The Dark Side of Fate

36 Engagement Dinner

~Tamia~

Planning the engagement dinner was tedious, but Avery and Linda came through.

Linda had moved back to Theodore’s room, and even though he didn’t kick her out, he was guarded with her. I noticed it during dinner.

Her actions hurt him, and he needed time to get over it, just like her.

Stephanie helped immensely with the seating arrangement and the menu of the engagement dinner, which made me realise she was over it.

I stood in the dance room and admired

what we had done.

Stephanie was drinking a glass of wine with Avery while Linda drank juice. We

had worked for a day and a half, only

taking breaks to eat and sleep; we were

exhausted. 1

I wondered why Sylvester did not allow me to hire an event planner for this. He refused to tell me, but I believed it had to do with trust and accessibility.

I joined the women at the table they were sitting at, and Stephanie smiled at me.

“You need to brace yourself, Tamia. Northern Alphas are very stubborn, and most of them are chauvinists,” she said, and we all laughed.

“The east isn’t any different,” I told her, and Linda chose that moment to mimic

Kyle.

“You are a woman. What do you know

about these matters? Leave it for the men

to handle,” She said. We all laughed.

“I see how well they handled the matter

when the northern soldiers called. They

just shoved us in their faces, afraid.” She said, and honestly, that was precisely what happened to them.

We had all somehow kicked against them, banding with the south against the north, but they did not listen, only for the women to be given as peace offerings. We didn’t commit the crime, yet we paid for

“You won’t have that much trouble

because of Sylvester. He adores you,

Stephanie said, and I smiled.

11

“How are things with Theodore?” She asked Linda, and Linda looked away, knowing it was her fault.

“The women in the harem were gossiping

about you and the Gamma; that was how I got to know,” Stephanie said and smiled at Linda.

“Marcel and Theodore are alphas from prestigious families. Their fathers occupied their present positions, and so did their fathers before them. The rules that apply to Sylvester apply to them. Even though they have not argued or fought anyone about it, they are going against tradition being with the two of you, and their families aren’t happy about it. But it really doesn’t matter as long as they are happy,” She said and

sighed. 1

“Why am I telling you this?” she said

with a smile, guessing that was what we were thinking.

“It is because I have never seen men

devoted to their women as these men are devoted to you three. The ones before

them were horrible. They were so bad that we, their mates, accepted their ill- treatment as a norm. They engaged in all kinds of orgies and torture. We dared not speak or complain. Our duties as their

wives were defined, and we had to stay within those confinements, or we would

be in trouble.

When I see how Sylvester is with you, Tamia, I wish Maurice loved me that way. But the truth is he didn’t. I was just a tool to him. This is why I am telling you this, Linda. Do not throw away a good thing.

I know what happened to the three of you in the east, and I can tell you that my son and his friends are decent men.

They aren’t douchebags and have a lot of respect for women.

They have all been burned by love in the past, and it is a joy to see them try again.

Do not make Theodore pay for a crime he did not commit. His only crime is loving you and wanting to take your pain away. I see it in his eyes. How he looks at you and how he treats you. 1

His mother asked me about you, and I had only good things to say. Please put your past behind you and look into the future,” She said and touched Linda’s

hands.

“I know you do not drink but try and stay clear of alcohol tomorrow night,” She

said with a broad smile. She felt Linda’s

palm and smiled.

“Because it won’t be good for the baby,”

She said, and we all gasped.

I looked at Linda immediately and

realised she was stunned too.

a midwife.

sensitivity to

fatigue are all early

you can have

couldn’t believe it.

because I wanted it

Linda was a baby magnet.

some test strips you can use,” Avery told

I are trying,”

looked at me.

Sylvester?” Stephanie asked me,

of Linda right now because Sylvester

confessed, and

smiled.

eager too. It will be nice

running about the place. Children always have a way of bringing

to

Linda

friend to me if

Avery’s room while Linda

used the toilet.

negative, but soon I

from

would have a father and not a

not stand to fight

claimed to love.

congratulated her, and Stephanie and I

a bit down and worried that something might be wrong with

great; make sure he lets you rest,” Stephanie advised and hugged me. Then turned to open her door

it this time?” Stephanie asked, obviously tired of Glenda

drama.

of it lately, and

annoying.

quickly, not wanting to hear whatever was troubling

my bedroom and

a hot bath to

to

rested in it.

about the next day, and

my

lower belly with a deep longing

to share.

wanted to have

I did not know I was

walked into the

quickly dried my tears.

approaching the

tried to smile.

in and knelt by

day?” he

smiled at him.

especially from your mother,” I said, and

to see you two are getting along,” he

in the bath.

so bad when

scooped some of the foam

his direction.

soaked together in

the room to dress for dinner.

dinner

the small dining room. Sylvester

he would not

his mother and brother.

to reconsider after the engagement dinner.

to the room, I noticed Linda and Theodore were not sitting closely.

clear she hadn’t told him, and I

I guess she was afraid of

his reaction.

The last

away.

run, she was afraid he might not be ready. I could see it in her

food was served, and I decided

the awkwardness between

them.

are you two going to Vino’s party together?”

Theodore said, and I realised they

to reconcile, so I wondered

in

his hand on my thigh to stay out

I refused.

alone in

who looked away. I

stunned, and

began to

Marcel told him,

he accepted.

“Congratulations,” Sylvester said,

happy for him, and

Linda close

her neck.

me.

have been moody,” He said and

tickling her

process.

tried to pretend to be angry but soon started

together. (1)