Forsaken Fate: Part Two: Forsaken Fate Trilogy, #2

By Kimber White

The sizzling second installment in the Forsaken Fate Trilogy.

 

Can Theo contain his feral nature long enough to protect Brynna from the shocking choice she's just made. Is Brynna's sacrfice worth the price to find her father?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nokay Press, LLC
• Release date: Aug 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223773702

Kimber White

Kimber White writes steamy paranormal romance with smoldering, alpha male shifters and kickass heroines (doormats need not apply). Because she just can't help herself from torturing her heroes…expect edge of your seat suspense as Kimber's characters fight for their happily ever afters and their fated mates. Kimber lives on a lake in the Irish Hills of Michigan with her neurotic dog and wildly supportive family. For the latest scoop on Kimber's new releases plus a FREE EBOOK as a welcome gift, be sure to sign up for Kimber's newsletter at www.kimberwhite.com

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Brynna

He bit deep, my wolf. I dug my fingers into the soft earth as he sank his fangs into the soft flesh at the base of my neck, claiming me. Marking me in front of the most powerful Alpha shifters in the state of New York. He wanted them to see. To bear witness. To prove to them that he was strong enough to claim someone like me. A coveted Alpha’s mate. A woman who could bear his mark, mate with him, give birth to new wolf shifters that would carry on his line.

A cheer went up from those shifters who had stayed in their human form as they watched. Behind them, howls and roars erupted from those shifters who were in the wolves, the bears, and a few tigers and jags deeper in the woods.

Grayson finished. I felt the rough lick of his tongue over the wound he’d just made. It would heal quickly into the telltale crescent-shaped scar that would identify me to all other shifters what I was.

His.

He didn’t even extend a hand to help me up. My heels dug into the soft earth as I found my way back to my feet.

I smiled and cast my eyes down as if I were embarrassed by all the fuss and attention. It was a ruse, of course, like every other part of this day and the six months before it. I did not love Grayson Dorran. I would never honor him. I would obey him for show only. All these things I would do for as long as I had to in order to destroy him.

Though this wasn’t a church, the ceremony still felt sacred. And I’d just perverted it. It was still a sin; I knew. But Grayson’s sins were bigger, so I hoped mine were forgivable ... even though I know that’s not how it works. I felt Grayson’s weak magic flowing through me. But I had magic of my own. A small vial I’d tucked away, waiting for this very moment. I drank its contents just a few minutes before Grayson bit me. I prayed the spell would work as I’d been promised. That it would let me shield my darkest thoughts from Grayson’s prying mind. If not…I’d be dead by morning.

Thank you all for being here, Grayson shouted. He’d shifted from his wolf and turned to the crowd. For witnessing this most special of days. May you all find the mates you’re looking for. May the alliances we form here today serve us well into the next generation.

They were pretty words. I hoped for the same things. These shifters had all suffered greatly during the last war. The whole purpose of the Gathering was to help ensure there would never be another Great Shifter War.

Grayson put a possessive arm around me. A felt dozens of staring eyes. Some friendly. Some lewd. Many judgmental. But it was the eyes I knew were boring into my back that mattered the most.

Grayson turned and smiled at the man he’d asked to stand beside him today.

Theo.

Only he knew the truth now. My skin still burned from his touch. The way he looked at me now tore at me, made me feel raw and exposed. There was a touch of sadness in his eyes, but something even more potent. He worked the muscles of his strong jaw as his nostrils flared with some barely contained emotion. I knew it was a mixture of desire, anger, and maybe a little of hurt. I saw his hand twitch at his side as Grayson slid his arm around me, lingering possessively on my ass. My God. His wolf eyes flashed. He was a true Alpha. Not a poser like Grayson. I turned away first. If I was going to get through this day, I’d need distance from Theo. Distance that I knew he didn’t want to give.

I tried to let my mind still. I felt Grayson’s reaching out for me.

You’re mine. The words slammed into my head, startling me. Something was wrong. Taking Grayson’s mark meant we were now telepathically linked. Only I shouldn’t have been able to read his thoughts so soon.

I smiled and looked into his eyes. His had turned pure gold as he struggled to contain his wolf. Could I answer him in the same way? He was testing me. Demanding it.

Yes.

Grayson’s eyes glowed. He heard me. It worked. The myriad of other thoughts stayed hidden from him. So far, the potion I’d taken was doing its job.

