Page 118 of Savage Fate

Finally, I scooted closer and curled against him. Part of me screamed at how wrong this was, while the other wanted to give in and enjoy it.

HowcouldI enjoy it? This wasn’t Fane. This wasn’t my mate.

My brain pretended it was Fane, and my eyelids drifted closed.

But I couldn’t wish for him too much. His incorporeal form could accidentally be drawn here, and I didn’t want him to see me lying with another man.

The tattoo on my neck crackled as if it knew the wrong person was holding me.

Saint wrapped his arms around me and massaged circles on my back. “Just relax, Tate. I promise you’ll feel better afterward.”

My muscles eventually loosened, and I melted into him, letting his healing power work its magic. If we did this for long enough, those side effects might vanish for good.

Fat chance. I’d never be that lucky. I might be stuck with them forever.

Not until you take me back, Tate. Come find me. I promise it’ll be worth it.

I let Saint’s heartbeat distract me from the Infernal Sol’s taunting voice.

Layla,Saint’s fifteen-year-old sister, glared at me across the kitchen island as I sipped a mug of hot chocolate Enid made. I’d also inhaled a massive steak, a baked potato, and marinated broccoli that didn’t have that weird broccoli taste. It was the most food I’d eaten in weeks.

I was feeling almost normal. Of course, my anxiety was beginning to rear its ugly head.

Fane better get here soon.

“You’re nothing special.” Her mouth curved into a snarl as she folded her arms. “I don’t see what all the fuss is.”

I snorted on a laugh. “I’m not special. I just pissed fate off.”

The young shifter was taller than me and pointed that out the moment we crossed paths. Her long hair was as black as Saint’s, and her eyes were the same mystical silver, like moonlight on a clear night.

“My brother deserves someone way better than you.”

“Layla!” Saint entered the kitchen after his shower, damp hair combed away from his handsome face. “Don’t be rude.”

She shrugged. “I’m only being honest.”

He came to her side of the island and leaned toward her. “You’re being a brat. Tate hasn’t done anything wrong. Things like this happen, and it’s no one’s fault.”

Her bottom lip stuck out. “She should reject that other guy and pick you. You’re way better than him.”

“I’m really sorry I was picked for your brother, Layla,” I said, blowing on the hot chocolate. “Fane and I have gone through a lot, and even if we hadn’t already claimed each other, we wouldn’t be able to simply walk away.”

She scoffed. “But he has a fated mate, too, right? Why can’t he be with her and you be with Saint? It’s a win-win.”

Saint groaned and grabbed a mug from a cabinet. “It’s not a win-win.”

“Marissa is a hateful piece of work who hurt him plenty and tried to kill me.” I twisted the long red strands away from my face, choking back a growl. “And she has her own mate, even though he left her because she’s so horrible.”

Layla drummed her fingers on the counter and scrunched her nose. “Well, maybe you could just?—”

“Layla, enough.” Saint poured himself a cup of coffee before turning to his sister. “Tate and I will never be mates, but I’ll find someone else.”

Her nostrils flared as she seethed at me. “Why are you here, then? You’re breaking my brother’s heart. If you won’t be with him, leave him alone.”

Guilt churned in my gut, and my gaze lowered to the dark countertop. I never wanted to hurt Saint, but being around me couldn’t be easy. To make matters worse, he was putting himself through this pain to heal me.

“Apologize, Layla.” A faint wave of alpha power pulsed out of Saint. “I’m your brother, but I’m also your alpha, and I don’t condone disrespecting a guest of our pack.”

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