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Chapter Sixty-Three: Paige
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2024-10-29 19:42:56“Nicole! You came!” I try to get up and hug my mother-in-law, but the hairstylist pushes me back down.
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss this.” Nicole stands in front of my mirror and wraps her arms around my neck. “You look beautiful.”
Mom says, “Wait until you see her dress!”
She hugs Nicole and then drags her off to only Goddess knows where. I down my fifth glass of champagne, trying to keep my enormous bundle of nerves at bay. I wish Ash were here with me. She would be so happy to become Luna. Goddess knows she was always in support of it, even when I wasn’t. I call for another glass of champagne. I give a mental toast to Ash wherever she is. After hours of sitting in the awful plastic chair, the stylist is done. My fiery hair is twisted and braided into a bun that sits on the top of my head. A few stray hairs have been curled around my fa
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Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Sixty-Four: Paige
“My name is Elder Kai Fury, and I’m here to oversee the Luna ceremony tonight, but first, Alpha John has an announcement to make.”My hands tremble. It’s time to break the news about the merger. I don’t know what I’m expecting, but I’m not sure it’s good.“Good evening. Thank you for all being here to celebrate my daughter and her mate. Before we continue with the ceremony, I wanted to take a few minutes to tell you how proud I’ve been to be your Alpha. Truly, it’s been an honor to lead you, just as it was for my father before me and his before him. That said, there comes a time when every Alpha must retire.” John pauses. “Traditionally, the title would be taken by my son Peyton. However, he’s chosen to go down a different path. He’s on his way to fatherhood. His mother and I couldn’t be prouder of him. I mean it, Peyton. You’re going to be a wonderful father, and I respect
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Sixty-Five: Paige
I follow him through the woods, letting him guide me to whatever he has planned now. Colin walks us to a small clearing between the trees. It’s decorated with a tent and roses. Twinkling lights highlight my smile.“What is all this?”“The date I owe you.”“It’s beautiful.”“Not more so than you. But I’m glad you like it. Alex and I worked on it all afternoon.”“I’ll have to remember to thank him.”“Nah, he only helped a little, but you know if you want to thank me. I wouldn’t be mad.”“In that case, let me show you thankful I am.”He yanks the tent open. It’s filled with blankets and pillows. I crawl in and plant myself on the soft pile. Colin falls n
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter One: Paige
Trigger Warning: Chapter Thirty-One includes a domestic violence and attempted sexual assault scene. Another warning will be placed at the beginning of the chapter of the trigger. Truth or dare, I text him, hoping for any lifeline. Maybe he’ll tell me it was a misunderstanding. Truth, he responds, and my heart picks up its pace. Did you ever love me, or was it all a ploy to get laid? I type, barely able to see through my forming tears. I follow this text with the three photos of him and Amber looking real cozy with each other. Three little dots appear and disappear. I throw my phone against my wall and scream into my hands. Why did he have to pick Amber to cheat on me with? The one girl that can make me feel insecure is the one girl that Cory screws behind my back. My tears turn into audible sobs. I try to suffocate myself into the pillow, hoping to suffocate the pain. Those tears carry me to sleep, where nightmares await me. --- “Paige, get up! We’re going to be late for
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Two: Paige
I turn the car out of the driveway and head toward school. My heart panics as we get closer. I don’t know why I’m letting Cory have this much power over me. It’s school. I shouldn’t be afraid of it because of him. “Paige! Watch out!” I was so lost in thought that I didn’t see the car brake in front of us. I stop just in time, though I regret it when I see whose car it is. Amber’s. “Ugh. I should’ve hit her!” “Yeah, probably should’ve. Though Dad would kill you.” I think about it, and he’s right. Amber is the Beta’s daughter, and that earns her a soft spot in my dad’s heart. That’s why I haven’t told Dad or Mom what Cory did. My mom would probably point out the ways Amber is better than me, and my dad’s heart would be crushed. I can’t tell him he doesn’t really know his goddaughter. I sigh and pull into a parking spot. Peyton barely waits for me to park before hopping out of the car and running off. I rest my head on the steering wheel, trying to muster up the courage to go into sc
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Three: Paige
I slam my door, but Cory lingers. Once his scent fades, I collapse into my bed sobbing. That was so hard. I wanted to smack him and kiss him. I wanted to hug him. I can’t though. I can’t forgive him for this. He made his choice. Three years of what I thought was love down the drain. To think I was praying for that poor excuse of a wolf to be my mate. I stay in my bed until my father comes up to get me for a late evening training session. I follow my father outside, noticing how his brown hair is graying. He smiles at me and gets into the fighting position.“Aren’t you getting a little old to be fighting, Dad?”“I’m an Alpha. I’ll never be too old to fight,” he replies while lunging at me.I easily move out of the way, proving my point.“Yeah, sure.”He catches himself from a fall and gives me the opportunity to tackle his side. We do this back and forth for two hours until my mom calls us for dinner. My dad has been training me since I was little. He knew I would never take over the p
