A Twisted Fate : The Dream Trilogy - Book 2

by Samantha Barrett

  “All the times I felt like I was being watched, I thought it was Kai. It wasn’t, though, was it? It was you this whole time. When I felt like I was being watched at Randall’s manor, it wasn’t Kai. That was you.” I nodded.

  “You saw my mother and me, didn’t you?” Again I just nodded. “Why, Nico?” I don’t know if she meant to voice her last question, she whispered it so low, but I heard.

  “Because I am a coward. I thought if you didn’t know who you were, you couldn’t hurt my people. Then things changed.”

  If this was a cartoon, steam would be blowing out of her ears. She stood directly in front of me now, hands on her shapely hips. I slowly raked my gaze up her luscious body until I landed on her eyes.

  “What changed?”

  “My feelings for you.”

  She laughed, I mean a full-on fucking belly laugh, with tears streaming down her face. I was stunned. Her reaction was not the one I expected, that’s for sure. After a minute or so she finally got herself under control, glare firmly back in place, and I knew she was about to rip me a new one. My balls may have shriveled up in self-defense.

  “Your feelings for me? Don’t fucking make me laugh. If you felt anything for me you would have helped. You’re right, Nico, you are a fucking coward. Did you like watching her beat me?”

  I growled in response. I fucking hated every minute of seeing her being hurt, but I still did nothing to stop it, so I have no defense. “Did you like it when she couldn’t pay and got her dealers to beat me? How about when she would lock—”

  I couldn’t take it. I jumped to my feet, and to her credit, she didn’t shrink away or flinch; she stood her ground. We were so close I could feel her heat. She was so tiny the top of her head only reached my chest. She craned her neck back so she could look me dead in the eyes, and those full, beautiful lips were calling to me like a siren. I wanted to capture her bottom lip and nibble on it like I had done so many times before in her dreams. I reached my hand out and clasped the back of her neck. She tried to hide the effect I had on her, but she failed—I saw her eyes roll slightly and felt the shiver that went down her spine at my touch. She may be angry with me, but she also knew my touch could relieve the tension in her body and make her mind relax for a while.

  Chapter 5

  Ryan

  His touch was like fire, and my body felt so hot and needy from his close proximity. I couldn’t think with him being this close to me. I was hurt, so hurt, from what I had just learned. Looking into his violet eyes made me feel things I shouldn’t feel. Kai had just died, and here I am begging Nico with my eyes to kiss me or fuck me. I was trying to shake myself out of my thoughts and pull away, but I couldn’t.

  I was a prisoner, and he had the key to release me. His eyes kept jumping from my mouth back to my eyes; he was contemplating whether or not he should kiss me.

  I wanted him to kiss me. If he did, I could escape my thoughts for a while. I knew I could get lost in Nico; he constantly hurts me with his lies, but he was the only one who could mend me.

  Nico was slowly leaning down, so close I could feel his breath on my lips. I snaked my tongue out to moisten them and his eyes followed my movement, his eyes turning so dark they were almost purple.

  I knew that look, Nico was turned on. He closed the gap between us with no hesitation and began exploring my mouth; as soon as his tongue entered, I let out a moan.

  This was my first real kiss with Nico, and holy shit did it put my dream kisses to shame.

  We explored each other’s mouths, and for the moment, nothing in the world seemed to exist except for the two of us.

  He ran his hands down my arms and to my hips, pulling me even closer. I gasped, but he didn’t let me break the kiss. I could feel his erection pulsating against my stomach, and a sense of pride flowed through me, knowing that I was the one who had done that to him. This god of a man was turned on by little old me. His hand continued down to my ass and then to my thighs. He gripped the back of my legs, lifting me, and I instinctively wrapped my thighs around his waist and circled my hands around his neck. Holding him like this, and him holding me, felt right. I felt safe and protected, which was ludicrous considering he just said he watched me be beaten for years.

  Nico started walking us back toward my bed, I wanted him inside me for real, it was all I could think about right now.

