The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman

145 A Breaking Point

~Claudia~

The days went by fast. I needed to breathe to stop and think, but there was no time for it. Jake was recovering well, and Vino was training most of the time.

There were moments I had the urge to just leave because, deep down, I didn't see all of them coming home.

Sylvester's talk about what we should do if they fall got to me, making me wonder if I had been cursed. My husband died, and then I met my fated. It should be a happy feeling, but it wasn't because danger loomed from the moment I saw him. I did not know what to do. I was a woman of few words; somehow, my words had become fewer over the weeks.

Keeping calm amid everything was difficult, but I had to. I knew nothing would lift me up if I broke down, so this would have to do.

Jake had finally woken up, but sadly, he could not feel his wolf. Erik had told him to give it time, especially since he was still weak, but I doubted the time would work. Melvin had said that was one of the outcomes if anyone survived his lethal position. If Jake's wolf ever returns, then it would be a miracle. Stephanie did not seem to care about that; she was glad he was alive. I could understand her position. I would be grateful, too, if I were in her shoes.

I sat on the couch in Erik's lab, thinking about what I would do If I lost Vino and couldn't figure it out.

Life had mistreated me, and I doubted it would make an exception for me and bring Vino home to me.

I doubted it, but I had a tiny hope that he would survive. Amelia and Susan were on their way from the East, so I figured Vino's time to head to Gad was drawing near.

Was it possible to freeze time? I would wave a wand and freeze everything to have more time with him and the others. Could I be given that power?

"Claudia, you should retire. You do not look well," I heard Stephanie's voice. It snapped me out of my deep thought, and I looked at her.

I hadn't looked in the mirror in a while. I knew I looked awful, but I did not care. Nothing really mattered anymore.

I looked at her while she sat beside Jake's bed, holding onto his hand. The man had fallen back to sleep again, but he was in the clear.

"You should eat something, Stephanie. You have lost too much weight. I will ask the omegas to bring you something," I said, with a calm, unaffected tone, and she looked like she was more concerned about me than her health.

"Have some faith, Claudia. They will return in one peace. Sometimes faith is all it takes," she said, and I sighed because I had nothing to tell her.

"Thank you, Stephanie," I finally managed and got up. I headed out.

Erik was snoring on one of the beds in his lab. The man did not seem affected by all this. If anything, he was mad they won't be taking him to battle, but Sylvester's reasons were valid. He was too valuable. I have never met someone with a beautiful mind like Erik. He was a genius; having him die in battle would be a waste.

I headed back to the mansion or palace. I did not know what to call the building, but the thing was huge with many rooms.

I wondered if Vino, the triplets and I will have to live here once everything was over. Hopefully not, because I would go crazy.

I would prefer a place that I can make into a home. Something private and personal, with maybe just two Omegas in attendance and few security details. I wouldn't be able to deal in this building, but it wasn't up to me really because as things were, it seems, Vino would not want to be apart from his brothers. Whatever he decides, he has my full support.

I returned to our bedroom, and Vino was there. I was shocked to see him.

"Early," I said, and he smiled at me.

"yep, Sylvester decided we needed to spend time with our mates since we will be leaving tomorrow night," He said, and I was shocked.

"I thought you would be leaving next tomorrow in the morning," I said, and he shook his head.

"Leo's group will be joining us next tomorrow morning. We are going to Gad in secret to study the activities leading up to the night of the meeting. We will need an entire day to figure things out and position ourselves," He said, and I had nothing to say. I felt the numbness in my chest fading away and something else surging through. The numbness had been a shield to keep my emotions in check, but it was crumbling.

I felt a surge of rage coming, I think it was pent-up fear, anger and fatigue, but I felt it coursing through my veins in those moments. It was as if I had been forced to look in the mirror and was suddenly faced with an ugly truth.

I walked up to the vanity table where my lotion and perfume were, and just like that, my wolf tried to take over when I cleared the table violently and broke the mirror. Unable to handle my reflection and emotions.

"Claudia!" Vino said and rushed to me.

He held me from behind, and I began to growl. I had reached my breaking limits.

I growled so much.

"Shhh, it okay darling, It's okay, I am here," he said to my ears, holding me tightly and trying his best to calm me down. The anger dissipated, and in its place, I felt a deep sorrow and fear. I began to cry.

Vino held me to his chest and tried to calm me down. He kissed his mark on my neck, but it wasn't enough to drive away the demons looming in the corners of my mind.

I had held it together for a while and was suddenly broken.

"Please don't go," I pleaded with him, and he held me.

I pushed myself away from him, shaking my head vehemently like a mad woman trying to make sense of my thoughts, letting the words that come to mind escape my lips without restraint.

"Let's run away from here. Get the triplets, and let us leave. We can hide, and no one will find us. The King will understand. He will forgive us," I said, and he advanced towards me while I backed away until my back was against the wall.

"Claudia, please, I need you to calm down. Let's not spoil our moment like this. I need you to be strong for both of us. Please. I know you have tried, and I commend you for all you have done. I also know you are strong enough to chase the demons away. I promise I will come home to you, Claudia. I won't die. You won't lose me. I promise. If it means running away from the battle, I will do it but do not ask me not to stand with my brothers and fight. Yuri is equally my cross to bear. If Sylvester falls, he will come for the rest of us, my children too, until there is no Volkov left to claim the throne. Please, Claudia. You heard, Tamia, failure is not an option for us, so I need your support. Please. I need you to be strong," he said with a shaky voice, and I saw tears welling up in his eyes.

Vino reached me and pulled me back into his arms.

I am so sorry, my love. Had I known there was something this dangerous looming in the corner, I wouldn't have dragged you into this. I would have rejected you so you could have peace and not endure this amount of Trauma. I would have walked away…" He said, and I shook my head.

"No, no.. do not take it back. Do not make what we have to seem like a mistake that you regret. Don't," I pleaded with him.

"I do not regret it, darling; I just want you to know how much I wished I could protect you from this fear," he said, and I held on to him.

"Please come back to me. Make sure you come home no matter what," I pleaded with him, hoping he would be strong enough to make that promise. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Vino gazed into my eyes and stared deep into my soul.

"You and my daughters are all the reason I need to come home. I promise you. I won't fall in Gad," he said and kissed me. I held on to him tightly. Holding on to his promise.

"Make love to me," I said, and he lifted me bridal style to carry me to bed. There were emotions words could not express.