14
Gabriel
Fatedmates.
I wasn’t just hearing things. Dante really said thosewords.
Fated mates.I repeated the phrase over and over in my mind like a mantra, trying todecipherthem.
Two souls destined for each other, fated to overcome all obstacles, nomatterwhat.
It wasn’t real. It just couldn’t be. Ever since I was a young pup in Stoneheart pack, the phrase seemed like a curse, a taboo subject no one should speak of. Another rumour that existed in the world outside the walls, but neverwithinthem.
Why had Dante said that? Was it just to get me to stop fighting with him? Did he say it just so I wouldn’twalkaway?
Part of me - the angry, irrational part - wanted to say yes. He was losing an argument and pulled out yet another magic trick. Except instead of clear magic, it was aconcept.
Fated mates. The term burned inside my skull likevenom.
But the other part of me - my omega wolf, my nurturing compassionate side - knew with absolute certainty that Dante wasn’t lying. He truly believed we were fated mates. Even in the middle of this turmoil, he believed in the depths of his heart that we were destined to betogether.
But I hadn't grown up that way. I thought it was a myth.Alie.
What if itwasn’t?
I wanted to cry out in frustration. As I stormed back into the bedroom, I slammed the door. Even without the fated mates wrench thrown in, I was still angry and confused. Dante didn’t want me going back to help my pack, that was forcertain.
Why couldn’t he see what I could? That it wasn’t as dangerous as hethought?
I sat on the edge of the bed with an exasperated sigh. My hand travelled to my belly, which was just beginning to swell as mybabygrew.
I frowned, thinking of Dante’s words. He didn’t want me to put myself or our child in danger. I bit my lip. Maybe he was right. It wasn’t just me anymore. Any kind of stunt I pulled automatically involved our baby as well. Could I risk putting our child inharm’sway?
No, I thought firmly.There won’t be anydanger.
I could go in, put up the barrier, and get out before any humans even showed up. I wouldn’t even have to ask the elders’ permission. Once the magic was up, they could do whatever the hell theywanted.
And I could only do this now, with the strength of my pregnancy fuelling mymagic.
I stood up with renewed determination. I knew what I had to do. Dante was just exaggerating the danger again, the same way he did when I passed out at Ryu’s and he hauled me to thedoctor.
A wave of deep sadness hit me as I realized Dante obviously wouldn’t fly me there. I would be without him for days. I was so used to having him by my side, providing me love and protection and everything I needed… What was I going to do without hispresence?
Fated mates, Ithought.
Maybe this would test that theory once andforall.
* * *
After a brief,hushed phone call, I met Lorenzo at the base of the tower. He arrived, gracefully touching down in his silver dragon form. I winced thinking about how much he resembled Dante. They had the same powerful shoulders and beautiful features, although Lorenzo’s horns were longer - probably something that camewithage.
I didn’t want to think about Danterightnow.
Lorenzo greeted me with his deep voice. “Good evening,Gabriel.”
“Hi,Lorenzo.”
I hadn’t told him why I wanted to meet him tonight. That was the thing about the Drakinus family, apparently - all you had to do was say the word, and they dropped everything to come andhelpyou.