  A throat clearing made Nico stop in his tracks. We both pulled apart and turned toward the bedroom door, where Dom, Jax, Alex, and Chase stood. I could feel the heat making its way up my neck to my cheeks. Fuck my life—my cousins looked pissed, Jax looked hurt, and Dom looked happy. There was an awkward silence for a beat until Dom spoke.

  “Since you don’t want to put her down, caveman, can I join you?” Nico started growling at the same time Jax smacked the back of Dom’s head.

  “Put her down now, Tinkerbell.” I could tell from the tone of Chase’s voice that he was mad I was in such a compromising position. I tried to wiggle out of Nico’s hold, but he wouldn’t budge, instead gripping my ass harder to make sure I couldn’t move. I placed both my hands on his cheeks and turned his face so he could look me in the eyes.

  “Let me down, big man.” Nico didn’t release me; he just continued to stare and nuzzled his face more into my hands.

  “Yeah, put her down now, big man.” Chase was being a sarcastic ass. When Nico didn’t immediately put me down, I saw, from the corner of my eye, Chase taking a step forward. Nico quickly put me down and then pushed me behind his back, shielding me from the others. A part of me swooned at his protective instincts, while another part was pissed he wanted to protect me now, and not before.

  “Take another step closer and you will regret it, witch.” He did not just threaten my cousin. I tried to move around him, but he just kept blocking my path.

  “Move away from her now, Tinkerbell.” Oh God, did Chase really just call the king of Farrarie a fairy, twice? The others started laughing, but Nico didn’t find it funny, judging by the way he went stiff as a board and stood even taller, if that was possible. I needed to defuse this situation now before we had a brawl on our hands. While Nico was distracted—glaring at Chase, I assume—I quickly stepped around him, only for him to reach and grab my arm and haul me back into his chest.

  “Let her go Nico, now!” This time it was Dom, and I’ve never heard him use such a harsh tone before. Nico reluctantly let me go after a moment and then slumped down into the single chair. I didn’t have time to process his actions before Chase was barking at me.

  “What the actual fuck, Ry? Him? Seriously? Of all the fucking people, you go for Tink.”

  “Chase, please stop. I don’t need to justify my actions to you.”

  “Yeah, I’m just here to worry about you when he breaks your heart like the last one did. Guess what, though? This time it will be worse, because you have to marry that piece of shit.” Shocked, I reeled back like Chase had just slapped me. Chase didn’t wait for a reply; instead he stormed out of the room like a fucking toddler. His words hurt. I didn’t mean to piss my cousin off. This was all so confusing, and it was fucking with my head. One minute I hated Nico and then the next I was grinding on his dick while he carried me to bed.

  “He didn’t mean it, Squirt. He’s just worried about you, and doesn’t want to see you get hurt. I’ll go talk to him and meet you later for our meeting.” I gave Alex a forced smile before he left the room, shutting the door on his way out. I stood rooted to my spot, head spinning. Guilt was starting to eat at me now. Chase was right; Kai is gone, and here I am trying to jump Nico at the first opportunity. I felt someone place a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see it was Jackson. He held so much warmth in his chocolate brown eyes. He looked so young, but he was nearly triple my age. Being a supernatural had its perks, I guess.

  “Take it from someone who thought he had a mate, but was tricked by his real mate. Love is complicated, and both of those boys love you dearly. Seeing you so torn up about Kai, and you shutting them
out, has been hard on them. They just want to be there for you.” I felt like a complete asshole now; Jax was right—I holed up in my room since learning about Kai and never once have I given any thought to how my cousins would be feeling. I was such a selfish bitch.

  “You’re right, Jax, I’m gonna go see if I can find them and talk to them.” Jax gave me a gentle squeeze on my shoulder and then released me. I nodded to Dom as I exited the room, but I didn’t utter a word or turn back to Nico. I was confused and ashamed at the way I had just acted. What the hell is wrong with me, and why can’t I fight this pull I have toward Nico?

  As I walked down the hallway, I turned right and found both my cousins arguing. When they spotted me, they stopped their bickering immediately. I didn’t have any words, so I just walked right up and engulfed Chase in a hug. It took him by surprise, and after a beat, his arms came up and wrapped around me. He rested his chin on the top of my head.

