Page 99 of Villainous Fate

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The next day, I work until two, but as soon as my shift ends, I hurry back to the packhouse to shower, change, and get to Grace’s. Deacon had called yesterday and asked me to make sure she had a nice dinner and didn’t spend the day alone. He planned a phone call later tonight to be able to talk to her, and he didn’t want her home sitting by the phone on her birthday.

“Thanks for keeping an eye on my girl, Cap.”

The memory of his words made me smile, and I mock-saluted the phone. Hanging out with Grace wasn’t a job he had to thank me for. Grace made this whole internship tolerable. Not to say Luca and some of the pack weren’t great, but walking on eggshells with Giovanni and trying to keep my Alpha in the loop without betraying Deacon's trust was a lot of moving parts. My time with Grace was always easy. If anything, she took some of that stress away.

I grab the book I bought her yesterday, now wrapped in newspaper comics because it was all I had to work with, and head for her house. Part of me wonders if Fran just bamboozled me by having me buy a book she couldn’t sell because it cost a literal fortune.

Maybe I’m a fool.

I’ll find out today when she opens it.

Turning the final left onto Grace’s street, I see her standing by her mailbox, nose in a book, as usual. What isn’t usual is the green dress she wears. The forest green garment is cinched at her waist and wrapped up her neck at the top, leaving her shoulders bare. Her hair is braided like a crown but falls in loose curls down her back.

I’d never seen her wear a dress.

It knocks the wind out of me, stopping me in my tracks as I take her in. She looks older in that moment—more mature, ready to take on the world as an adult.

Beautiful.

Shaking away the thought and the feeling that comes with it, I close the distance between us.

Hearing my approach, she glances up, her face breaking into a smile when she freezes.

I inhale, trapping in all of the air in a gasp as my wolf scrambles to the surface.

Mine.

Mate.

Grace’s eyes flash lightning blue, her wolf taking over at the same time as mine. Our two souls connecting as my heart snaps, unleashing an overwhelming wave of emotions that nearly brings me to my knees, the present falling from my hands.

She’s Mine.

Grace is my Fated Mate.

The joy I feel as I look at her combines effortlessly with the love I have been holding back. Every piece of friendship is a building block in the foundation of our relationship. The clarity of this moment is jarring, the feeling so deep in my bones it’s as if she's a part of my very DNA.

It’s always been Grace.

We stand there frozen in time, our wolves conversing without words, our souls reaching out for each other, hearts aligning in one purpose.

We found each other.

I see the exact moment she remembers him.

The whole painful moment plays out in slow motion as her eyes widen, pupils dilate, and fear takes over the expression of pure love she just held.

Deacon.

The thought of his name breaks the spell, and guilt rushes in. Only then can I overtake my wolf, forcing him back under control and pulling my eyes from Grace’s. It takes all my willpower to step back and turn away from her. Every fiber of my being wants the exact opposite.

My wolf fights me, wanting to claim her, hold her, own her right now.

Mine. Mate.

My fists clench, the physical representation of the strength it takes not to wrap her up in my arms and take away all of the pain I see in her eyes.

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