Escaping Fate Book 2
Auteur·e
C. Sweets
Lectures
103K
Chapitres
25
Homecoming
“Hurry up, Adira, we can’t afford to be late!” Lillith urges.
I’d completely forgotten about the pack campfire tonight, but my sister is already dressed and ready to go. I hastily throw on some clothes and do a quick job on my hair.
“Adira, you can’t possibly be thinking of going dressed like that!” she exclaims, rummaging through my closet for a more suitable outfit. “Josiah and Adrian won’t be pleased if we don’t look our best. We’re the alpha family, remember?”
I perch on the edge of my bed while she frantically searches through my dresser. There’s a knock at my door, and I quickly get up to find Kira standing there, looking as fake as ever.
She’s nothing more than a social climber, trying to win over both my brothers and Uncle Matt’s son—who’s also in line to be alpha.
Lillith emerges from my closet, tossing a new outfit my way, and glares at Kira. “What do you want, Kira?” she snaps, pulling me back into the room and pushing me into the bathroom to change.
I accidentally slam the door behind me as I hear my sister arguing with Kira. It’s amusing, considering they used to be best friends until Kira tried to seduce our eldest brother, Adrian, who’s next in line for alpha.
He’s due to take over in a few months but just returned from training, which is why we’re having the campfire—to welcome him home.
I quickly strip and examine the outfit Lillith handed me. It’s a golden body-hugging dress with thin spaghetti straps and a black hem. It fits me well but is a bit more revealing than I usually prefer.
I hear the door slam as I step out of the bathroom, adjusting my dress. I head to my closet and grab a black leather jacket for some coverage, and a pair of cute black heeled boots.
Sensing my discomfort, Lillith helps me with my jacket as she smiles at me and starts to do my hair.
“You look stunning,” she says, her eyes welling up with tears. “Our pack will be in awe of their beloved head tracker. We may not always see eye to eye, but I’m glad you’re my sister.”
I smile back at her, understanding her sentiment. Our mother was killed a few years ago while defending our pack. Our father tried to save her but failed. When she died, he took his own life, unable to live without her.
Lillith’s father is a despicable man. He’s a tyrannical coven leader, or so many say.
After our mother rejected him for his infidelity—while she was protecting the coven—he changed, letting the pain of losing her and the fact that his cousin became her true mate drive him mad.
I look in the mirror and see my dark blue hair slightly curled and my mom’s tiny diamond earrings. I smile, fighting back tears as I think of her. Lillith gives me a comforting squeeze and helps me up before leading me out the door.
***
We head to the campfire in the heart of the forest and find everyone chatting and dancing.
I approach Josiah, my second eldest brother, and give him a hug. I haven’t seen him in two weeks since he’s been away for beta training.
He’s incredibly tall, almost six foot six, with a muscular build and a tan complexion. His eyes are red and almond-shaped, and he has a square jaw with a hint of stubble. His hair is black and falls to his shoulders.
Most girls are drawn to him—or to Adrian, my other brother.
They look almost identical, except Adrian has heterochromatic eyes—one red, one purple. You’d think that Lillith, being one of the triplets, would share their features. But she’s quite different.
She has tan skin, freckles, blue eyes, and naturally light red, full rosebud lips. Her hair is a pale blonde and almost completely straight.
I look up at my brother, who chuckles at me because I can barely reach his chest now. I’m quite short, but not a runt. I’m only five foot five, which is unusual for wolves.
They’re not sure if it’s my royal vampire blood that makes me this small. My hybrid blood is a mystery, as wolves and vampires don’t usually mate.
But here we are, four hybrid children, each of us looking very different from the others.
I jump up and grab a branch above my brother’s head, pull myself up—making sure I stay covered—and sit in the tree, observing everyone.
“How have you been? How was training?” I ask him, my voice filled with excitement.
He gazes at me, a laugh bubbling up from his chest. “Why is it always work, work, work with you?” His chuckle is deep and resonant.
I shrug in response, my own laughter mingling with his as I watch Lil, lost in her own world of dance. I’m glad everyone’s having a good time, but I can’t help but miss Adrian. I hope he shows up soon.
“Have you heard from him?” Josiah queries, sipping from a red plastic cup as he surveys the crowd.