  “I’m sorry, Ry. I didn’t mean what I said, it’s—”

  “Shh, Chase, it’s fine. I know you are hurting, and I know a lot has changed for both you and Alex. I am the one who is sorry; I let my grief cloud my judgment.” Chase and I pulled apart and I hugged Alex, as well, telling him how sorry I was. They both waved away my concerns and we made our way toward the game room; it had pool tables, air hockey, ten-pin bowling and TVs. We wandered over to one of the many couches and took a seat.

  “Squirt, we are here because we want to be and not because we have to be. Chase and I could have easily gone with Stevie but we didn’t. We believe she is wrong.” I appreciated what he was saying. It meant a lot to know that they chose to come with me instead of having to.

  “I just want you both to know that I am so thankful to have you here with me. I couldn’t do any of this without either of you.” Chase looked like he swallowed a lemon; I could tell he wanted to ask me something. “Just ask whatever you want to know, Chase”

  “How did you know Tink was lying, and how did you know he was the one you have to marry?” Shit. Taking in a few deep breaths, I unburdened myself and told them the truth and what my secret power really was. I needed to trust in them, that they would have my back. This was new for me. I have never had anyone who would risk something or was even willing to choose me before.

  Chapter 6

  Nico

  I didn’t look up when Ryan left the room. I couldn’t. I could tell Jax and Dom both stayed behind, but I couldn’t look at them either. If I did, they both would know the truth.

  “She’s your hugacko, isn’t she?” Trust Dom to put the pieces together. I heard Jax’s sharp intake of breath. Well, now they both knew.

  “Does she know?”

  “No, I haven’t told her. I don’t want that to have any sway in her decision.” I knew as soon as the words left my mouth they were both going to be pissed.

  “You need to fucking tell her, Nico! She has a right to know.”

  I stood and marched over so Dom and I were toe to toe. I needed him to see the look in my eyes.

  “It is my burden to bear, not yours.”

  “So you’re just going to lie to her again?” Jackson needed to learn how to keep his big mouth shut for once.

  “This is none of your business. Stay out of it Jackson. I mean it.”

  “Or what, Nico? She has been through enough, and I have had enough of your shit. I was just coming around to forgiving you, but after the stunt you pulled with switching Ryan for Aurora, I want nothing more than to rearrange your fucking face.” I sighed and scrubbed a hand down my face, then made my way back to the chair and dropped down. Jackson was right; I was fucking everything up because I was scared. I would never admit that to them, though.

  “What do you suppose I do then, Jackson? I never meant for my spell to make you think Ryan was your mate. I would never trick you like that; it was only supposed to mask Aurora’s scent.”

  “I understand why she asked you to do it. I’m still pissed that you did it, though. You both could have come to me.”

  “No, she can’t Jax. You know as soon as the spell wears off and you scent her, you will want to claim her. She doesn’t want to be claimed; she’s not a wolf.” Dom was right, every wolf that scents their mate is overpowered by the need to claim and mark them as their own.

  “Enough about me and my fucked-up love life. We should go grab a bite to eat and then get ready to meet the others.” I was not looking forward to this meeting. I somehow had to convince Ryan that she wanted to marry me.

  ∞∞∞

  After getting something to eat in the mess hall and catching up with a few of Jackson’s pack members, we started to relax in our chairs. It was just the three of us now, and I started feeling nostalgic. We used to hang out all the time and just talk shit and have fun, and now our foursome is a threesome. It was hard to wrap my head around Kai being gone. I was angry as hell at him; he had no right to go behind my fucking back and trick Ryan. She had no right falling for him, either; her heart needed to stay out of it when it concerned him. She was mine, whether she knew it or not. Kai was the safe one, and I was the one you took a gamble on. I would never be the one to hold your hand and make you think everything was okay. I am the one who will push you and tell you to just do it. Snapping out of my somber thoughts, I turned to face my brothers, ready to try mend things, until my sister ruined it.

