The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman

03 My Hands Are Tied (Book 2)

~Leo~

Honestly, Amelia was giving me the creeps. She sat at the table staring at me most of the morning. She wasn't doing anything wrong, but her grey eyes were difficult to ignore. It was as if she was waiting for something.

"It is afternoon, Alpha. What would you like to eat?" She asked me, standing up from her chair.

"Anything that will fill my stomach and make it for two," I told her.

"Yes, Alpha," she said and headed toward the Kitchen.

The moment she left the living room, I was grateful.

Finally, I could breathe.

I could swear she was staring at me with wolf eyes.

Black felt like he was being choked by it, and honestly, the rejection made me feel a little weak, but I did not care.

I could not ruin my life twice.

The fact that we were fated spoiled it, coupled with how I found her. Fate was like a plague, something I never wanted to discuss or experience again. Henceforth I make my own destiny.

" That girl seems mischievous," Black said, growling in my head. He did not trust her.

"Of course she is. She is a thief," I said, and he growled.

"Why to let her work in our house, Leo," he asked me, complaining about her presence.

"If she decides to revert to her old ways, she will be my mess to clean up," I told him, and he understood my reason. It was my way of helping her and keeping an eye on her.

I had instructed Macy to ensure she wasn't allowed anywhere other than my house. I did not want her stealing other people's things.

One hour later, just when I was about to get into what I was doing on my laptop, Amelia started arranging the table.

I honestly thought she would stay longer in the Kitchen. I guess I was wrong. I wasn't looking forward to eating food that she made, but I had hired her, and it would be mean not to try it.

"Food is ready, Alpha," She said gently, and I looked at the table. Three covered white dishes with a bow and plate were on the table. I put down my laptop and reluctantly went to the table to try what she had made.

"Mashed potatoes, gravy and lamb chops," She announced, and I hated to admit to her it was my favourite combo. I kept a straight face and sat at the table. She dished the food gently.

When I was about to start eating, I saw her take out her spoon and taste everything on my plate without asking me. She took one of the lamb chops with her hand and began to eat it.

I looked at her, surprised.

She had Gravy smeared on the corner of her lips on the right side. It would have been cute had she not overstepped.

"If you are hungry, you dish your food. You are not supposed to eat from my plate," I scolded her with my command, and she flinched.

"I was just tasting it to show it wasn't poisoned, Alpha. That was all," She said, and I felt a bit ashamed of myself after she said it. She moved away from me immediately.

Honestly, I did not want to be a jerk, but I just could not tolerate another fated; rejected or not, she was what she was.

I sighed and took a bite of the lamb chops, which tasted heavenly.

I had never eaten something that delicious before. It took a lot for me to stop Black from drooling.

I opened the dish containing the lamb chops hoping there was more, and I was glad to find more. It was perfectly cooked. The mashed potatoes were creamy, and Gravy was delicious to taste. The dish came together well, and I realised I had hired a chef.

Had she not been what she was, she would have had a good time working for me, but regardless of how delicious her meal was, I would be on my guard.

I finished the meal and hoped she had saved some for herself in the Kitchen.

I was about to leave the table when someone knocked on my door.

"It's open," I said, which was my preset response because I rarely ever locked my door now.

To my surprise, Kyle walked in, looking angry.

I did not need drama on a Saturday, but it seemed Kyle had brought his to my home. While I linked Amelia to clear the table, I left the table and attended to him.

I went to Kyle, and he looked past me toward the table and frowned.

"Since when did you have a live-in nanny?" He asked me, and I knew his thoughts were in the gutters.

"She isn't a live-in nanny, Kyle. She works for me and sleeps in the servant's quarters. One of the displaced people," I said, and he stared at her.

"Her eyes are creepy," He said, referring to her moonlight-coloured eyes. They made her seem a bit blind, but it was unique.

"I didn't notice," I lied, and he managed to look away from Amelia.

I offered him a seat on my couch, and he sat down.

"Why are you here? Brent is a long drive from here," I said, and he nodded.

"I need your help, Leo," he said, leaning forward.

"You are the head of the council, right?" He asked, and I nodded.