We made our way back up to the big house as Grayson shook hands and accepted congratulations. I stayed close to his side, letting him tuck me against him just like a demure, blushing bride, shy and overwhelmed. Let them all think that’s exactly what I was.

We stepped into the grand foyer of Grayson’s mother’s house. Diana’s house. She’d lived here the day she decided to ruin my life. She walked over these same marble tiles when she made the decision to take my father away from me and let him rot in a fae prison for the simple crime of being a wolf shifter. She’d sold him to the enemy during the war in exchange for an alliance that put her in power and made her Governor of New York. But I was here now, and she was surrounded by a different kind of marble. She couldn’t stop me and her sins too, were far greater than mine.

Grayson and I circled through the kitchen. We headed out the back door to the veranda to a quiet outdoor reception for our fifty or so guests. Diana’s grounds had been converted into a banquet hall by way of a large lit tent as if this were a wedding reception. Grayson hired chefs to butcher and prepare a feast from last night’s Great Hunt. Venison. Rabbit. The whole affair was another kind of charade. These people weren’t Grayson’s friends. They were here because of some loyalty or connection they shared with his dead mother. I wondered how many of them would stick around and support him when the dust settled. The numbers were already dwindling. One of Diana’s most powerful connections had declined Grayson’s invitation. Abraham Padgett. A rogue mage, his influence held sway with all the major covens of the United States. Grayson’s bid to take over his mother’s governorship could stand or fall on Padgett’s backing. At the last minute, Padgett sent word that he had to attend to other affairs. To me, it was a blessing. In another spell-drunk stupor, Grayson had admitted to me that Padgett was the reason he and his mother had sacrificed my father to the fae during the war. They'd done it to save their own skin. To secure Padgett’s allegiance. To them, my father…my glorious father and his magnificent wolf had been disposable to them. He was rotting in a fae prison now, his mind and body mostly certainly growing weaker by the day.

The guests filed in behind us and we mingled. I stayed by Grayson’s side, playing my part as his trophy mate. I wanted everything to go smoothly as far as Grayson was concerned. We made small talk and I stuck to the script in my head. Thank you so much for sharing our special day with us. Yes, the ceremony was perfect ... just what Grayson wanted. Oh yes, we miss Grayson’s mother today, but we know she’s watching over us.

My mouth made the words, and I prayed my smile was right. I touched Grayson’s sleeve, rubbed his elbow, and rested my head against his shoulder. But it was Theo I watched for. He was the axis on which I rotated as I looked the part and said the words. He leaned casually against the bar, his wolfish eyes on me. He moved across the room, stopping to shake a hand or pat a back. He came near me as he made his way to the other end of the room and my heart tripped behind my breast. I kept my mask in place. No one could see the turmoil brewing in my heart. It was Theo’s mark I craved.

We found our way to our table and somehow, I managed to get food down. The wine helped but I was careful not to drink too much. Grayson didn’t show me the same courtesy. He’d taken some potion of his own. It made him drunk in a way alcohol couldn’t. Mercifully, Grayson kept us at our own table. I didn’t think I could bear sitting that close to Theo without cracking.

I think it’s going well, don’t you? Everyone is salivating over you. They all want you, Brynna. They all wish it was their mark you bore, Grayson said against my ear. I smiled and nodded.

That’s wonderful, baby. See? I told you everything would be all right. Grayson’s hand felt hot where he pressed it against the small of my back.

We’ve got a long way to go, he said. Marking you in front of the shifters puts any doubts they had about me as a leader to bed. Breeding you will be the icing on the cake.

I took a sip of wine, marveling that I could keep my hand steady. Breeding me? Did he mean with his own offspring or was he planning on using me as a dam for any shifter who paid him to rut with me? A dark flash of desire went through me. An ancient call. My hand flew to the fresh scar at the base of my neck. My God. I had to be very careful. The potion I’d taken should curb the worst effects of Grayson’s marking. But I was an Alpha’s mate, after all.

Grayson was still talking but I missed half of what he said. Smiling, I tried to pay closer attention.

We leave in a week, he said. Most of the coven elite will be there. It’s perfect.

I’m sorry, I said. What’s perfect?

Grayson gave me a wicked smile. Soon enough, baby, I’ll take you upstairs and take the edge off. He patted my thigh. I forgot how horny the marking would make you.