  “Why are you three sitting here like there isn’t about to be a war?”

  “Sophia, what an unpleasant surprise, as usual.”

  “Dominic, be seen not heard. No one wants to hear your bark.” Sophia and Dom were always bickering at each other, even before Sophia was taken by Randall. Now they didn’t even try to hide their loathing for each other; They used to be so close, and now they couldn’t be in the same room without trying to hurt the other in some way.

  “Cut the shit, you two. What do you want, Sophia?”

  “Nothing, Jackson. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to be left out of the meeting you are planning with the half-breed.” Jackson started growling at my sister, and I had to defuse this before she went hurricane Sophia on their asses. My sister had a temper on her even before her ordeal.

  “How do you even know about that, sister?” No one knew about the meeting except for us, Ryan, Alex, Chase, and Aurora. My sister was always sneaky, it seems over time she has honed her skills.

  “I have my ways, brother. I want in on the meeting.” Before I could even answer, Dom did.

  “No, you’re not invited.”

  “I’m not asking, and if you want information about what Randall is planning, then you will have me there.” Shit, she had us there. She turned before any of us could respond and left the mess hall.

  “Well, I guess Sophia is coming to the meeting.” Dom didn’t look pleased at all about my sister joining us, but I didn’t have time to dig into what was wrong with him.

  ∞∞∞

  We made our way to Jackson’s office, and as we rounded the corner, I spotted Ryan, Aurora, Sophia, and Ryan’s cousins leaning against the wall outside of Jackson’s office.

  “I thought I told you not to be here.” Who the hell was Dom snapping at? Dom was the most chill and relaxed one out of all of us. To see him so uptight and angry was slightly unsettling.

  “Oh, Dominic, since when have I ever listened to a word you have said?” Sophia had an evil smirk plastered on her face, and her eyes were shooting daggers at Dom. Dom marched right up to my sister, leaving barely an inch of space between them, I tensed, ready to intervene if things got out of hand. I would not let anyone hurt my sister, no matter how difficult she was. She has been through enough.

  “How about you start listening now, little dove?” Little dove? Since fucking when did Dom have a pet name for my sister? He and I would be having a little chat about that after this meeting. Sophia flinched at the nickname.

  “Dom, that’s enough. Sophia has information we need, hear her out.” At Aurora’s words, Dom took a reluctant step back f
rom my sister, muttering something under his breath about pain in the ass and never listens.

  We all entered Jackson’s office, each taking a seat except for Soph, who stood staring out the window. No one spoke for a good minute or two; I avoided eye contact with Ryan as best as I could. The tension in the room was stifling. No one wanted to push Ryan, but we were running out of time. Before I could get lost in my thoughts any further, Sophia spoke.

  “How long before her powers are unlocked?”

  “The her is sitting right here, thank you very much,” Ryan snapped. She hated people talking about her instead of to her.

  “Okay, everyone chill out. We’re all on the same side here, and we all need to work together.” Alex the know-it-all told us off like we were children.

  “Well, since you clearly have it all figured out, little Knox, why don’t you fill us in?” I knew I was being a condescending prick, but I didn’t give a shit. Alex was annoying.

  “Actually, Nico, I do have it figured out. Since it is a binding ceremony of two races and two members of royal bloodlines, all leaders will need to be present for this, including Randall.” What the fuck—since when? How did I not know about this? I looked at both Dom and Jax, both of them had the same look of shock, so I’m not the only one who didn’t know then. “Judging by the look on all your faces, none of you knew about this”

  “Don’t be smug boy, it’s unattractive” at least Sophia found her voice because Dom, Jax and I were still in shock. I looked over and saw Aurora with her head down and shoulders bunched, something was wrong.

  “Aurora, are you okay?” she looked up and tried to hide the fear etched across her face, now I was really worried. What the hell happened to put that look on her face.

  “I…..I…um…I” she couldn’t even string a sentence together. Jax got up from his seat and rushed over to her kneeling down in front of her. He tried to grab her hands but she snatched them away. He fell back on his heels but didn’t move.