Tempted Fate |18+ (Ménage)✔

⊰43⊱

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The following morning, I sit back, my arms resting on my knees bent up. Releasing a sigh, I pull my hair back away from my face, running my fingers through it before tying it back up high. My gaze flickers upward as the tent opens and Quinn walks in, her eyes briefly glimpsing my form before she moves to the sleeping bag she used last night.

She kneels, rummaging through a backpack and taking a few items before rising to her feet. Quinn tells me, "Breakfast is ready...it is buffet style on two of the logs near the fire pit."

My eyes meet with hers as I reply, "Thank you."

"Whatever you do, please...be careful," Quinn's warning is unexpected as I rise to my feet. Tilting my head to the side as she grasps one hand to the tent entry, she elaborates, "There's a lot of rumors going on about you. I know they can't be true, but everyone wants to put their speculation to rest."

"What are you talking about?" My gaze flickers with confusion.

Quinn looks away for a moment before clearing her throat, "My Alpha's father was killed by a hybrid, though Alpha Keir, in turn, ended the hybrid's life..." as her voice trails off she brings her gaze back to me, my muscles tensing when her wolf comes forward, "some pack members believe you might be a descendant from that Alpha."

Shaking my head, I reassure her, "Arthur kille-"

"Your word against your actions is all you have, nothing else," Quinn cuts me off, "until you can prove others wrong, they are entitled to their opinion, considering the strength you have."

I pull my lips into a tight line, Quinn leaving the tent as I exit moments after her.

How dare they believe that I would ever...

I keep my emotions in check, my temper simmering as I catch the scent of eggs and bacon from the logs that Quinn had mentioned. Observing as I approach, Coen leans his back against a close tree, eating his breakfast off a plate while talking to Bishop. Taking a quick sweep of the encampment during daylight hours, I see those glancing at me, emotions mixed on their features.

Holding back the excitement I once believed I would harbor the moment, I finally met Grandpa Keir and Grandma Laura...their packs...it all but extinguished like doused flames. Resentment forms on the center of my chest now, the isolation continuing to soar to new heights.

Taking my place in line behind others taking portions of breakfast, I remove a plate of the stack and a fork. Dishing a small portion as I hardly need anything at this point, siphoning my strength from my magic alone, I move away from the line and near a fallen tree log at the outskirts of the encampment.

I hardly bring the fork to my parted lips when Grandpa Keir walks over and sits down a few feet across from me. I tilt my head to the side and ask, "I'm allowed to eat, right?"

Grandpa Keir furrows his brows and then shakes his head and states, "Oh, no that's not what I wanted to talk about."

"Okay..." my voice trails off as I take a bite, chew and-

"I wanted to understand how it is that you're an Alpha," as he speaks, I nearly choke on my food. He chuckles as I hit the center of my chest with my fist as I clear the blockage.

I nod and reply, "I'm sorry...I..."

Grandpa Keir's eyes spark as he states, "I'm beginning to believe what you've said regarding Arthur having killed your family and pack, forcing you into a life of solidarity...a rogue not by choice. With how strong your bloodline is, it would make sense where you have ended up. Female Alpha's are rare...you are the first born, yet a male gene was genetically encoded to you."