Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121

The soft click of the door behind me is the only sound as I step back into the library. The weight of the conversation in Thane’s office still lingers on my chest like a heavy stone, but the quiet of the library space is almost a relief. The books, the smell of old leather and coffee, the silent city far down below the windows–all of it is a stark contrast to the chaos that’s running rampant inside me.

I left him in his office so he could find Griffin and give him instructions on what should happen next. And so I could take a minute for myself to try and corral my thoughts, and bring my erratic heartbeat to a normal rhythm.

I walk to the corner of the room near the fireplace, and my steps are slow and deliberate. I can still feel the heat of Thane’s presence like a phantom on my skin, and my heart won’t stop pounding in my chest. The bond between us is stronger than I want it to be, and it’s hard to ignore it when every instinct in my body wants to turn back and run straight into his arms.

But can’t. Not yet

around. The weight of what I’ve just There’s too much I don’t understand, too much about this world that I can’t even begin to wrap my learned–the danger, the power, the past–sits heavily on my shoulders. But the thing that unsettles me the most isn’t the supernatural world that I’m being pulled into. It’s the way I-feel about him

Thane Draeven, a vampire king. A man who commands respect and fear in equal measure. A man who can shatter a room with his rage. A man who, despite all of that, spent today doing what I wanted, tried new things and experiences for me, and even made space for me in his home.

I close my eyes for a moment and slowly take a breath in. My hands are still trembling slightly, not from fear, but from the overwhelming realization that this isn’t just a fling or some passing attraction. Not anymore. This… This is something more profound. Something that I don’t think either of us was ready for.

I force my eyes open, focusing on all the books around me. I’ll focus on this–on something tangible–while I sort through everything in my head, 1 decide. And as my fingers skim over the various spines, I find comfort in the familiarity of the tomes. But it isn’t long before my thoughts drift yet again to Thane. His voice, low and commanding, his eyes, intense with something I can’t name, his touch, that makes me feel safe and vulnerable all at once.

“God, Harley,” I mutter under my breath. “What the hell are you doing?”

A nervous laugh escapes me, and I shake my head, turning my attention back to the shelves. I try again to distract myself by organizing the books, but nothing seems to help. The weight of the truth is right there, burled underneath everything I’m trying to ignore.

He’s not just a vampire. He’s a king. He’s powerful, dangerous, and yet, in some strange way, he’s offering me something I didn’t think I could have his trust. His need for me.

But what does that mean for me?

The safe thing, the smart thing, would be to walk away, because I don’t belong in this world. I’m just a normal woman, and this whole situation is way over my head. I could disappear from his life, I could go back to what I know–things that are familiar, safe, and predictable.

And yet, here I am, standing in his penthouse, feeling drawn to him like a moth to a flame. The pull between us is undeniable and is strengthening with every moment we spend together, but I can’t just ignore the fear that’s gnawing at me. The fear that once I step into his world, there’s no coming back. Ever.

I pick up one of the last romance novels from the stack and run my fingers over the cover’s embossed lettering. Like most of the others, it’s a first edition. It’s the kind of book I never thought I’d have a chance to own. And now? Here I am, sitting in his world, surrounded by more wealth than I’ve ever known, or could fathom.

I put the book on the shelf with a sigh, feeling a little lost. I’m not used to this. I’m not used to being so…connected to someone, so tied to a situation I don’t fully understand.

glance at the vintage cuckoo clock on the wall. It’s late afternoon now, and the light filtering in through the windows is soft, the sun low in the dy, almost traching out to the horizon. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, lost in my thoughts, but it’s becoming clearer and clearer that 1

be able to avoid what’s happening between us for much longer.

I could walk away. And would [?

A part of me aches at the thought of leaving him, at the thought of walking out of this penthouse and never looking back, so much so that I have to wrap an arm around my middle to quiet the phantom pain like feeling. But another part of me, a stronger part, knows I’m not ready to leave.

I’m about to turn and start pacing to try and get rid of some of this pent–up energy, but then I hear a soft sound from the doorway. I look up and see Thane standing there, his broad frame filling the space, as he leans with one shoulder against the doorframe with his arms crossed casually. He’s just watching me quietly, his expression unreadable, and at the sight, my heart skips a beat

hoarse, like he’s just woken up from a long, restless sleep. “Tve been thinking about what we talked

I swallow hard, unsure of how to respond. The tension in the air is thick now, and I feel that pull toward him again, and this time it’s stronger than ever. But I don’t move towards him, not yet. I need him to come to me, if he’s willing.

Standing up straight, he steps closer to me, and I don’t move as I watch him approach, but my y breath catches in my throat.

“Harley, you don’t have to decide anything definitive right now,” he starts, his voice quiet but filled with an intensity that makes the air feel electric. “But I need you to understand something, I can’t promise you a life without danger, but I can promise you this: I’ll do everything in my powent to keep you safe. I won’t let anything happen to you. Not while I’m here.”

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