Convincing Fate

Warning: Rated 18+

Due to strong languages and considering how the main leads meet, this story could be triggering to some readers. The scripting of the story does involve taboo subject such as relations of step-siblings. Read at your own well.

Alynna POV

I was halfway drunk yet unable to erase the image I’d walked into when I arrived home early to surprise my boyfriend of one year. I’d found him in our bed with my best friend. Rage like I’d never felt before gripped me. I screamed and thoughtlessly charged in, ready to tear the two into pieces. Brad jumped out of bed with surprise and tried to calm me down, while Jenny ran for her life out of the room. The betrayal and hurt had been too much. I refuse to listen to Brad’s lies and excuses. After screaming how I was done with him and delivering a slap across his treacherous face, I ran out of the house and drove off.

I meant to return to my mother to cool off, attend her wedding tomorrow, and think about what to do next. I didn’t ever want to go back to the house where my boyfriend betrayed me. Brad kept calling and texting until I shut off my phone and pulled into the first bar I saw off the highway. The bar was crowded, not surprising considering tonight was a Friday. All I wanted to do was drown my sorrow and self-pity until I couldn’t see the image of Brad and Jenny fucking in my bed anymore.

I swore off relationships as I nursed my current beer. Moments later, I thought I felt someone lean into my neck before hearing someone whisper, “mate.” I twisted my head towards the direction to see who the pervert was but noticed no one. The turn made my head spin, and I paused in my action. I’ve had enough alcohol if I’m imagining things. With that thought in mind, I stood up, intending to walk out for a breather. The presence of someone sliding onto the barstool next to me drew my attention.

Mesmerizing ocean blue eyes drew my gaze before I saw the whole package. The man looked like he belonged on the front page of a fashion magazine and dressed like it too. So lost I was in his stare that I hadn’t realized he spoke. Next thing I knew, I was in his arms and devouring his lips. I knew I should have stopped, and I had every intention of doing so, but I couldn’t seem to get enough of him. I can’t say with perfect honesty what happened next.

All I know is I woke up, sore in places I’ve never been sore before. I let out a groan and rolled over with a pounding headache. That’s when I realized I didn’t recognize the room. I sat up and was overcome with dizziness. Once that was settled, I noticed a shower running, and I was naked. Panic filled me as I scanned the room and saw all my things scattered on the floor. I jumped out of bed and quickly threw everything on, only pausing when I heard a male voice speaking.

Too embarrassed and ashamed to reply, I ran out of the door and rushed to find my way out of this place. Noticing stairs, I quickly made my way down and realized I was still at the bar I’d stopped at for a drink last night. Grateful I managed to grab my purse, I pulled my keys out and went straight to the exit door, unlocked it, and ran to my car. I drove off as though demons were on my tail.

Oh god, did I really just sleep with a random stranger I met while being under the influence? Shame and disgust of myself flooded my system. I was not that type of girl to be sleeping around. Then the rest of the night hit me, and I remembered why I stopped at the bar to begin with. Anger and sadness replaced my embarrassment. Tears rolled down my eyes, and I angrily wiped them away. I’ll deal with this pain later, I thought as I quickly glanced at the time. I was so late to my mother’s wedding!

Without looking, I dug into my purse to search for my phone and turned it on. Ignoring all the missed calls and texts from both the traitors, I called my mother to reassure her I was fine but explained I was running late and asked that I meet her at the venue. I knew she could hear it in my voice that something was wrong, but I promise to explain later. Today was her special day, and I wasn’t going to spoil this for her if I could help it.

It’s been ten years since my father passed, and finally, after all these years, my mother had found someone she could spend the rest of her days with. I’m happy for her. My mother was the best person I knew, and she deserved a second chance at happiness. She said they hit it off right away and were inseparable ever since. I knew she was lonely, especially after I left for college.

I’ve met Jeff a few times and can see how much he cared for my mother. He was a widower himself, having lost his wife almost twenty years ago. He’s retired from his family-owned business, so he has plenty of time to devote to my mother. Caleb, his son who was five years older than me and engaged, took over the running of the family business. I hadn’t met him yet. I met Claire, Jeff’s daughter, who was two years older than me, and her husband, Julius, yesterday.

Both couples were so in love with each other; the display of affection made me miss Brad so much, I decided to rush home to surprise him. I thought I’d spend the night at home with him before we had to wake up early to make the trip back for my mother’s big day. The original plan was for him to make the hour trip by himself so I could finally introduce him to my mother. He was my plus one for the wedding.

Thinking about Brad was upsetting me again, so I quickly pushed him out of my mind and turned the radio on. Thirty minutes later, I nodded a thank you at the guards who waved me through the entrance. Whatever business the Strikers owned made them rich. They lived on lush acres of privately owned forest lands, heavily guarded. My mother and I weren’t poor by any means, but she was definitely marrying well above our reach.

Parking my car at the same spot I did yesterday evening, I rushed out of my car and ran straight to the open front door. I needed a quick shower before I attempted to look decent.