Page 74 of This Fate That Guides Us
“What changed?”
“I learned a very hard truth after their show in Philly. You know Nebula had an older sister? An omega who was rejectedby her Fated mate and wound up taking her own life a few months later?” He nods slowly trying to work out where our conversation is leading. “My brother, Ben, is the alpha who rejected her.”
“Shit.” He draws the word out. “That’s one complicated level of fucked up.”
I don’t say anything more. He knows the truth now so he can see the path I’m working so hard to avoid.
“As much as I hate to be the bad guy in this conversation, you have to tell them,” Lex startles me when he finally speaks again several moments later. I thought our conversation was over. “Firstly, they deserve to know the truth so they can decide for themselves where they want to go from here. Secondly, because of the potential risk of an identity leak. If the Montgomery’s know you’ve been living as Omen Powell, there is a very real possibility they could publicly out you in an effort to try to get you to run. Would you really rather Pack Graves find out from the news instead of hearing it from you?”
My mouth opens and closes several times as I stare at him. I hadn’t even considered the guys could find out from someone else. “I… Shit. I don’t want that. If they have to find out, it should be from me.” I sink back against the couch cushions in defeat. “I guess I should text them and ask to talk after their show at the festival on Saturday.”
I’m not ready. Something Lex and I both know, but I no longer have a choice. Whether I like it or not, I have to accept the hand Fate dealt me and tell my mates the truth.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
NOW PLAYING: SAYThat You Will- Sleep Token
Sitting in the passenger seat of Lex’s car, my knee bounces. I’m nervous. Tonight, the lake near the Powell’s house is holding a belated Fourth of July celebration after they were rained out last weekend. I hadn’t wanted to come, but Lex pretty much bullied me into it. It isn’t fair for me to push away the only real family I’ve ever had. Especially not Bea.
Pulling up to their massive white-paneled and black-shuttered farmhouse, my anxiety grows. They’re going to ask questions I’m not ready to answer yet. Bea may already have suspicions about why I have been melting down in my nest for the past several days. I can’t voice the truth. Not when I’m barely managing to hold myself together with all of these wounds marring my heart.
“Hey, kid,” Phoenix grunts when he sees me climb the steps to their porch. He’s filling a large cooler with ice and I spy a selection of beers and sodas beside him to fill the inside. “You good?” I nod slowly. It isn’t a lie, not really. I’m managing and that’s as close to ‘good’ as I believe I will be for a while. “They’re out back.”
Offering my surrogate father a half smile, I step inside the house. Lex stays outside speaking in low, clipped sentences with Phoenix. Probably updating him on the condition he found me in. Stupid meddling alphas. If they all know how fucked up I have been lately, they’ll be up my ass for months. They don’t need to spend their time worrying about me.
Fighting back a sigh, I cross the open floor living room and kitchen to the double doors leading to their back patio. The sun is low in the sky, casting the world in ethereal shades of pink, purple, and orange. The light reflects off the surface of the lake in the distance, the colors broken by the wake of passing boats. It’s so serene here. Like a little piece of heaven carved into the earth.
A small fire pit glows at the far edge of the patio where the rest of the Powell pack is sitting. I’m unsurprised to find Ridley with them. If Lex has been assigned to me full-time, I imagine he’s under the same instruction as Bea’s bodyguard. Just in case my birth family decides to target her for being friends and roommates with me. I’m glad he will have her back. She doesn’t deserve to be in danger because of me.
Watching them talk and laugh, I feel out of place. Much like I did when I first left New Hampshire and started to build new roots in their family.
Tiptoeing down the stairs, my heart skips a beat when one of the steps creaks beneath my weight. I hold my breath waiting for someone to appear and scold me for being noisy. Several minutes pass and the hallway remains empty.
Silently catching my breath, I continue to wander around the giant house. It feels so homey with cute, welcoming decor. Pictures of Shelby and her family can be found in almost every room. I feel like an alien visiting a foreign world with how different this place is from the house I grew up in. You can practically feel the love this pack shares.
The kitchen is empty, much like the rest of the house. My stomach growls loudly, making me jump. I clamp my arms over my middle to muffle the sound. My breath saws in and out as I try to remind myself I’m safe here. The Powells aren’t my parents. They won’t punish me for being hungry.
When I calm down, I shake out my tense limbs. Looking around the pristine kitchen, I realize I don’t even know where anything is. I should probably find someone and ask for permission to eat…
Laughter carries through an open window, the sound coming from the backyard. On the same breeze, I can smell the mouthwatering scent of something being grilled. I quietly cross to the large windows and peer around the edge to look outside. Shelby and two of her mates sit around their in-ground pool while their omega daughter Bea swings her feet in the water.
The biggest and scariest of the Powells, Phoenix, stands at a flat top grill off to the side. He carefully flips whatever he is cooking before glancing back at his family. The love in his eyes sends pangs of longing and sadness through my heart.
Watching the five of them, I feel even more like an outsider. I don’t belong here in their world. My education is based on anti-designation lies and religious conjecture. How am I supposed to be of value to their pack when I can barely function in this overwhelming world?
So lost in my own fears and self-doubts I don’t see Shelby’s mate Austin headed this way. The door opens a few feet away from me before I notice his presence. Apologies fall repeatedlyfrom my lips, but he just smiles. “Relax, take a deep breath.” I listen, matching my breathing to the exaggerated rise and fall of his chest. “There you go. Do you feel better?” I nod. “Good! I was actually coming inside to see if you felt up to joining us for dinner. I know we can be a bit much when you aren’t used to the chaos, so it’s okay if you aren’t comfortable with that yet.”
“Um, I–“ I pause, unsure of how to respond. Will he be mad if I say I’d rather eat in here? Will I only be allowed to have food if I join them outside? What are the rules here?
“Okay. I can see the panic growing in your eyes, so how about this–let’s go out to the patio and you can make yourself a plate. Then you can decide if you want to stay or go.” Austin opens the outside door and extends an arm to lead me to his family.
Nerves eat at the lining of my stomach as I approach. My eyes dart from face to face before turning down to watch my feet. Having so much attention on me is terrifying.
“Here.” Shelby gently pushes a plate into my hands before offering me the empty chair next to her. I wait for several seconds while they pile food onto their plates before sitting on the edge of the wooden seat. My hands tremble around my plate watching them chat and pass dishes around.
“Mac and cheese?” Shelby asks, holding out a large dish overflowing with noodles. I force my limbs to steady as I serve myself a small portion and offer it back. This process continues until my plate is filled and everyone begins eating.
Taking a small bite, flavor explodes across my tongue, This is magical! I dig in, quickly devouring everything on my plate. My heart wants more, but my stomach reminds me I’m not used to eating so much in one sitting. I would hate to throw all of this delicious food back up later.