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Four: Colin
I have felt anxious all day. I don’t know why, but it just feels like a part of me is lost. I put the weights down and take a deep breath. I’ve been working out for hours now, but it’s not helping. The anxious feeling has been there since the invitation to Alpha John’s kids’ eighteenth birthday celebration came in. I’m Alpha of the Aurora Flame pack.Onyx Moon has wanted to be officially associated with us for the last four years. Attacks on their lands have been increasing, and being involved with us would hopefully put a stop to it. I’m sure Alpha John is hoping that his son will meet his mate and that she’ll have ties to my pack. I’ve been Alpha for two years since I turned eighteen. I wanted to wait to take over until I met my mate, but my father was eager to retire. He said he wanted to spend more time with my mother. But I haven’t seen him do much of that. In fact, I almost never see them together unless they are on official pack business. I think he just hated the job. The cons
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Five: Paige
I spend my weekend training and sleeping. The calming energy I felt on Friday has lingered, and it was just what I needed to leave Cory behind. I feel much better as I awake on Monday morning. Double-checking myself in the mirror, the messy bun I forced my red locks in is messier than I meant, but oh well. Leaving my room, I walk down the stairs and into the kitchen, where I know I’ll find my mother. I’m surprised not to see Peyton. I guess he already left. I grab a granola bar and some bacon; I don’t have time to eat a full-blown meal right now, so this will have to do.“I’m leaving now, Mom. Love you.”“Be safe, and please, behave, Paige. Remember that you’re the Alpha’s daughter.”My mom is always like that. She wants perfection, even though perfection doesn’t exist. She runs our pack with those same expectations. It’s why everyone tries to avoid Luna Margot. She will criticize you for hours if you let her. The only person she accepts at face value is my dad. That’s because they’re
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Six: James
“Have they suspected you?”“No. I’ve been sneaking around during the day when no one is home,” I reply, sipping my bourbon.“We can’t let Colin meet his mate. He’ll be stronger, and we can no longer overthrow him.”“That boy is the worst excuse for an Alpha I’ve ever seen. A mate won’t change that.”“He’s my nephew.”“I don’t care! He’s weak. This pack needs a strong, ruthless Alpha. They need me.”Growing up, Colin was always wishing and hoping for his mate. It’s disgusting. An Alpha must be an Alpha with or without a woman behind them. The Alpha is the strength, not the mate bond. Colin could never understand it from my perspective, could never understand why I hate the mate bond. Of course, he can’t. He was born into rank. He and his parents are the most protected in the pack. The rest of us aren’t so lucky.I was born to a pack warrior and an Omega. One night, a rogue broke into our house. My parents hid me in a cabinet, blocking my view of the rogue, but I could hear them. They b
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Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Sixty-Five: Paige
I follow him through the woods, letting him guide me to whatever he has planned now. Colin walks us to a small clearing between the trees. It’s decorated with a tent and roses. Twinkling lights highlight my smile.“What is all this?”“The date I owe you.”“It’s beautiful.”“Not more so than you. But I’m glad you like it. Alex and I worked on it all afternoon.”“I’ll have to remember to thank him.”“Nah, he only helped a little, but you know if you want to thank me. I wouldn’t be mad.”“In that case, let me show you thankful I am.”He yanks the tent open. It’s filled with blankets and pillows. I crawl in and plant myself on the soft pile. Colin falls n
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Sixty-Four: Paige
“My name is Elder Kai Fury, and I’m here to oversee the Luna ceremony tonight, but first, Alpha John has an announcement to make.”My hands tremble. It’s time to break the news about the merger. I don’t know what I’m expecting, but I’m not sure it’s good.“Good evening. Thank you for all being here to celebrate my daughter and her mate. Before we continue with the ceremony, I wanted to take a few minutes to tell you how proud I’ve been to be your Alpha. Truly, it’s been an honor to lead you, just as it was for my father before me and his before him. That said, there comes a time when every Alpha must retire.” John pauses. “Traditionally, the title would be taken by my son Peyton. However, he’s chosen to go down a different path. He’s on his way to fatherhood. His mother and I couldn’t be prouder of him. I mean it, Peyton. You’re going to be a wonderful father, and I respect
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Sixty-Three: Paige
“Nicole! You came!” I try to get up and hug my mother-in-law, but the hairstylist pushes me back down.“Of course! I wouldn’t miss this.” Nicole stands in front of my mirror and wraps her arms around my neck. “You look beautiful.”Mom says, “Wait until you see her dress!”She hugs Nicole and then drags her off to only Goddess knows where. I down my fifth glass of champagne, trying to keep my enormous bundle of nerves at bay. I wish Ash were here with me. She would be so happy to become Luna. Goddess knows she was always in support of it, even when I wasn’t. I call for another glass of champagne. I give a mental toast to Ash wherever she is. After hours of sitting in the awful plastic chair, the stylist is done. My fiery hair is twisted and braided into a bun that sits on the top of my head. A few stray hairs have been curled around my fa
