My Place, My Fate (Book 1: Fate Series)

Chapter 17

"It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone." – John Steinbeck, The Winter of Our Discontent

You know when people often describe something as having an out-of-body-experience? Well I was smack dab in the midst of one.

Confusion had been my initial reaction. Then shock when I realised that I had indeed heard right, followed swiftly by confusion once again.

"What?"

It seemed the only plausible response. Tearing my eyes away from Sebastian's I glanced around me. The border patrol wolves all had the same look they had earlier. The look I had been unable to place earlier, only this time they were not trying to hide it. It seemed Sebastian acknowledging my identity had given them a green light.

They were angry, and held such a deep-rooted revulsion to my mere presence that given the chance, they would enjoy ripping me to shreds. I glanced at the two wolves beside Sebastian. I had completely ignored them. The beta stood to the left and Adam to the right. Like his alpha, Adam maintained an expressionless face; the beta on the other hand was more than glad to show his excitement over the entire situation.

A situation I was yet to fully understand. Though his face gave nothing away, from Sebastian's tone alone, I was smart enough to realise that something was not right.

"Don't play stupid Amelia, it doesn't suit you. You heard me, and you're starting to stretch my limit of patience. What the hell are you doing here?"

Lucy took it upon herself to answer. A single glance at her stunned face, it was evident that this had not been what she expected. It wasn't what I had expected too, where was the relief in seeing me again, or at least relief in knowing that I was alive.

I could understand his apprehension- if that was what it was. To most, I had run away without a trace, leaving behind a child. Showing up again would not have been the brightest of decisions. Still, I held hope that as much as that was what it seemed, Sebastian would know me far better than what appearances made the situation seem.

He should know I would not willingly abandon Sophia. He should know the lengths I would go to ensure the safety and happiness of that little girl. Had me rescuing and caring for her not been enough proof? Had me nearly dying not been enough to show him my love for Sophia?

"You want me to believe that she was kidnapped, and you just escaped from your captors?"

"It's true," I found myself whispering.

I had been silent throughout Lucy's explanation and was unsure as to what information she had given. I had hoped she would keep the miscarriage private. It was not something I wanted everyone to know. I had hoped to tell Sebastian in private, after we had gotten through the initial hurdle of our reunion. Safe in the confines of his room, would I tell him, and break down all at once hidden from prying eyes.

That was the plan. A plan that I was starting to believe was not going to happen. I had not meant to say the words out loud. They had been my thoughts the second he had asked the question. I wanted to outright shout 'I did not run away', but the words seemed to fail me as I gazed into his grey orbs. Eyes that had previously not held any emotion, now held disdain. Mistrust.

"And how come we did not scent the wolves that supposedly kidnapped you?"

It was the beta who spoke. He was the only one out of everyone else who was enjoying this situation the most.

"They were scentless."

He scoffed. "And you expect us to believe that?"

"It is the truth."

"All wolves have scents. Why don't you save us all some time and confess. Tell us why you are here after all you've done to this pack."

"I am not lying. I was kidnapped. I don't know how, or why, but the wolves were scentless. Lucy helped me escape two days ago, and I haven't done anything to your pack."

"Quit with the lies rouge. We know the truth. Your petty little act will not fool us."

"I am not lying."

The beta snorted. He was enjoying his tirade. "We have the proof of your treachery. Did you think you could get away with it?

"Did you think you could have continued to claim a child you stole and not be discovered?"

I froze. Unable to form a coherent response to an accusation I had not expected. I shifted my gaze to Sebastian. He was watching me. Scrutinizing my every move.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Sebastian, I–"

"Lies! Your game is up rogue. We have proof from a credible source of your treachery. And using the alpha's daughter in your twisted games, disgusting.

But no more. The truth is out now, and you shall answer for your crimes."

Crimes? Treachery? Proof? This was not happening. This could not be happening. But even as I stood there hoping with all of my being that this was some bad dream, I knew it was not. I was stood in front of the man I had longed to see being crucified for something I did not do.

"Sebastian."

The voice was new. None of us expected her- or at the very least Lucy and I. None of the wolves seemed surprised by her presence. She moved from behind Sebastian, and stood in between him and Adam.

It was as if I was punched in the gut. She was beautiful, tall and lean like she had just stepped out of a magazine cover. A stark difference to my dishevelled appearance. Her hair was like golden fire, long and wavy as is flew in tandem to the light breeze.

Katie.

I watched as it happened. Felt as it physically occurred. The destruction of hopes and dreams. The devastation of a newly mended heart, crack by measly crack. The slow obliteration of a dying soul, and the cruel laughter of the fates- taunting me at believing that this could have turned out different.

"What is going on?"

Her voice carried through the woods. Feminine, melodious and soft. Against the backdrop of the woods and night sky, she sounded earth-real.

"Nothing you should concern yourself with. We are just handling a rogue situation."

A rogue situation.

In one single swoop, I had been told in such little words what I was to him. A rogue. The words had their desired effect, the wolf within me going silent. The little joy we had felt was ruined by the heartless words. I fought against the onslaught of tears as I watched her wind her arm around his and against the bile as he turned to her with a small barely noticeable smile on his lips.

"Who are they?" she asked turning her attention towards Lucy and I.

"She is Amelia." The beta intoned, loud and clear as though my name alone would hold any significance to the woman.

Her eyes widened. I had seen that look before. Recognition.

"The Amelia?"

"Yes." Sebastian answered his eyes back on me- the rogue.

"Is that her?" He asked, tipping his head towards me.

She was silent for a while. Scrutinizing me from head to toe. I would have felt self-conscious had I not been more focused on my breaking heart. The cracks seemed to get deeper with each glance of his eyes. With each glance of the growing mistrust, disgust, and hatred; I felt the cracks widen, gorging deeper and deeper.

"Yes, that's her."