Fated

Chapter XIV

Adira

Adira stared at the note fluttering on the ground, completely perplexed. She turned to Amor, who stood on her right, for an explanation. With a start, she realized that the five of them were staring at her for an explanation instead.

"I...don't know." She shrugged uncertainly. "I only told him about the bet when you guys were exchanging money. Didn't want him to feel left out, you know?"

Adrian laughed suddenly, breaking the slightly tense silence. He nodded his head fondly, "Only you, Adira. Only you." Eden grinned, high-fiving his Alpha.

Amor ran a hand through her hair, exhausted. Something glinted in the light and caught Adira's eye. 

Adira let out a high pitched squeal, excitedly pointing between Amor and Eden. "You guys got engaged! Oh my god!" She grabbed Amor's left hand, "The ring is beautiful."

Eden blushed slightly, the tip of his ears turning red, even as Sebastian gave him a celebratory hug. Adira grinned fully, grabbing Adrian's hands and joining their marks. She spoke, her tone excited, "We're going to have the best celebration, what do you say Cass-"

Adira stopped abruptly when she saw Cassie's face. It was mask of ice. The edge of the dagger. She heard Adrian take a deep breath as his attention shifted from Adira to Cassie. The silence became tense again. 

Cassie broke it, punctuating every word, "Why. Is. My. Mate. Writing. To. You?" Her face curled up in a sneer. 

"Um," Adira hesistated before clamping her mouth shut. 

Adrian interrupted, "He's probably just responding to the thing that fits most, you know? Adira shared a secret and now he has a secret. If the note was about Lycan-killing daggers, I'm sure he would have referenced me." Eden nodded emphatically, even as Amor placed a placating hand on Cassie's shoulder. Cassie shrugged her off. Amor stepped back, slightly hurt. 

Cassie spoke, her tone flat. "Are you sure? Maybe I'm not the only one who should be questioning this, Adrian. Maybe you should too."

Anger ignited Adira's belly. "What the fuck are you implying?" 

Cassie shrugged, "If the shoe fits..."

Adrian growled in warning, even as Eden gasped in shock. 

Sebastian said, "Cass, why don't we go back? I think, we've hung out enough for today." He started to pull her away.

Cassie didn't move an inch. "I'm staying till I get my answer. So please go ahead, Little Luna."

Adira's eyes gathered up moisture. She looked at Adrian helplessly. 

Amor caught Adira's hand, her eyes blazing. "You know what? I'm just going to say what everyone is thinking. The reason you didn't get a note, is because you've been an absolute bitch to him from Day 1. Adira is probably the only person who has been kind to him. Look Cassie, I understand that you have your own shit. But you owe him honesty, at the very least. He deserves to know where you stand, instead of being pulled around like a damn yo-yo. You can't expect to be a bitch to him, leaving him to hang on your every action, and then still want to be around you. You don't want him? Okay. Then don't expect him to leave you a damn note."

Cassie blinked, shocked. She took a step back. For a second, her vulnerability showed through her eyes before it hid under her mask. She sneered, "And here I thought I had supporting friends. Do you all believe this?" Her eyes searched them for answers.

Adrian quietly nodded his head, even as Eden came to stand by Amor. Both Sebastian and Adira didn't meet Cassie's eyes.   

Cassie's mark hardened even as her eyes pooled up with moisture. She turned around and started to walk away.