Page 130 of Fated

Chapter 31

Iwoke up in Ash’s enormous, soft bed, and as the memories of last night’s events flooded my mind, I quickly checked my wrist to ensure it hadn’t been a dream. But there, etched into my skin, was his name—Sebastian Augustine.

“Regretting your choice of tattoo?” Ash’s voice startled me. He had just walked in from the sitting room, fully dressed in the black and gray camouflage military uniform I had seen Xanth, Greyson, and Shae wear the day before.

I smiled, tracing the name on my wrist. “I was just making sure it wasn’t all a dream.”

“It would’ve been one hell of a dream.”

“The very best,” I replied, grinning. “Where have you been?”

“I went to see my mother early this morning. She and Xanth invited us to have breakfast with them. I also got the location of Calyx’s bike from Tessa—it’s been parked in the same spot for the last three days.”

I sat up, giving him my full attention. “Where is he?”

“The outpost.”

My heart dropped into my stomach at the mention of the outpost. The last time I had been there, I was barely holding it together, consumed with grief over my mother’s death.

I just nodded, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Ash walked over and sat next to me on the bed, handing me a neatly folded set of clothes. I picked up the top item to find a black long-sleeved top made from the same material as the one he was wearing. Beneath that, I found black and gray camouflage pants that matched his.

“If you’re up for it, I’d like to go after Calyx today, right after breakfast. It will be you, Xanth, Greyson, and me. Your only job is to stay safe inside the charger while we quickly extract him.

“Of course. Do you think he will come willingly?”

Ash shook his head. “Probably not.”

“Then what will you do?”

“I’ll do whatever I have to do, even if it means knocking his ass out and dragging him to the charger.” His tone was serious, devoid of any humor.

I hesitated before asking, “Will Shae be joining us?” I dropped my gaze and picked at my fingernails.

“No, Xanth only brought her yesterday because she was with Tessa when the alert came in.”

I nodded, slightly relieved.

“You’re not worried about Shae, are you?” he asked, tilting his head. “Are you still questioning the way I feel about you?”

I met his gaze and gave him a small smile. “No, of course not. I just … don’t think she likes me very much.”

He scrunched his face. “Why would you think that?”

I hesitated for a moment. “It might have been the way she was waiting for me in the restroom yesterday, just to let me know I wasn’t good enough for you—and to tell me how perfectly suited she is for you.” I chewed on my lip and shifted my eyes away.

Ash’s eyes bulged, and he shot up from the bed. “She did what?” He started pacing, fists clenched. “I’m going to talk to her right now.”

“No.” I grabbed his arm, pulling him back. “It’s fine. I handled it.”

He stopped, looking down at me. “She was out of line, Areya.”

“I know. That’s why I told her she had three hundred years to win your heart and to get used to me, because I’m not going anywhere.”

Ash’s expression softened, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

He sat back down, his eyes trailing over my lips before leaning in to kiss me, but I quickly threw my hand over my mouth.

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