Page 84 of Fate Awakened

Setting my spine, I smile at her, knowing she heard my emotional upheaval earlier and that she can see the dark puffy circles beneath my eyes. It’s my life and my choice how I live it. I won’t allow anything to cause me to lose focus.

When she exits, I start my list. Every question I have about the last three weeks of my life, everyone involved, every conversation I had. I question it all: the murders, werewolves, the kidnapping, the war. I save my questions about Cain for the end, knowing deep down they’d hurt the most to bring to the surface. I allow the sting of that heartache to simmer as I stare at the three pages I created.

I want answers. I’m going to get answers.

After taking a few moments to compose myself, using the bathroom, washing my face, and finding my resolve, I call the nurse back into my room.

“Everything alright, Brielle?” she asks hesitantly, her eyes scanning me.

“Oh yes. I’m sorry to bother you, but I’d like to talk to Dante,” I say, trying to push confidence into my tone.

“To Dante…Right now?” she asks, confusion evident.

“Yes, please.”

“Well, I guess I could try him. He’s not usually up for a few more hours,” she rattles off, causing me to pause.

Shit, what time is it?

Her face pinches and her eyes glance up, and for a moment, I think she’s trying to devise an excuse not to let me speak with him. To my surprise, she looks back at me with a smile.

“He’s on his way.” She turns to start heading out the door when my mouth catches up.

“You can speak with your minds?!?” My voice almost squeaks the last word.

“Oh dear, I’m sorry. I forgot you're new to pack life. Yes, we can all speak to the Alpha with a mind-link. Strongly Mated couples can also mind-link,” she explains as if she’s telling me honey is good in tea or baking soda helps with stains.

“Of course. Thank you for the clarification,” I say, adding ‘mind-link’ to my list and filing that under WTF questions as she leaves me again to my thoughts.

Minutes later, there’s a gentle knock on my door.

“I can do this,” I whisper to myself before clearing my throat and adding, “Come in.”

The door opens, and Dante walks in, a relaxed confidence in his stride.

So, this is an Alpha.

He gestures to the chair against the wall, and I nod before he sits himself down.

“Helen said you wanted to speak with me,” he says. I note that his voice is neither hesitant nor irritated; instead, it radiates warmth and kindness.

“I have questions, and I would like you to answer them for me honestly,” I say before realizing in his position, people probably don’t make demands of him and add, “Please.”

“Are you sure you don’t want Cain to answer them?” he asks, his face giving nothing of his intention. Cain’s name feels like a knife to the chest, making me flinch involuntarily, and I attempt to mask the painful moment with a cough.

“Cain has lied to me enough,” I reply coolly once I’ve centered my breathing and fixed the walls around my heart.

He nods. I’m not sure what I expected, a rebuttal, an explanation, I don’t know, but his silence wasn’t it. When the moment drags on without further remark from him, I fidget with the pen in my hands.

“I’ll make you a deal,” he starts, causing me to brace myself for his terms. “I’ll answer every question you ask me. Wholly and honestly to the best of my ability,ifwhen we finish, you’ll allow Cain to do the same.” I recoil as he finishes. The idea of seeing Cain right now causes me to retreat in any way that I can. Shaking my head, I start to tell him no to the deal, but he lifts his hand, stopping me before I can begin.

“It doesn’t have to be today. I can understand how traumatic this has all been for you, and for my part in it, I am sorry. But I need you to know that I can’t answer all your questions; some only Cain can. If you’re anything like me, having anything unanswered will gnaw at you, so as long as you agree to speak with him, I’ll accept that the timeline for that will be your own. Do we have an understanding?” Dante asks, his fingers moving to pull on the end of his beard.

Talk to Cain.

Face Cain.

My timeline.

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