Fated is overrated

Lola

POV

My mind is racing a million miles per minute and I can't seem to think straight. Liberty and Justice's sadness is intensifying my own, and just looking at him I doubt he will be able to pull through without any drastic measures.

But, am I ready to be tied to him forever? And what if I'm not? Basically - do I let him die without ever giving this a shot, or do I jump in head first without a way back?

'Girls? Your opinions?' I ask both of them. I couldn't make this decision alone, even if I wanted to. Liberty is the one to speak up first, with an unambiguous answer 'I say mark him'. Justice remains quiet, and I give her some time to contemplate on it in peace. It's not a decision you need to make every day.

"Are you talking to Liberty?" Zane asks softly, bringing me back from my internal conversation. "Yes, and Justice of course". "What are they saying?" he asks, but I think he already knows what Liberty is thinking.

Our Lycan parts are really attached to their other half. In fact it was a small miracle for a Lycan that Liberty stood by me when we rejected them initially. I sigh "Liberty wants to mark him, Justice is still contemplating".

"And... you?" "I don't know, Zane. It's not an everyday decision, and especially not for me. I never even wanted a mate, I had deep rooted trust issues already.

And then I met you both, and you were total douchebags to me, only further flaring up my trust issues. We only just recently started being on better terms. And now I have to decide between cutting our journey short, never getting to know if it could have worked or not, or irrevocably tying myself to him".

Zane just nods wordlessly, and drops his gaze to the ground. We sit like this for some time, until we hear some noises coming from the door to our hospital room. This book has many missing chapters and scenes if you're not reading it on [J]obnib.c[o]m. Before I can even think about who it could be, the King and Queen step into the room.

Uncharacteristically, they look like sh*t. But I guess I would be too, if my child was hanging onto life by a thread. As soon as Xena spots me, tears well up in her eyes and she rushes forward to embrace me in a hug. I freeze at the contact.

I always loved her when I was there, but the fact that she didn't stick up for me in the meeting still plagues my mind. I know she argued that her support for me goes without saying, but I guess it would have still been nice to hear her say it nonetheless, especially with my lingering trust issues.

Almost as if she didn't notice my hesitation, she pulls back and cups my cheeks in both her hands. Tears are slowly spilling from her eyes as she speaks. "Lola, dear, I am so glad you are alright!".

She is still wearing a small smile on her face, despite her sad complexion. I only reply a soft, small "thanks" in return. Her gaze shifts to Zeke, and I see her smile falter. "I am so sorry about Zeke" I speak to no one in particular."

There is nothing to be sorry about, Lola. You are not the one who hurt him" Zion speaks up for the first time since entering the room. I glance over to him briefly, before he asks with a grave tone "who was the dragon that hurt him, and where can I find him?".

I chuckle lightly. Surely they didn't think I would let him live? "His name was Lucian, he was my dragon's fated mate. I assume he is at the castle gates still, unless they have started cleaning up already.

Either way, he won't be of much use to you anymore if you were hoping for revenge". His gaze turns to me, raising a questioning eyebrow in my direction. "Let's just say that Zeke's wound is child's play compared to what happened to him. He got what he deserved" I say coldly, with a clenched jaw.

Zion offers me a small appreciative smile, before nodding and saying "thank you, Lola". "No need to thank me, your highness" I reply politely. "No need for the formalities, dear.

You can call me Zion now". I am not really sure how to respond to that, so I just offer a small smile in return and nod my head. As if on cue, we all glance back to Zeke's lifeless body. And immediately, we are all at a loss for words again. We sit in silence for a while, before Xena and Zion leave to give us some time alone.

I stand up from my bed, to walk over to Zeke's. I carefully shift the various tubes and threads out of the way and pull up the covers, before climbing into bed with him.

His amber wood and jasmine scent floods my nostrils, and I find it as comforting as I find it heartbreaking right now. I carefully scoot my body closer to his and wrap my arm around his waist, while burying my head in the crook of his neck.

I feel the sparks and tingles everywhere my body touches his, which is about everywhere now as I am wrapped around him completely. 'Lib, any sign of his Lycan?' I ask Liberty, hoping she'll say our close proximity is stimulating his Lycan. 'No... Liberty whimpers back, before retreating to the back of my mind in complete agony.

I feel tears falling down my cheeks again, before they land on Zeke's shoulder. It isn't long before sobs tear through my throat, and the shoulder of his hospital gown is completely drenched in my tears. Zane has moved to sit beside me, gently rubbing circles across my back. But it does nothing to soothe me.

I rarely ever cry. And since I am balling my eyes out right now - does this mean I care for him after all? I guess I do, don't I? Who would have thought I would ever start caring for the 2 men that I have called about every name in the book. I would blame it on the mate bond, but I have proven to be able to withstand it once already.

So, I must really care for him now somehow. I feel Justice coming forward, and I am left stunned when she says 'I say mark him. Mark our mate'.