Fated

Chapter One

Amelia Amor stepped onto the jet's steps and tried her best not to shiver. She slowly took her surroundings in as she unconsciously adjusted her forest green coat more snugly around her petite frame. Her response had nothing to do with the clammy weather in Greenville but rather what awaited her at the bottom of the jet's stairs...who awaited her. She took a moment to take in the vast green forest that laid in front of her and allowed the cool breeze that danced through her long black hair to calm her strung out nerves. Homecoming was bitter sweet but she couldn't run nor hide forever. After a lingering glance at the greenery she missed so much she cautiously made her way down the steps as she drank in the sight of the man standing below. The last ten years had been very kind to Tariq, Emily observed. Her eyes lingered on his muscular frame and his straight black hair. His boyish good looks were replaced with the harshness of manhood but somehow he managed to make it look sexy... Emily froze at the trail of her thoughts. The last thing she expected to feel towards Tariq was attraction. In fact the last place she wanted to be was in the close proximity of Tariq Razz Ali- Alpha of The Moonstone Pack (the largest and most powerful pack in the world) and her.... Emily then realized she was standing on the steps far too long reminiscing and briskly made her way down the remaining steps. He had not yet seen her since he was busy on his phone but Emily knew there would be no warm hellos, no affectionate reunion, no nothing. Tariq made it abundantly clear that he wanted nothing to do with her years ago. In his eyes she was probably just an insignificant witch whose only powers were that of healing. She wouldn't have been here had not her coven (Gemini Coven) sent her. She was sent as a representative to the upcoming meeting which was hosted every year by an elite member of the Order of Superno- this year it would be hosted by Moonstone Pack. The Order of Superno was establish to maintain harmony and order among all super-naturals and consisted of members of several packs, vampire clans, covens and everything in between. Emily tried her best to avoid such events over the years because she feared she would run into Tariq but she could not get away another year. Her grandmother made sure of that by volunteering Emily to accompany her to Greenville. She knew about Tariq and advised Emily to use the upcoming meeting to have some closure hence she sent Emily ahead of her in a private jet. She wished she could tell her grandmother closure was easier said than done. Emily would like to believe that she came to some sort of closure years ago and didn't want to open that can of worms again. There were too many rough waters between her and Tariq and it would be in both their best interest if she just kept her distance during her brief stay and quickly returned to her coven in Italy. She was surprised to Tariq came to pick her up since she had hoped to avoid him and her sister. She just hoped she didn't run into Marcy during her three day stay. Her sister was in the group with Tariq as the top two people she hoped to ignore on her trip. Tariq was still on his phone when she reached the bottom so she quickly made her way towards the waiting limo hoping to avoid having to greet him.

***

Ric was getting rather impatient with the man on the other side of the phone. Being a werewolf came with a bad temper and right now his wolf was pissed and wanted out. He was up very early this morning ensuring all the heads of the various packs, covens, nest, circles and secret societies were notified of the upcoming meeting that he missed his morning run. His wolf was more agitated than normal. He also had to ensure that the pack house was equipped with everything needed for the meeting and the arrival of his mate. Just as he was about to tell the man on the other side to shove it he caught a flash of something green and the most alluring scent of roses and honeysuckle. Mate! His wolf shouted in his head clearly pleased that she was here. He whined at Ric to go after their mate. Find mate! Find mate! He chanted loudly in Ric's head. Chuckling at his wolf's antics he ended the call and made his way to the limo to greet his mate only to be graced with a glimpse of the back of her chocolate colored legs as she entered the limo. It was a very nice leg Ric concluded and he was sure his wolf agreed. When he got into the limo he noticed Emily dashed for the opposite seat clearly not wanting to be next to him. Although his wolf complained at the lack of closeness he knew given their past she would behave this way. He knew they had to come to some closure and soon. His wolf waited long enough for his Luna and wasn't willing to go another minute. "Hello Emily. I trust you had a safe trip?" "Yes it was Tariq." She still had not turned to face him but chose to gaze at the flowing scenery. He was mesmerized by her soft voice. His wolf was doing flips in his head. Ric relaxed against the limo's leather seats and looked at his mate. The last few years that weighed heavily on his shoulders seemed to vanish just by looking at her. He made a mistake in allowing her to leave years ago. He wasn't planning on making the same mistake twice. She was his. Even now his eyes hungrily drank in the sight of her milk chocolate complexion, her long black hair, her brown eyes, her small plump lips, her generous curves....MINE! Ric didn't realize he growled until he saw Emily jumped. Struggling for control over his wolf he engrossed himself with the passing scenery and the past. His wolf wanted her now. Claim Mate! If he wanted to keep his mate he needed control....

***

Emily sat watching the trees go by wondering what came over Tariq. Just a few moments ago he looked at her with such lust and now he sat across from her gazing out the limo's window completely blocking her out as though she didn't matter. Amelia Amor knew that she never mattered-not to someone like Tariq Ali even if she was his true mate. She learnt her lessons years ago....and besides Marcy was now in the picture. Both Amelia and Tariq were caught up in the past that they did not realize they had reached the pack house until the driver opened the door. Tariq got out first and assisted her out of the limo. Emily couldn't help but noticed how he held her as though she was a frail piece of precious china or how he growled at the driver who bid her farewell. She also couldn't help but stiffen as he placed a guiding hand on her lower back in a mark of possession. Emily tried her best to calm her erratic heart rate and not to read too much into his actions as he led her to her room which was suspiciously convenient since it was opposite his room. The driver had deposited her bags inside the room just before she entered. Having ate on the plane all she wanted to do was take a quick shower and sleep the jet lag off. She glanced back at Tariq to wish him goodnight but he was already on his phone probably with Marcy so she silently closed her bed room door. It was emotionally draining seeing him after all this time. She couldn't help it that her old not so forgotten feelings came to pay a visit or that he looked even more handsome or even the fact that he treated her with a cool indifference at one moment and then regarded her with primal possession the next. Her mate was definitely one confusing man. Then there was Marcy and all her teenage insecurities. Emily wasn't sure she could survive three whole days of this emotional roller coaster.