Tangled Fates

Chapter 21

The tantalizing scent of the roasted meats before me was potent, yet it failed to stir any hunger within my hollow stomach. I found myself aimlessly pushing the succulent chunks of venison around my plate, the sharp tines of my fork grating against the delicate porcelain. Yet my attention was elsewhere, glued to the scene unfolding across from me.

Skye had inched closer to Rath, her wild cascade of auburn curls tumbling onto his muscular forearm. A sly grin played at the corners of her lips, its meaning lost to me. But whatever secret she had shared seemed to resonate with him. His broad chest vibrated with a silent laugh, his golden eyes twinkling with a mirth that felt like a slap in the face.

Invisible claws raked down my spine, each prick as painful and relentless as a wolf's fangs sinking deep into my flesh. The bitter taste of betrayal flooded my mouth, overpowering even the robust flavor of the untouched wine swirling in my goblet. Rath's gaze remained on Skye, his expression softened and unguarded, an intimacy I'd once naively thought was meant solely for me.

Questions swirled through my mind like a flurry of razor-sharp shards, each one cutting deeper than the last. Had everything been nothing more than an elaborate ruse? A perverse game where I was nothing more than an unsuspecting mouse being toyed with by a cunning cat? I swallowed hard against the knot forming in my throat, trying to force down the toxic seeds of doubt sprouting within me.

Rath's hand grazed against Skye's as he reached for his drink. An innocent touch that aroused a giggle from her lips. Each shared glance between them felt like another twist of a knife lodged deep within my heart. Each secretive smile was a cruel reminder of the intimate connection I feared I'd lost.

My nails bit into the soft flesh of my palms, helpless frustration simmering in my veins. I was an outsider, an intruder at a table set for two. The silver scars etched into my skin, once a testament to endurance, now felt like shackles, anchoring me to a fate I no longer understood.

Across the expanse of polished mahogany, Rath's gaze met mine, molten gold colliding with turbulent blue. For one fleeting heartbeat, I saw glimpses of the man I had dared to dream about, the Alpha, whose mere proximity set my spirit ablaze. I forced myself to look away, directing my gaze instead toward the elaborate tapestry gracing the wall. A scream lodged itself in my throat but found no escape. The intricate threads blurred into each other, forming a wild splash of colors that paled in comparison to the vibrant shades of heartache.

My thoughts strayed, finding their way to Elijah, even in his absence. I found myself ensnared by the mysterious allure in the time spent. A particular curiosity gnawed at my mind. The strange stone he clung to so fiercely. It bore a unique charm, its surface dancing with iridescent hues under the sun's watchful gaze, an invitation almost impossible to resist. Yet Elijah guarded it as if it held secrets only he was privy to.

As the days folded into one another, marked by shared moments with Elijah, I noticed a subtle shift in Rath's demeanor. Initially, he had permitted Elijah to join our meals, his presence a quiet fixture at the edge of the dining table. Gradually though, Rath's tolerance seemed to wane. He exiled Elijah to standing guard, first at his side, then at the door.

Soon after, however, even that proximity was deemed too close. Elijah was no longer allowed within the confines of the dining room during our meal times. Instead, he was dispatched on various errands that conveniently kept him far from my reach.

A sense of unease began threading itself through my thoughts, like a snake slithering in wait. The tightening coil of suspicion nestled in my gut threatened to strike at any moment.

Was this Rath's plan all along? To isolate me from those who offered comfort? To sever ties until I was left dangling like a puppet swaying at his whims? This bitter realization turned acrid on my tongue, ashes of trust scattered by the winds of deceit.