Falling for your Fate

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

He heaved a tired sigh and I remained motionless as he continued to hold my hands in his. I stood staring at the man, wondering if the words I had heard were part of my imagination or a misplaced fantasy. One from my childhood when I only dreamed of the perfect escape, the perfect prince.

‘Leora, sweet girl, I am sorry for all I have done from the moment I met you to the moment I…I did that,’ he whispered, tilting his head towards the dent in the wall where he had thrown me so easily from him. I stared at it in shock. What was happening? I couldn’t force my mind to process his words, nor the emotions I could feel in his tone. All I could do was stare as I struggled even remembering to breathe.

‘You deserve so much better than me,’ he murmured, and slowly he wrapped his arms around my waist, almost asking me permission as he drew me closer and rested his head gently against my stomach. Yet, despite his kindness and the warmth I felt in his hold I felt more terrified than ever. How long would it be before he shifted back to the way he had been before? I didn’t trust him, not even for a moment did I believe that he had changed. I had already seen too much to have faith in the elusive goodness Michael had tried to convince me of.

‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered against me and I remained still, allowing him to hold me but not giving myself the freedom of listening to my inner voice. I couldn’t reach out and pull him closer.

For long minutes we remained in silence as he took deep steadying breaths and I forced myself to slow my heartbeat.

‘Please say something Leora,’ he whispered, pulling back from me, but keeping his arms wrapped loosely around my waist.

‘I don’t understand,’ I choked out, pushing back on his hold. I stumbled slightly in surprise when he released me, my eyes snapping to his as he made to steady me, but held himself back.

‘You deserve better.’

‘So,’ I started unsure of how to approach this new Colby. ‘Are you letting me go?’

‘No,’ he growled and I watched as his eyes darkened, but they didn’t turn charcoal and I could tell he was more in control than he ever had been before. ‘You can never leave.’

‘Then what has changed?’

‘I have or I will. I need to, for you.’ He answered firmly and I eyed him skeptically.

‘I don’t believe you,’ I answered quickly, risking another step away from him. I saw him tense but he remained on the bed.

‘I don’t deserve your trust, I know, but I am going to earn it Leora.’

‘How, after everything I've seen, after everything you’ve done to me? How can you believe that I will ever forgive you?’

‘Because you are my mate and you were destined for me. By some miracle you have been chosen for me.’

‘Why?’ I asked, desperately. Why had this happened? Why was I destined for him?

‘I don’t know, but I’m done trying to ruin what has been gifted to me by the same moon goddess who vowed to take it away.’

‘But why now, what have you done to deserve this?’ I demanded angrily, feeling the tears begin to grow behind my eyes. ‘What have I done to deserve you?’

I felt the tears fall but I made no move to stop them as I glared at the floor between us, feeling my frustration run like wildfire through my body. I felt so trapped, nothing like I thought I would feel when I found my mate. I couldn’t help that feeling in the back of my mind. My voice of reason growling that this isn’t how it should be, pushing me to run.