Caleb’s advice.“Selene’s will is sacred, but I believe she values love just as much as destiny.”