“No, I was hoping you might have,” I admit, a hint of worry creeping into my voice.
“So, I hear you’re going to be our new head tracker,” he says, a proud smile spreading across his face. It’s not common for a woman to hold such a position in our pack.
“Yeah, when you and Adrian step up, I will too. The current tracker wants to retire and spend time with his pups,” I explain, grinning at my brother. I lean back against the tree, watching as more people gather around the campfire.
We spend some time just chatting, until Josiah’s mate, Megan, joins us. They leave together to join the dance, and I stay put, content to watch the pack from my perch in the tree.
“What are you doing up there?”
I turn to find Adrian, my brother, who’s managed to sneak in without anyone noticing. He climbs up to join me in the tree, settling on a branch to my left.
“I’m just enjoying the view.” I gesture for him to take in the scene from my vantage point. The moon is almost full, the stars are scattered across the sky, the fire is crackling, and the pack is alive with laughter and dance.
“You’re right. It is a nice view,” he concedes, his voice deep and serious. He’s always been like that, always serious, always focused. He can’t afford to let loose, not when he’s next in line.
“Adira, have you found your mate yet?” he asks, his face unreadable.
I smile at him. “No. Why?” I shift in the tree to face him, curious about his sudden interest.
“There’s going to be a ball here this year,” he reveals. “It’s for unmated wolves to try and find their mates. Each year a different pack hosts it, and this year it’s our turn.”
He rests his hands on his lap, his gaze drifting to Lillith. “I want you and Lil to go. It’s going to be a masquerade ball.”
I pause, considering his words. Do I even want a mate? I know I must have one out there somewhere, but would they even accept me? I glance at my brother, noticing the worry etched on his face.
Suddenly, it hits me—he’s worried that if we remain unmated, when he steps up, someone might try to force a mate on us, or use us.
I sigh, understanding the weight he’s carrying. “I’ll go, Adrian. For you. I know you worry about us because of what we are. I just never wanted a mate—you saw what the bond did to our parents.”
I glance at Josiah and Megan, wrapped in each other’s arms by the fire. My brother rests his head on hers, and they chat away, oblivious to the world. The bond can be a blessing or a curse. Our mother loved with all her heart, and it cost her everything.
Our father suffered the same fate. At least their father is still alive, despite losing everything.
“Adira, we were just kids when that happened. You can’t blame yourself or the bond for their deaths.” His voice is sincere, but tinged with frustration.
Avoiding his gaze, I take a deep breath. “I know I shouldn’t blame myself, but you guys didn’t see our father fall apart after Mom died. I saw my father break from losing his mate.
“He killed himself, Adrian. I found my own father’s body in the bathtub. Your father may be an ass, but he still loves you guys. So don’t act like you understand what I’m going through.”
Frustrated with the whole situation, I jump down from the tree and head inside to cool off. As I leave, the pack notices my brother and showers him and my siblings with affection.
I retreat to my room, change into a sports bra and yoga shorts, and head to the gym. I start punching the bag, letting out my pent-up frustration. The door creaks open and I glance over to see Alpha Matt.
I bow in respect and return to my workout.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?” he asks, his voice soothing. He locks the door behind him, understanding my need for solitude.
Alpha Matt has been my rock since I lost my parents. He knows I don’t hold any resentment towards my siblings, but he also knows they can’t comprehend what it’s like to lose both parents so abruptly.
He’s towering over me, a six-foot-six giant with deep black eyes, sun-kissed skin, and jet-black hair. He’s just celebrated his forty-second birthday and dreams of retiring to find his soulmate.
“Fancy a friendly match with this old wolf?” he teases, aware that I need to blow off some steam.
We roll out a couple of mats and take our positions, sizing each other up. He makes the first move, but I dodge and flip him onto his back. I quickly straddle him, pinning his arms down with my legs.
A smirk plays on his lips as he realizes he’s trapped. “You’re growing stronger every day.” His black eyes darken as they roam over me, taking me in.
I’m a petite wolf, with long, wavy, dark blue hair and light caramel skin. My eyes are a unique blend, not two different colors, but a mix of red around the pupil and purple on the outer layer.
