The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman

107 Ready To Leave

~Leo~

Morning finally came, and it was time to head to the north. I felt uneasy about the trip but knew it must be my nerves. I was a bit unsettled about it.

"You need to relax, you know," Amelia said, hugging me from behind when she joined me in the shower. I touched her hand on my chest and turned to look at her. She looked relaxed and more put together than I did. I bet the women had more fun than us because we spent our time planning and discussing our moves.

I bent to kiss her, and she returned the kiss wholeheartedly. I wasn't going to pass off on the opportunity to make love to her before the day started. So, I backed her against the wall, lifted her, and buried myself. She was eager and ready for it. We both wanted the same thing. Desire rose in me, and my body moved on its own, grateful for the comfort I was getting and the love Amelia was giving. I waited for her to come before I let myself finish. Then I took my time to wash her body gently. Her hair was growing fast, and she had almost six inches of her actual hair colour. I could not get enough of my mate and could not wait for the blue moon to marry her.

We did not need it but chose to copy Tamia and Sylvester. Sylvester told me the feeling was intense on the blue moon night. Since my only experience was with a chosen, I wanted to experience it this time with a fated.

It would also make every Bluemoon night memorable for us. I was glad she wouldn't be heavy by then, so shifting for the wolf-claiming ceremony would be easy for Amelia.

We left the shower and started preparing for the trip.

Our bags were packed with the hope that we would not need to spend more than a week in the north because I could not leave the east unattended.

I trusted everyone that I would be leaving behind, but I was still Head alpha. It was my duty to ensure things were running well in the east; that was my first assignment before any office I occupied, and I did not take it likely.

"I think we should disguise Erik as a woman," Amelia said, wearing an elegant, short cream dress. It had short sleeves and a round neck. She looked serious and smart at the same time.

I saw a burgundy jacket that she planned to wear with it and realised she planned to travel in style.

Her sense of fashion had improved in a short period. Why wouldn't it be so when Linda was her best friend? They were inseparable, and Susan had somehow joined the mix. It was amazing to see how women paired up, even among friends.

"Why should we dress Erik up as a woman? I doubt that man would appreciate it," I said, and she shrugged.

"He is too small to pass off as a kappa, and if he travels with you as a male secretary, Yuri's spies would know it is him.

His size is unusual for a male. He might have had a congenital disability that must have caused his stunt growth, but whether we like it or not, Yuri cannot know he is travelling with us. He is one of the main targets too, you know," She said, slipping on her jacket.

"But that would mean shaving his beard and wearing him make-up. I doubt he would want that," I said, and she got angry.

"I am for whatever you all are doing: I am in full support, but I will not risk my life and that of my friends and the man I love because the dude cares about his looks.

Either he chooses to listen, or we leave him alone to figure it out. And that means sending him back to his underground lab. Honestly, I do not care about the AgK32, we did good without it in

Brentwood, and I am sure Sylvester would have tons of Nitric Acid in the north. We cannot allow Erik to feel irreplaceable. He has to dress like a woman to join us. That way, I will pass him as one of my maids. He won't be noticed. He would fit in with the nurses. I know it is harsh, but that is my stance, Leo," She said, and her tone indicated she wasn't joking. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Our flight was for twelve in the afternoon; I decided to speak to Erik about it and find a more excellent, respectful way to do it. So I chose to link my father.

"Father, I need you to join me in Erik's room. I need to tell him something, and he might find it offensive," I linked my father, and it took a few seconds before he responded.

"Good morning, Leo, what a way to say hello to your father in the morning," He reprimanded me, and I was a bit ashamed of myself.

"I am sorry; it's just that it was urgent," I replied, and he asked me why I wanted to see Erik in the morning. I explained my reasons to him.

"I do not think he would appreciate that, Leo; He is very emotional about his looks. He would find it insulting," My father responded, and just like Amelia had said, I did not care either.

"It is either that or he goes back to Hayland. We have enough trouble to deal with, and he has a bullseye on him. I cannot risk the rest of us because his feelings would be hurt. We are all making sacrifices here; he should do the same. It is just until we get to the Volkov estate then he is free to be himself again. That shouldn't be too hard for him to do," I said, and my father was silent.

"Okay, I will join you in his room. I understand your point," he finally agreed, and I closed off the link.

"Are you coming for breakfast?" Amelia asked, and I nodded.

"I will join you in the dining room after I have dealt with Erik's disguise," I replied, and she smiled at me.

"Just stand your ground. The man should get over it already; Every Stepanov has something wrong with them. But his feelings aren't more important than our lives and safety," She said by the door. She had changed her clothes and slipped on a simple dress.

"What about the other dress?" I asked, a bit disappointed. I liked what she was wearing, but it wasn't as lovely as the cream dress she had on earlier.

"Over there," She pointed at the couch. She hand-draped the dress and jacket carefully on the backrest.

"I will wear it when we are about to leave. I plan to eat a lot of food, and I do not want to get it dirty," she said, explaining her reason, and I smiled.

I remembered how she ate yesterday, so I could understand her motives. Her appetite had grown.

I was also grateful I did not sit with her in the bathroom to throw up this morning. Her body must be adjusting and adapting fast. I was too overjoyed about the pregnancy and could not wait to hold our children. She left, and I decided to copy Amelia and wear something simple.

I left the room and headed towards Erik's bedroom. I was nervous about facing the man. He had a thing about him that would make people not want to hurt his feelings; he was also creepy.

I smelled my father at the door of his room, and before I knocked, I heard Erik's loud voice complaining bitterly.

"How dare he insult me like that!" he said, knowing my father must have told him what I said.

I knocked immediately and let myself in before they even asked me to come in.

They stopped arguing, and both looked in my direction. My father had not showered, and likewise, Erik too.

"What is this I hear about addressing me like a woman, Leonardo?" Erik asked, pronouncing my full name.

"Because you cannot fit in with the Kappas or as a male unnoticed, your size would be noticeable quickly," I said, and he growled at me.

"Figure it out because there is no way I am shaving my beard and dressing like a woman," he said, and I took a deep breath deciding to be mean and command him as an alpha. Whether he liked it or not, He was still a Delta, and I had experience with Deltas. They were almost alike, always wanting to show why they should be respected.

"You will shave your beard and dress like a woman because there is no way I will risk our lives for the sake of your ego. If you do not like it, you can find your way to the north or return to Hayland. Gordon has been arrested, so you have no problem other than Yuri. The choice is yours," I said sternly, and we were all silent.

He managed a stern look on his face thinking I would falter, then I added.

"We can do without your AgK32. We plan to strategise without it if you prove too difficult," I added, and his face dropped because that was one of his powerful bargaining chips.

"You want to go back on your words?" he asked, trying to put words in my mouth to justify whatever action he would take next, and I shook my head.

"Sylvester does not break his promises. But I won't risk our lives for the sake of your ego. We will still go to the north and do what we must, but we will be making the trip without you if you choose to kick against our idea," I said, and he bowed his head and sighed.

"My mother dropped me by accident when she tried to get Yuri. Many operations were carried on me in the east so I could survive. It stunted my growth," He said in pain, and I could understand

him, but still, he would have to get rid of the beard and dress like a woman.

He looked at me and nodded.

"Very well, as long as no pictures are taken, I will do it," he agreed, and I was relieved. I also did not know how to tell him that there were always paparazzi at the airport in Lucland. I figured keeping silent about it was for the best.

"Good, we need to eat and head to the airport right away," I said, looking at the time. It was nine in the morning already. We just had three hours before our flight.