Page 7 of Understanding Fate

“Ghost! Are you ok? What the hell happened? Ghost!”

“I’m fine, City, just made a wrong turn.”

I can see she isn’t buying it, but she doesn’t push, and I proceed back onto the deserted side street. I check for her bodyguard, and find he isn’t behind us.

“Am I allowed to ask where you're taking me?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Well, seeing as you registered for your hotel under your name, I would bet a handful of assassins, mercenaries, enforcers, and lone wolves are hoping to cash in with you. You’llbe safer at my hotel.” I meet her eyes again. “No one knows I’m here.”

Chapter 3

Bri

Why do I feel like I’m cheating on him?

As I enter the lavish hotel, I try my best not to appreciate how warm it is. The contrast to the air outside is noticeable and almost makes me feel human again. The floor-to-ceiling windows show the blanketed cityscape beautifully.

When Ghost revealed that Sebastian wasn’t who I thought he was, it took everything I had to not physically retreat into myself. The cold seeped in and took root.

I can’t do anything right.

What the hell was I thinking? ‘Sure, person I’ve never met. I will get into your car without asking for any credentials or checking with anyone to see if you are the right person.’

I’m a fucking idiot.

The sound of the door closing behind me pulls my attention.

“Sorry about the sleeping arrangements. I thought it was just going to be me,” he says with a smile that shows how much this amuses him.

Sleeping arrangements?

I turn back toward the room and take in the king bed for the first time.

Mother. Fucker.

“No. Nope. Not doing this. Take me to my hotel. They can kidnap me.”

“Awww, you slept with… what was it you called me? Snowball? Just fine.” His smile is infuriating, and I have to hold back the urge to hit his perfectly square jaw.

“IfIremember correctly, I sent you to the corner. On the floor. By yourself!” I spit back at him.

His laugh is surprising, and it catches me off guard.

“Don’t worry, City. I’m perfectly fine on the floor. I’d hate to ruin anything with your ‘almost, sort of, kind of, a little bit, not anymore boyfriend,’” he chuckles, coupling the words with air quotes as he walks his bag to the opposite side of the room.

I fight the very tempting and very mature instinct to stick my tongue out at his retreating back. Instead, I huff out a sigh and move my bag, which was left sitting by the door, over to the bed and fling myself onto it. Making a point to moan audibly at how comfortable it is.

Enjoy the floor, Snowball.

“Careful, City. My bite is definitely worse than my bark,” he follows the comment with a whispered ‘woof’ and a lifted eyebrow.

“Yeah, well, I wish we could just get it over with. A bite might actually be the only thing that fixes all of this. Know any Alpha’s in the area?” I joke, killing the light mood as I scoot myself back to lean against the headboard. Part of my value to Deacon is his need to take something away from Dante’s pack. Awakening me would be a power play, making it hard for Dante to claim me as part of his pack.

Claim… like I’m property.

Ghost freezes, his shoulders tensing before he speaks without turning around, all humor gone from his tone.

“Be careful what you wish for, City. Sometimes those wishes get granted, but not in the way you want.”

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