Shadows of Destiny

~Leo~

I looked at Vino, and he was very uncomfortable.

It pleased me that he knew he could never have my friendship.

He sat on the single chair in the room, and there was total silence between us.

I noticed he was battling himself.

I knew he had questions, but I wouldn’t give him the go-ahead to ask them.

He sat for another hour before Dr Claudia came to check on the patients. He stood immediately, and

his wolf eyes flashed.

I did not need to guess what had happened.

The body language of both of them said it all.

Having been in that situation twice and seen Sylvester battle his, I knew what was happening.

Why would the goddess bless this idiot like this?

Suddenly I wished Claudia’s husband was still alive, kicking and breathing.

I wondered if he would do what he did to me to the guy.

Claudia’s body language was uneasy, but she could control herself better than Vino.

I guess that level of control came with the job.

Seeing Vino, I knew the selfish bastard did not come to see Marcel and Avery; he came for Claudia.

The look on his face said it all.

I did not know when I started to laugh.

Unfortunately, that was a bad idea because it woke Amelia up from sleep. The doctor looked in my

direction, and Vino refused to look at me because he knew I knew.

Amelia gently sat up, a bit confused.

As always, she always took her time to wake up.

I pulled her close and tried to calm her down so she would know everything was alright.

Claudia proceeded to check Avery and Marcel and then left.

Vino followed her, and I hoped deep down he would get rejected.

I wanted to see him in pain.

I learned he was in severe pain when Amanda died.

I did not think the pain was enough; he needed another dose of what he cost me.

“Are they awake?” Amelia asked with a sleepy voice, and I kissed her neck in response.

“No, Moonlight, they are still sleeping, and you should go back to sleep too,” I said, and she nodded

and laid back down.

The fight had taken a lot of energy from her, and I knew she would need to sleep it off.

It was wrong to say Amelia was immune to silver.

She just tolerated it better than anyone else.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

She had access to her wolf, but her healing was impaired.

What made silver deadly wasn’t only the burn and cell destruction it caused; it was the fact that it

stopped a wolf’s healing ability.

The faster we heal, the more we will likely survive attacks and deadly injuries.

In the case when there is no healing, the damage is permanent.

I suspected Amelia used the knowledge of her abilities to her advantage during the fight.

She had injured them in places that would mean certain death if their healing was impaired.

Usually, when fighting an opponent, we will punch them in the stomach, claw at their skin and aim to

dislocate or rip out a limb, but she had gone for their necks.

It was an unusual area to land the first hit; my mate was smart enough to go for it to eliminate any

sparing possibilities because she knew she might not win if it came down to it.

I was indeed blessed.

Nothing beats fighting with wisdom.

Amelia had fought with wisdom under duress. I had another level of respect for her.

I heard Marcel cough, and I gently left Amelia, so she does not wake again.

I went to his side and smiled at him.

He frowned his face a bit, unsure of what was happening; then I saw the recollection of what transpired

change his facial expression.

He sat up with difficulty, but it was quicker than he should have in his condition.

He looked around; landed his eyes on Avery, who was sleeping.

I saw worry cover his face, and I placed my hand on his shoulder.

“Calm down, Marcel. You were the cause of concern. I asked the doctor to sedate her so she would not

worry that you haven’t woken up yet. The baby is fine too. She is fine,” I said, and he relaxed.

He looked at his hands and tried to work his neck.

“We survived,” he said in disbelief, and I nodded.

“Amelia managed to kill two. The third one got away,” I said proudly, and he looked at where she lay.

“Is she okay? Did they hurt her?” he asked with concern, and I could see why Avery fell head over

heels for him. The man was caring. Max was caring, too, but he had selfishness in him that Marcel

didn’t have.

“She is fine. Both of us remained here so we can protect you two in case they try to return,” I explained,

and he nodded.

“Theo? Linda?” he asked, and I nodded.

“They returned to the mansion. Everyone was here. Sylvester, Tamia, David, Dominic and Vino,” I said

so he would know no one abandoned him.

“They left this morning when you were in the clear and recovering. Vino is back, though, but I doubt he

returned for you,” I said, and he sighed.

I told him everything Amelia told me about what happened, and he was grateful for her.

Had she not run back to the estate to get help, and had Vino not sprung into action immediately, we

would have all been dead.