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Sixty-Two: Colin
“Welcome to our home,” Margot says.“Thank you for having me. My name is Kai Fury, but just call me Kai.”He shakes everyone’s hand but lingers on Paige’s a little more than I like. I have to turn my head as he lightly kisses the back of her hand to avoid a fight.He’s an unmated male touching our unmarked mate. Kill him. Dom growls.He’s an Elder; violence won’t get us far. Margot leads everyone into the sparkling packhouse. She introduces my family to Kai, and I catch a glint of jealousy in James’ eye. So, it’s not just me, good to know. Once the tour is finished, we head to dinner. We’re eating in the private Alpha’s dining room tonight. Paige and Margot thought it best because it’s much more formal and elegant. But if we were in the dining
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Sixty-One: Paige
“What are you doing?” Colin asks.“He helped us, Colin. We have to help him.”Nolan barely looks up at us when he opens the door. I don’t like what I see when he does finally returns my gaze. Nolan’s eyes are cold and empty, something I’ve never seen from him. Even when Nicole was in the hospital, his eyes held so much emotion.“Nolan, how are you?” I ask.“I’m wonderful.”“I can tell. The broken desk looks like it’s had a ball with you.”He flops on the bed with nothing but a sigh. He seems to be sober, despite the room smelling like a hurricane of bourbon hit. Guess it wasn’t strong enough for his werewolf genes.“Nolan, do you remember what you said to me? You told me that Colin couldn
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Sixty: Paige
The last four days have been insane. Every day there has been something happening to pull off this last-minute Luna ceremony. Right now, I’m feeling overwhelmed by the number of dresses the designer brought. Three racks pumped full of dresses stand before me, and I’m supposed to choose one. Ugh. Most of the dresses are black, some are green, some are white, and there are some gold ones stuffed in. I grab the first green dress I see; it looks like a sequin monster threw up on it. I shake my head in disgust. I’m not even trying that on. I keep combing through the racks until a dress catches my eye. I pull it from the hanger and try it on. It’s beautiful. The emerald green matches my eyes. I slip it over my body, and I know that it’s the one. The dress is tight in the right places and flows at the bottom for effortless movements. I walk out into the room where my mother, Cassie, and Claire are sitting. Their gasps tip my lips up into a bright smile.
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Fifty-Nine: Nolan
Hugh bristles as soon as Nicole leaves our room. He’s not a fan of letting her out of our sight, ever. For a woman who isn’t our fated mate, he’s really protective of her. Then again, the love we share is strong. It’s growing every day. Maybe we’ll be mates after all. I count the seconds until my southern region calms down. I’m already missing Nicole. I just want to get downstairs and hold her again. Scratch that. I need to get downstairs. Nicole needs me; I can feel it.A sweet honey scent hits me when I get to the stairs. Hugh immediately perks up, and I feel my heart fall. That scent isn’t Nicole, but it is my mate’s. My feet hit the bottom stair. I peek into the dining hall. Nicole’s back is to me. My gaze moves to the woman in front of her. The doe-eyed, stunning woman who Hugh says is our mate. Her brunette hair is pulled into a bun, making her look taller than she is. My body gravitates towards her, despe
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Fifty-Eight: Nicole
The room is covered in ideas and fabric by the time we finally nail all the plans down. It’s a good thing too; I thought Paige was going to explode on her mother a few times. I wave goodbye to the girls and run to my room to make phone calls. It takes me two hours and several thousands of dollars later before I have everything ordered. Pushing away from the desk, I rip the ponytail from my vanilla hair. It cascades down my aching shoulders, nibbling at the tops of my scars. The fleshy stripes that I should hate, the blemishes that should remind me of the man who tried to kill me. But all I see is raw proof that I’m strong, that I survived twenty years of torment. “You are gorgeous, Nic.” Nolan leans against the doorframe. I smile at him, so grateful that the Goddess gave me him. He wraps his arms around me, and his crystal blue eyes darken just a shade. If I didn’t know any better, I could swear a mate bond was forming between us. He smells sweeter to me with every day that passes. H
Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance) Chapter Fifty-Seven: Paige
“How long has Ash been gone?” Rita asks, gliding around her room to grab a crystal.“Just since the battle. She was there, but when I shifted back, she was gone.”“So, she was there for part of it?”“Yes.”“When you were hurt, did you change by choice or by force?”“Force.”“Okay, I’m going to put my hands on either side of your head. This will help me get inside your head. I’ll try to find her or figure out what’s going on. It may be painful, but I need you to keep still.”I glance at Colin. His smile is uneasy, but he nods to me. His hand reassures mine with a squeeze, but they still tremble. My stomach flips when I feel her plump fingers land on my temple. I close my eyes and wai