I’m fine, I said, sipping more wine. I just missed what you said.

Padgett, he sighed. I heard from one of his representatives. He apologized for missing the shifter Gathering. It’s understandable. Shifters and mages may be at peace, but there’s a long history of war between them. He didn’t feel entirely comfortable coming here. But the covens have a Gathering of their own next week. He wants us there for it. I’m half-mage too. I’ll claim you again in front of the covens of New York. Like I said. It’ll be perfect. Think of it as a honeymoon of sorts. They’re meeting at The Maples on Lower Saranac Lake. You’ll love it.

It sounds perfect, I said.

Stay put, he said. I don’t want you walking around outside by yourself. Too many horned up Alphas out there. They’ll have their turn soon enough. But you can’t be trusted to control your lust if I’m not with you right now.

My jaw dropped. Grayson got up and went outside, presumably to gloat in front of some horned up Alphas. I finished my wine and headed to the bar to get another. My head buzzed. I knew it wasn’t from the alcohol. The effects of Grayson’s mark and my own borrowed magic made me a little woozy. My step faltered. I reached out to try to grip the wall. Seemingly out of nowhere, Theo’s arms came around me and he pulled me close and into the shadows of an alcove.

My heart beat like a trapped butterfly as Theo invaded my senses. The thin silk of my dress offered no shield as my breasts pressed against Theo’s strong chest. My head filled with his heady scent of soap, his own musk, and the slightest hint of the secret we shared. Theo still smelled like sex, which meant I must too.

He leaned down and kissed me on the temple, his lips lingering a fraction of a second too long, sending a flash of heat to my core.

I want to talk to you, he whispered. Alone.

We’ve been alone together one too many times today, Theo, I said through my mask of a smile. There’s no good way to make an exit. Even for a few minutes.

His soft laughter at my ear sent goose flesh straight down the center of my back. Sounds like you’ve been puzzling it out though.

I rolled my eyes at him. Don’t make fun of me.

I’m not. I’m just glad.

I’m serious, I said.

So am I. See Grayson out there talking to that big bear shifter? I need you to go over there, give your betrothed a nice peck on the cheek and ask him if it’s okay if you go back up to your room for a few minutes to freshen up your make-up or whatever. Make something good up. Then you’re going to meet me at our favorite spot.

I couldn’t help it. He made me blush. I knew he meant Diana’s study. The scene of my crime the first time I fucked him. You need to know. Diana’s housekeeper ... Mary ... she’s a mage... she’s not my biggest fan. She’ll notice.

Handled, Theo said. Doyle’s keeping a look out.

I reared back, almost stepping out of Theo’s embrace. Doyle? I whisper-shouted. The same Doyle who just last night called me a gold-digging whore that you should stay away from. That Doyle?

Relax, Theo said. He may not be on your side but he’s on mine. If he wanted to blow your secret, he would have done it already.

"Right. What could possibly go wrong?"

Theo nudged my shoulder with his. Brynna, you’re not in this alone anymore, okay? I know you don’t like that but it’s the truth. Now, either you give me five minutes or I’m gonna grab your ass and kiss you right here.

He did it on purpose. He knew it would bring the blush straight into my cheeks when I turned to face him. I clenched my teeth and gave him serious side-eye. He gave it right back.

Truth was, I really did need a few minutes away from the fishbowl of this reception and Theo was the only one who knew it. He was the only one who knew a lot of things. So, I did as I was told and walked over to Grayson. He gave me a lazy-eyed stare as I bent down to talk. If I had to guess, he’d taken another hit off of something. I was counting on it.

I’ll be right back, baby, I said, putting a kiss on his cheek. I’m feeling a little wilted. I just need to freshen up. Do you mind?

Grayson shook his head. People are gonna start to leave in a few, so don’t take too long.

When I turned, Grayson delivered a stinging smack square on my bottom. I put on my smile and straightened my back as I walked away from him.

CHAPTER 2

Brynna

True to his word, Mrs. Barlow, the housekeeper, was nowhere to be found as I made my way back to Diana’s study. Theo waited for me there, leaning against her massive wooden desk. I couldn’t help but blush again as the memory of letting Theo bend me over it flashed through my head.

See, he said. Piece of cake.

I shut the door behind me and went to him. I don’t know if he saw