Marcel managed to get off his bed to check on Avery. I used that opportunity to find a phone and call

Max. I made the call in the corridor to avoid disturbing Amelia’s sleep. Her senses were super sensitive

now.

Mac answered after several rings.

“Max,” I said.

“Leo, how are you? How are Amelia and Avery?” he asked, and I knew he still cared about his ex-wife

even though he hid it.

“Fine. I need you to get ready. Once I return, we will be heading back to the east.” I told him and heard

him sigh. I did not know if it was fatigue or relief.

“With Amelia?” he asked.

“Yes, we are returning with Amelia,” I said.

“Great. I honestly can’t wait to return,” he said, and we hung up.

“Are you leaving so soon?” I heard Marcel say from behind me, and I turned to look at him.

He must have heard me while I made the call in the corridor. We had a sensitive hearing, so it was

possible and completely normal.

“Yes,” I said, and his face dropped.

“Because of the attack?” he asked, and I nodded.

“You all have families. I do not want to bring trouble your way. From all we have seen, they are after

Amelia and want to take over the east and south. Besides, there was no time I wouldn’t have had to

return to the east. This is the longest I have stayed away from home in a long time. There is no reason

for us to remain here,” I said and sighed.

“If they are after Amelia, it is best she stays with us,” He said. Black almost growled at him, but I

controlled myself.

“I can’t leave her, Marcel. I will have to return with her,” I said, and he smiled.

” Relax, Leo, no one is going to hurt your girlfriend. We will keep Vino away from her,” he joked, and we

laughed. Vino was not a thing of concern when it came to Amelia.

“We can protect her until this matter is solved,” He pleaded with a tired voice, and I shook my head.

It might have been okay if Amelia was just a girlfriend, but that wasn’t the case.

I doubt Black and I could stay away from our mate that long. I might not feel the bond, but she did, and

I loved her dearly. My heart wouldn’t be able the bear the distance.

I did not only plan on going home with her; I planned to give her her place and start a life with her.

Regardless of what was happening around us, we needed to move forward.

Her Lineage or bloodline did not really matter where our relationship was concerned. I had put

everything on hold long enough.

“I can’t leave her here, Marcel,” I told him, and he frowned at me, not understanding my reasons. I

knew I had to tell him why so he does not take offence.

“She is my fated,” I said, and he widened his eyes with disbelief.

“How can this be?” was all he managed, and I could understand.

We were in a world where finding a fated was rare.

Only a few people had been lucky in that department.

I had been unfortunate and fortunate. It was as if fate was trying to fix what it messed up. I had found

mine twice.

Marcel was speechless after that because he knew there was no point arguing it.

I did not tell him about my irrational behaviour and that she was the only one carrying the bond now,

but neither of that would matter when we got home because I planned on doing the right thing.

We waited in the hospital until Avery woke up, then opted to return to the estate.

It was nighttime when we left the hospital, and I knew we would have to leave our trip back home for

the next day.

We were welcomed into the mansion warmly by Nicole, Katya and Tamia. They were happy to see us,

and Marcel and Avery went to their room. Tamia was happy to see me and let me know she was glad.

Linda was all over Amelia, and I knew she would miss her very much.

I let Amelia tell the women we would return to Mountain in the morning while I discussed my return with

Sylvester.

I planned to go and prepare a place for Vino before asking him to come. I also intended to be civil with

him.

I did not ask Vino about Claudia because it was none of my business. Still, he had seemed a bit

conflicted since he returned from the hospital.

Sylvester wasn’t happy to learn I would return the next day, but I had to confess the truth about my

relationship with Amelia to him. He was just as stunned as Marcel and did not fuss about it.

“I think we will join you in Mountain soon. Because it seems they are trying to take the south and west,”

He said.

He looked troubled while saying it, and I knew he knew something. He didn’t sound as confused as

before. He sounded like he was making informed decisions.

I dared not probe even though he was my friend. I trusted he would tell the truth when the time came.

I said good night and returned to my room.

Amelia was there and had already packed her things. She told me the women, especially Linda, did not

take her departure well, but she promised to visit often.

There was no need to tell her they would join us in Mountain soon.

I just told her they would be okay.

I was going to surprise Amelia with my intentions towards her, and I could not wait.

We cuddled throughout the night and left in the morning after breakfast