The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman novel Chapter 56

~Devin~

I decided to attend Jake's festival to unwind. It was a last-minute decision. I planned to spend four days in Brighton and then return to Greenwood. It was a great plan. It was supposed to ease my stress and help me think straight.

When I arrived in Brighton in the evening of the festival and Jake told me that Tamia was around, I was giddy. Rex was overjoyed, and I could not believe how easy it would be to take my mate away from Sylvester. Hearing that Sylvester sent her to have a peace talk with Jake unaccompanied made me think of two different extremes.

Either they loved and trusted each other so much that he would allow her to handle state matters without fear, or her life meant nothing. He was willing to gamble it away by using her to apologise to Jake, hoping Jake won't attack and kill her.

Hearing Jake talk about her made me realise she was alright.

He told me she arrived a bit ill and pale looking, and I was afraid Sylvester maltreated her in the north.

I planned it all.

The rose, the garden. I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted it to be romantic. It is all I have ever wanted. Finding my mate and starting a real life in love and happiness.

Tamia was perfect. I did not care that she was once married or was taken by the wolf lord. I did not care. I just wanted my mate.

Rex hoped to hold her, accept her and claim her. I wasn't going to waste any time.

I was going to run fast and sink my teeth into her.

I did not need to wait for the blue moon; that was only done by chosen mates for the claiming to work.

I did not need the blue moon to claim my mate. The moon goddess had given her to me.

So I used my scent to lure her.

She scented Peach and Wildflowers. Her scent was vivid and more precise than when we first met at the party.

She was delicious, and she was mine. I hoped she would follow, and she did.

When she saw me and tears started streaming down her cheeks, I knew it wouldn't be easy.

Everything she said to me in tears broke my heart. Not because she refused to run into my arms, but because what she was saying was true.

I took my moment with her for granted. I wronged her deeply.

I knew she was hurting with Leo, and I should have challenged him for her hand, but I was diplomatic about it. I made the biggest mistake of my life.

I should have taken her from him that night. I took our moment for granted, and Volkov stole her heart.

I could not blame her for rejecting me. But deep down, she should have given me a chance to prove myself.

No pain or weakness came with the rejection, but the feeling was the same.

I knew she battled her wolf to let me go. As much as I wanted to be persistent, I had to respect her wishes. I lost my chance, and I hated myself for it. Rex did not forgive me for accepting the rejection.

We actually thought she would let us claim her. The feeling was right. It felt so good, and I wanted to sink my teeth into her neck, but she pulled away. I could not force myself on her.

I left Brighton the next day a broken man.

Throughout my journey back to Greenwood, my wolf howled, blaming me for the loss and rejection. He, too, was right.

When I held her in my arms at the party, he urged me to throw away the alliance and challenge Leo for her hand. Her eyes were sad and withdrawn. I should've listened to my wolf, but I didn't.

I wanted the marriage to end naturally because they weren't ready to let each other go, even though Amanda had come between them. I know Leo still feels the same way.

I got home and thought I wouldn't long for her anymore, but I still wanted her. I remembered how it felt to have her in my arms, and I wished things were different and she didn't fall in love with Volkov.

"What will we do now?" Rex asked me, still mourning our loss.

"I do not know, but I think we shouldn't be quick to move on. Tamia does not like to share, and knowing the history of the Volkovs, they always have more than one woman. I plan on waiting a bit to see how things go between them." I told my wolf, and he was silent.

I wasn't going to actively try to separate them, but I was afraid she might lose on his side too. There was no way he could be different from his father. I had to make sure I remained available a little longer for her sake.

"I say we wage war and take her from him. The goddess made her for us. She is ours. He has stolen what is ours," Rex said, and tears streamed down my face.

"She is in love with him, Rex. We can't beat that. The only thing we can do is wait them out. He might slip up, and if he does, I will be there for her, even if it is as a friend, but this can't be it," I said, trying to convince myself there was hope.

My day went slow, and I returned to Greenwood more depressed than I had left.

A day later, I was sitting in my office when Lukman, my beta, brought me an invitation from the Northern Council.