"I need you to throw out Linda's case," he said, and I frowned at him because I had no idea what he was talking about.

"What case?" I asked him, and he sighed.

" She sent me a letter asking for her things back. She said she wanted the land and money in my possession," He said, running his fingers through his hair.

"Those are mine now. My pack lives on part of the land, and I am using the money to run my business. I have even grown my wealth a bit. So I sent her a reply saying she is no longer part of the east, so she cannot own land in the east," He said, and I could not believe that Kyle could be stupid. I was mad at him.

"She said she would take it before the council," He said and sighed.

"So you want me to throw it out when her case is read?" I asked him, and he nodded.

"Are you stupid or something? Linda is a Lady now. She is above me. There is a possibility her husband will oversee the case," I told him and sighed.

"But you know her husband; you can talk to him. He is your friend," Kyle said, and I shook my head.

"You are crazy. I see it now. How the hell do you want me to talk to Theodore about his wife. Have you forgotten the beating he gave you?" I asked, and he bowed his head.

"She does not need any of the stuff. She just wants me to suffer. I am already suffering raising three children that aren't mine with a stupid mate that refused to leave. What more suffering does she want me to go through, Leo. Linda is wicked," He said, almost close to tears.

I knew what she was asking him to give up would ruin him, but he caused it. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"You weren't kind to that woman when she was your wife. You abused her, Kyle. You were worse than Max. You belittled your Luna. You ridiculed her. You allowed your Kappas to have their way with her for your entertainment.

Shit like that does not go away. Linda is a Delta, and you turned her into a kappa's plaything.

It is a miracle someone that high would want to be with her. No high-born or breed would ever touch a woman that Kappas have touched, regardless of her breed. It would be like sleeping with the help's woman; you ruined her," I said, and I heard something break just then.

I looked toward the table and saw that Amelia had dropped a dish.

"Great, you aren't just a thief but clumsy too. If you break anything else, you will pay for it," I scolded her, and she nodded, but I did not miss the tears that had welled up in her eyes.

There was no way what I said got to her. She was tough as nails and shameless. It was definitely something else. I chose not to ask her or bother about it.

I looked at Kyle, and he was a bit annoyed.

"I regret everything I did, and I have apologised to her. You know it," he argued, and I shook my head.

"There are situations when sorry is just a word because the damage cannot be fixed. What you did is unforgivable. No man should do that to the woman he claims to love. You have no right to claim anything. If truly you are resourceful, you will hand over the items and let go," I said, and he shook his head.

"You are supposed to be on my side, Leo. You are my friend. I was there before Sylvester, Theodore, Marcel, Devin and that crazy Volkov Dominic guy. I was there, Leo.

Whenever you needed help, I was there. No matter how fucked up I might have been, I never let you down, Leo. Why can't you side with me on this? Why can't you please help me plead my case and make her let it go?" He said, almost close to tears.

"I'm still your friend, Kyle, but I have no power over this. Linda and her husband are above me," I said, and he shook his head.

"You are my Alpha. You are the head Alpha of the east. You helped install Sylvester as King. They owe you! You must protect everything and everyone in your region. Linda belongs to the north now. You are supposed to protect me and my interest," he argued.

"And then what, Kyle? Say no and start a war? Is that what you want!" I yelled at him, sick of his tantrums.

"You aren't the only one with problems, Kyle! We all do. You aren't the only one that lost! We all did. Don't you think I want to do a lot of things? Don't you think I would like to take some things back?" I asked him, mad at him, then pointed at his chest.

"You fucked your life up. Deal with it, and stop looking for someone to hold your hands. Man up! You said you made some profits. Keep the profits you made and give her back her money and land. If you invest wisely, you can build your wealth again, but this will only lead to trouble, and I swear to you, Kyle. If Theodore comes for you, I will not get involved. He has been looking for a reason to deal with you for what you did. Do not give it to him," I warned Kyle, and he growled at me with frustration and stormed out of my house.

I knew what Linda was doing would ruin him. I knew she did not need those things. I knew she was trying to make him suffer, but my hands were tied. I hope he will be wise and do the right thing.