Page 45 of The Fate of Eternity

Feeling a little more at ease, we leave the fae building and hurry over to the dining hall. I’m eager to see her with my own two eyes just to be sure. My steps falter when I walk through the double doors, the smell of bacon in the air, and there’s no sight of Flora or Arlo.

My muscles tense, apprehension coiling through my body as I scan the room twice to no avail.

“Let’s sit down and we can strategize, okay?” Brody murmurs, stepping up to my side before guiding me toward the center table.

I can feel eyes on us, but there doesn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary. The weirdest thing is my wolf senses are going into overdrive from all the noise. I’m sure I can hear thepeople chewing their food five tables away, and it’s not a good vibe.

Dropping into my usual seat between Raiden and Kryll, Brody takes the seat across from me with Cassian right beside him, but the noticeable absence of Flora and Arlo makes my gut twist.

“Maybe she was in Arlo’s room? They should be here soon,” Kryll states, squeezing my thigh in support, and I nod in agreement.

“You’re right. I’m definitely overthinking it,” I mutter as food is brought to the table.

“Maybe, but nothing is a surprise around here anymore,” Raiden adds, reigniting my concern as he tucks into his food casually, like he didn’t add to my distress with his statement.

Fuck.

“Eat, Princess. You need the energy. If they don’t show, we can hunt them down later, but I’m sure it’s nothing,” Kryll whispers, offering another reassuring squeeze before he digs into his food.

I stare at the stack of pancakes and bacon smothered in syrup and sigh. The niggle in the back of my mind leaves me with no desire to eat, but he’s right, food is fuel, and I’m going to need it to get through the day.

The first bite is difficult, my stomach twisting in protest, but by the fifth mouthful of deliciousness, my concern calms enough to let me proceed. The moment I lift my fork to my lips with the last bite attached, my wolf senses perk up, and I know with raw certainty that the footsteps, which are getting louder, are heading our way. But more than that, I know exactly who they belong to.

I turn to my left just in time to see her palms slam on the table beside Raiden. Anger blazes in her eyes, and even though they’re not aimed at me, I know the rage isforme.

“Is it true?” Each word is snapped through bared teeth as she narrows her eyes on the man beside me—the same man who doesn’t even bother to look in her direction as he continues to eat.

“Is what true?” He sounds even more bored than he looks. That doesn’t hide the fact that she’s garnering attention like always, and all eyes in the dining hall are now turned our way.

Vallie’s bullshit, in the grand scheme of things, is nothing compared to what else we may face, but she has such a way of getting under my skin that it’s impossible to ignore.

“That you’re fucking a half-breed.”

My eyes bulge out of my head as my wolf rears to the surface. Fury consumes every inch of me, rendering me volatile as I slice my gaze to hers.

Despite my inner turmoil and the impending threat of my bones cracking because my wolf is ready to slay, Raiden sighs, completely unfazed.

“You’re here for some drama, Vallie, and I’m not about it. So, fuck off.” He finally glances at her and sighs the last part, but she’s not done.

Far from it.

“No, Raiden. I demand an explanation,” she insists, standing tall and folding her arms over her chest as she flicks a sneer my way before refocusing on the man she still thinks she deserves.

“You deserve nothing,” he replies calmly, turning back to his food, which only serves to piss her off, and she’s reaching for his arm in the next moment.

“How can you say that? I love you, and you’re fucking some half-bred whore,” she growls, and I’m up on my feet, lurching through the air in her direction.

I’m ready to slaughter her.

I’m ready to be done with her incessant bullshit.

I’m ready to bathe my claws in her blood.

Much to my wolf’s dismay, hands catch me around my waist, pulling me back before I can make any kind of contact. Black ink peeks out from the sleeves of the man holding me hostage, confirming it’s Kryll, but that doesn’t stop my wolf from bucking in his grasp.

“Let me down. Now,” I growl, my nostrils flaring as my chest heaves with every breath.

“Look at her. Such a fucking mess. Get a rein on her,” Vallie says with a snort, causing me to try to rush her again, but Kryll’s hold only tightens.

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