Page 19 of Sight of Fate

The man stalks toward us, his steps slow and purposeful, as if he’s giving us a warning. Like Alex and Brita, this man also has ice-blond hair. Silky smooth, it falls to his broad shoulders, framing his model-like features and intense gold eyes. Power emanates from him, making the hair on my arms rise. “Macklin. Teague.”

Both of them stand, but neither offers a greeting. Tension fills the air, as if they’re waiting for him to make a move. I bite the inside of my cheek, unable to tell if the man is angry or naturally this intense. Heads turn in our direction, their faces full of curiosity, while the noise around us dies. Silence descends, and I shift closer to Teague.

The man holds out his hand toward me, and I can’t help but feel the shift in the room the second he does it. “I’m Leif. Alpha, Clan Larsson. And you are?”

It was easy to avoid Alex’s handshake. Leif is another story. Sweat beads on my forehead as the air becomes even more charged. I scrutinize his face, trying to figure out his motive.

Leif’s gold eyes are gleaming with speculation and challenge. There’s a vibration to the air as if something bigger is at play. Darkness gathers in my peripheral. Damn it. Slowly, I reach out, hand trembling, praying that nothing happens, but my body knows it’s a fool’s wish.

Teague’s hand whips out and grabs my wrist before I can make contact.

“She’s with me,” he says tersely, his narrowed eyes conveying a silent message to the man while his thumb lightly rubs the inside of my wrist, where I’m sure he can feel how fast my heart is beating.

“Good to know,” Leif says with a chuckle. “Never thought I’d see it happen.” His gold eyes flick to Macklin. “And you?”

Macklin’s face is blank, but Leif must sense something because his eyebrows lift in surprise.

“I see,” he states slowly. “Doesn’t change the law. The one that governs us all.”

Law? Panicking, I tug my shaking hand from Teague’s grip.

Teague growls something under his breath about wolves with death wishes.

I look at him in confusion, but his murderous gaze is locked on Leif.

Macklin snarls. “Now’s not the time.”

Leif continues to stare at me, his hand held out. “It’s Charli’s choice. I’ll abide by her decision.”

What does that mean? I glance around. Everyone is staring at us with bated breath. But it no longer matters what I want. It’s too late to refuse. The vision is there. Waiting. Pulsing. And based on experience, ignoring it isn’t an option.

This was bound to happen. Like the rest of my life, it feels like I have few options. Resigned, I peer up at Teague, and his brows lower as he shakes his head. I know he’s telling me I don’t have to take Leif’s hand, but I no longer have that choice. Maybe it’s better if I find out how they’re going to react to my visions now instead of later. After all, the pass is still open. I can get in my car and leave. The world blurs, and I know I can’t hold it off any longer.

My gaze swings to Leif, and for a second, I relish the look of surprise in his eyes as I slide my hand into his. Fear skates down my spine, but I close my eyes and let the vision take hold.

Wind and fire race through the prairie, keeping pace with the pack of white wolves as they streak across the burning grass. My breathing picks up as if I’m running with them. They crest a hill and come to a screeching halt, their eyes landing on the charred remains of the cabin below. Not a wall is left standing, only cinder and ash. The leader howls, long and low, a song of fury and devastation, and the air fills with a mournful lament as the other wolves join him. Features contort, and the wolf becomes a man. Leif. His howl becomes a roar of anguish and heartbreak.

“Annika!”

I gasp, and a tear slips down my face. “Annika.”

Leif’s hand jerks in mine, but I grip it tighter, needing to see the rest. Images rapidly flip by, then slowly fade to dark. I open my eyes and stare at Leif. Man…and wolf. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d have never believed it. How is this possible? Tremors turn into a full-body shake.

Teague reaches over and plucks me out of the booth as if I weigh nothing. “Get the fuck out of my way.”

“Wait,” Leif says, his brows drawn together in confusion.

Macklin shoves Leif against the wall. “I’ll be back later to settle this.”

Wrapping my arms around Teague’s neck, I bury my face in his chest, needing something solid to cling to as the aftereffects smash through my usual barriers. Rage fills me, from somewhere deep inside, along with the need to punch somebody, but it’s not my anger I’m feeling. Shaking, I slowly lift my head to stare at the man carrying me, wondering how I know it’s him.

“Are you mad at me?” I whisper.

He inhales sharply and shakes his head. The violent emotions cut off as if someone flipped a switch.

“No, sweetheart. I’m angry at Leif,” he assures me as he strides through the restaurant and out to the SUV. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

I search his sterling blue-grey eyes and find nothing but steady calm, and with a sigh of relief, I let my head fall back onto his chest.