Page 12 of Villainous Fate

Slowly, almost tentatively, she crosses the area and sits down on her side of the bed. With a shaky exhale, she picks up the small red velvet box and sets it on her lap. I almost start to speak, to rattle off that it isn’t a big deal or that she didn’t have to like it, so to stop myself, I cross the room and start the song on the record player.

It’s one of my favorites. Elvis Presley is a classic, and I’ve always been drawn to his style, even if it is a bit before my time. Grace says I’m an old soul, and that’s why I like him, but she also once told me his music now makes her think of me.

Tonight’s song has a deeper meaning: "Can’t help falling in love” fills the room, and as the words begin to play, she opens the box.

“I love you, Grace Davidson,” I announce when her eyes meet mine. “You probably already knew that,” I say as I walk toward her, “but I’ve never said the words out loud, and I need you to know you’re it for me. I may only be sixteen, but I know with absolute certainty that my heart belongs to you.”

The music continues to croon in the background as she sits silently, staring from the box to me and back with an expression I can’t decipher flashing across her face. More tears fall, and I stand holding my breath, waiting for the response that will change everything.

….Take my whole life, too.

Chapter 7

Grace

Two years ago

I’mspeechless…

Every part of my heart beats out of rhythm, and I can’t find the words. I know he loves me. This display isn’t a new reality but rather solidifying an old one. I knew he loved me before it was the kind of love we have now. He loved me as his friend, and then that love shifted to something more for both of us, but hearing the words fall from his mouth, seeing this tree house, hearing this song.

I can’t… breathe.

My eyes flash back to the shiny silver band seated beautifully on a satin cushion. It is made up of what appear to be tiny vines encircling small wolves with tiny blue diamonds connecting the pieces, which look almost lifelike.

It’s stunning.

My vision blurs again as more tears come, and I wipe at them in an attempt to clear my view. Deacon kneels in front of me, his eyes searching mine, looking for answers as my brain fails to provide the words.

God, I wish we had mind-link abilities in human form.

“Promise me forever, Tails. Give me your heart.”

Deacon’s eyes plead with me as his thumb slides across my cheek, wiping away the stream of tears.

“I can’t,” I whisper, barely able to form the words. His jaw clenches and his fire-flecked brown eyes drop to my lap, confusion evident in his expression. Before he can pull it away, I grab his hand, holding it to my face, soaking in its warmth before continuing. “I gave it to you a long time ago.”

His eyes flip back to mine in surprise, and what I can only describe as relief before he smiles one of his genuine ‘lights up his face’ smiles.

“I love you too, Deacon Marlo. I always have, and I always will.”

Then he kissed me. Slow. Intimate. Soul unifying.

That night, we stayed in the treehouse for the first time together, and along with everything else I had given him, my past, my future, and my heart, I gave him the only thing I left to give—my body.

***

Present

Waking up with him today feels like that night.

Hopeful, desperate, and intense in a way I can’t even put into words. Our love had only solidified over the last two years, and now, Deacon was taking the steps we needed to be free. Our friendship started all those years ago with an escape plan; in eight months, we will finally be able to see that plan through.

This retreat was Deacon’s chance to prove himself among the other Alphas and to find a pack that would take us in when we broke ties with the Northern Nevada Pack. We spent many nights in the treehouse listening to his Elvis Presley records and discussing where we wanted to live.

I didn’t want to go anywhere in Florida. Between the swamps and the alligators, it was a hard no for me. Not to mention that Amato’s pack was firmly allied with my father.

No, thank you.

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