My lashes are naturally long, my cheeks full and defined, and my lips are plump and rosy, reminiscent of Lillith’s.
“You’re breathtaking, Adira.” His voice is laced with desire, a rare occurrence for Alpha Matt, a man known for his seriousness and lack of romantic entanglements.
Sure, he has a child, but that was with his first mate who passed away when we were just five.
“Is that so?” I tease, my lips brushing against his neck.
His body stiffens beneath me, a low growl rumbling in his chest.
“If I didn’t know better, Alpha, I’d think you were flirting with me.” I meet his gaze, my hands exploring his chest. His body tenses further.
Suddenly, he flips me onto my back, my legs still wrapped around his waist, and kisses me passionately.
One hand tangles in his hair while the other clings to his neck. His growls grow more insistent, and I grind against him, feeling his arousal.
“Come to my room,” he murmurs, his voice husky with desire as he looks at me, wanting me.
He rises, extending a hand to help me up. We leave the room together, the house eerily quiet with everyone gathered around the campfire.
Once we reach his room, he slams the door shut, lifts me into his arms, and kisses me fiercely.
A soft moan escapes my lips as he growls in response. He carries me to the bed, laying me down, and starts kissing my neck while his hands explore my body. I press against him, my hands mirroring his actions.
I tug at his shorts, revealing his arousal. I start to stroke him, his groans growing louder.
“Do you like that?” I ask, my voice thick with desire. I push him onto the bed, kissing my way down his body as his breathing grows ragged. When I reach his arousal, I tease the tip with my tongue before taking him into my mouth.
His head falls back in pleasure as I take him deeper, my eyes watering as he hits the back of my throat. I quicken my pace, drawing moans from this usually reserved man.
I can feel him nearing his climax, his hips thrusting as he releases. He pants heavily as I swallow, then pulls out.
He quickly lays me back on the bed, his eyes lingering on my black sports bra that accentuates my ample breasts, and pulls off my shorts to reveal a toned stomach, thick thighs, and a tiny thong.
He takes in my body before pulling my thong off with his teeth and tossing it aside. His mouth finds my core, his tongue and lips working my sensitive spot, drawing moans and gasps from me.
He slides his fingers inside me, curling them, thrusting them against my wall, drawing louder moans from me. If anyone were here, they’d definitely hear us. I tighten around his fingers as a wave of pleasure washes over me.
Once he feels my climax, he positions himself over me, spreading my thighs. He lifts my hips slightly and enters me, drawing a gasp of pleasure from me.
“Fuck, that feels amazing,” I moan, my nails digging into his back.
He grins as he moves inside me, letting me feel all of him. He gradually increases his pace, careful not to go too fast and cause me discomfort. His growls grow louder as he loses himself in the moment.
“God, you’re so tight and wet for me,” he growls, lost in his desire. I moan, kissing his neck as he takes me.
In the throes of ecstasy, he intensifies his rhythm, my breathy moans echoing in response. My body reacts, tightening around him as he swells within me.
With a final, powerful thrust, he holds himself deep inside me, releasing. He continues to move, ensuring every last moment is savored.
“Adira, that was...incredible,” he breathes out, collapsing beside me. I rest my head on his chest, listening to his racing heartbeat.
The sounds of life outside our room reach my ears, a clear indication that our activities weren’t as private as we’d hoped. Sensing my unease, he lifts my face to his, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.
“Don’t worry about it, Adira. Let them talk. You’re a beautiful, strong, compassionate hybrid. It’s not hard to see why we’d end up here.”
His eyes are filled with warmth and sincerity. I know he’s trying to reassure me.
“It’s not them knowing we’ve been together that bothers me. My brothers will be livid, but it’s the constant chatter about me that I can’t stand.” I trace his jawline with my fingers, leaning in to kiss him.
He laughs softly, returning my kiss.
“They talk because they’re envious, Adira,” he tells me. “Your family are alpha wolves with royal vampire lineage. Everything you do is a topic of conversation. Just live your life and ignore them.”
His fingers tangle in my hair as he gazes at me with affection. “Now, let’s get some sleep, baby girl,” he suggests, nudging me gently.
I settle back against his chest, draping one leg over his hip while the other stretches out. And just like that, we drift off to sleep.
