Fated

Chapter Five

The sun has set, casting a gentle glow through the cabin's windows, and I'm wrapped in the warmth of Mia's kindness. She brought over some clothes, and I'm deeply thankful. Wearing Lex's shirt, though comforting, is not ideal, especially with Hudson on his way to pick me up.

Lex has given me some space, and I take the opportunity to explore the details of the cabin. It's a cozy, two-story house filled with the essence of a family home. There are pictures everywhere—of a young Lex, his parents, moments of laughter and love captured in frames. I can see the echoes of his past, and it gives me a deeper understanding of the man who claims to be my mate.

As I wait, the door opens and Luke steps in. He looks happy to see me well again.

"It's a relief to see you up and about, Gaia," he says, his voice gentle. "I'm sorry for the way Lex took you out of your apartment. He was desperate."

"I understand," I reply, remembering the excruciating pain of the withdrawals. "It was difficult, and I guess it's something that had to be done."

Luke nods, sympathy in his eyes. "Lex was raised by parents who were deeply in love, true mates. He grew up seeing that bond and has been waiting for it his whole life. Finding you means everything to him."

I take a deep breath, the weight of Luke's words settling over me. "I've been thinking about the mate bond...and breaking it. Is it really possible?"

Luke's expression turns somber. "It is possible, especially now that your bond is still new. But you need to consider the consequences. The mating bond isn't just physical; it's a connection of two souls. Breaking it means losing a big part of yourself."

He pauses, his eyes distant, as if recalling a painful memory. "I know because I had to break my own mating bond. I was young, and I let others dictate my actions. I couldn't protect my mate at the time. It was the most painful experience of my life—physically and emotionally. It felt like something was being ripped from my very being, and even now, part of me feels forever lost."

His words send a chill through me. The thought of such pain is terrifying. "I'm so sorry, Luke," I whisper, my heart aching for him.

Luke's gaze softens. "Even with all that, Gaia, if you want Hudson enough, you might find the pain is worth it. True love, real commitment—those things can make even the worst pain bearable."

I nod, feeling a mixture of gratitude and fear. "Thank you for being so open and honest with me, Luke."

He offers a small, sad smile. "You deserve to know the truth, Gaia. Whatever you decide, make sure it's what you truly want."

I'm left with my thoughts, torn between the love I've always known with Hudson and the connection I feel toward Lex. The choice ahead feels monumental, and the weight of it presses heavily on my heart.

The door opens again, and Hudson rushes in, his eyes wide with concern. His breath comes in quick, shallow gasps as he races across the room to reach me. The moment he pulls me into a tight embrace, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. The warmth of his arms is familiar, a comforting anchor in the storm of my emotions.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice filled with a mix of fear and relief. His hands run over my arms, checking for injuries, his touch gentle yet urgent.

"I'm fine," I assure him, offering a small smile in an attempt to ease his worry. "Really, Hudson. I'm okay now."

As he steps back slightly, still holding my hand, I notice Lex leaning against the doorway to the kitchen. His posture is relaxed, but his eyes are anything but. They burn with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. The possessiveness in his gaze is unmistakable, and it adds another layer to the already complicated emotions swirling within me.

Hudson ignores Lex, focusing entirely on me. "What happened, Gaia?" he asks, his brow furrowed with concern.

I explain the withdrawals and how they affected me, detailing the pain and confusion I felt. Hudson's expression hardens as he listens, his worry transforming into anger. "This bond has been nothing but a nuisance," he mutters, frustration evident in his voice.

A low, menacing growl rumbles from Lex's chest. The sound is primal, a warning, but Hudson doesn't even glance in his direction. He's too focused on me and the situation at hand. Luke steps in, his tone calm but firm, trying to mediate the escalating tension. "We need to find a way to manage this until Gaia makes her decision. Maybe if she and Lex see each other once a day, it'll minimize the withdrawals."

Hudson's jaw tightens, his eyes flashing with anger and hurt. "And what about how this affects her? How it affects us?" he snaps, his grip on my hand tightening. I can feel the guilt gnawing at me, knowing how much this is hurting him.

Lex steps closer to me, his voice gentle but filled with determination. "It'll be fine, Gaia. Take your time. We'll figure this out."

Hudson glares at Lex, his protective instincts flaring. He pulls me closer to him, as if trying to shield me from the situation. "We'll figure this out on our own," he says through gritted teeth.

Luke shakes his head, his expression somber. "Hudson, nothing we do will completely minimize the pain. She'll continue to suffer until she makes a choice. We need to find a way to manage this in the meantime."

Hudson's reluctance is palpable, but after a moment, he sighs and nods. "Fine, but Lex needs to be supervised every time, and he's not allowed to take her anywhere without permission."

Lex opens his mouth to protest, his eyes flashing with anger, but Luke quickly intervenes. "That's reasonable," he says, his tone brokering no argument.

With the terms set, Hudson grabs my hand and leads me out of the cabin and into our car. The drive home is heavy with silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Even though I know I didn't do anything wrong, the feeling of guilt is overwhelming. It's as if I've betrayed him just by being near Lex.

When we finally reach home, Hudson turns to me, his expression softening as he gazes into my eyes. "I'm sorry, Gaia. I was just worried and terrified of losing you."

I reach out, taking his hand in mine. "I'm here with you, Hudson. That's all that matters," I say, trying to infuse my words with the conviction I wish I felt.

As we step into our apartment, the familiar surroundings offer some comfort, but the weight of the decision ahead looms large. Hudson pulls me into another embrace, and I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. The thought of what lies ahead, of the choices I must make, presses down on me like a heavy burden.

"I just want you to be happy, Gaia," Hudson murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. "Whatever happens, I want you to know that."

I nod against his chest, blinking back tears. "I know, Hudson. I know."

We move to the living room, settling onto the couch. Hudson wraps an arm around me, holding me close. The television is on, but neither of us is really watching. My mind keeps drifting back to Lex, to the intensity of his gaze and the possessiveness I felt radiating from him. The chemistry between us is undeniable, and it scares me how strong it feels already.

Hudson's hand strokes my hair gently, and I close my eyes, savoring the comfort he offers. "I wish things were simpler," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

"Me too," Hudson replies, his tone laced with sadness. "But we'll get through this. We have to."

I want to reassure him, to tell him that everything will be okay in the end, but the words feel hollow. The truth is, I'm finding it harder and harder to convince myself that things will be fine. The weight of the decision ahead is pressing down on me, and I can't help but wonder how we'll ever find our way through this.

As the night wears on, the reality of our situation sinks in deeper. Hudson eventually falls asleep beside me, but I remain awake, staring at the ceiling and thinking about everything that has happened. My thoughts keep circling back to Lex, to the bond we share and the implications it holds. The fear of losing Hudson battles with the pull I feel towards Lex, and I know that no matter what I decide, someone will get hurt.

In the silence of the night, I realize just how impossible this choice feels. My heart is torn between two worlds, and the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. All I can do is hope that somehow, someway, we'll find a way through this that doesn't tear us all apart.