The Outcast Fate

flickering shadows across the wide open space. Tonight's gathering was meant to be a celebration, a rare evening where the

against the wooden bench, Serene leaned forward. Her voice was sharp, quiet,

ed in closer. They knew the tone. When Serene

o win her favor, grin

Publicly. She's already an outcast, but after tonight, she'll be a

yes lit

trip. Right in the center of attention. I'll make sure

ut in quickly. "I'll ma

ile widened

et Ove

had been wandering nearby. She hadn't meant to eavesdr

rstand why Serene hated Samantha so much, but she knew

ds. Alex's sword clanged as she blocked Ronan's strike, b

d breathlessly, s

ex asked, concer

planning something against Samantha. She and Cassius... th

ghtened. "Of c

n hardened. "We'

ad been helping set ou

m what?" she a

ler than before. "Serene pla

he wouldn't go that

erious? Serene lives to

uncertainty. "I don't want to retali

ulder. "There's a difference between

," Samantha muttered, but

ot. But you are. And we're not

therin

und the bonfire. The scent of roasted meat filled the air. Samantha arrived with Ronan and Alex flanking her like sil

clearing, her arms folded as she watched

near the firepit, preten

Derek

behind. He had a presence that quieted a room. As his golden eyes swept the crowd an

ervously. Suddenly, their

nned him down. Backin

, "Everyone! Let's hear a speech f

s turned. Samantha's c

ped forward, feigning an accidental

k St

fall, a strong ha

and found Derek standing b

e asked, his voi

she whisper

o Cassius, darkening. "What

ered, "It was

" Derek di

voice sickly sweet. "Derek, it

er. His focus remained on Samanth

ifted awkw

forward and yanked his arm hard. Cass

llapsed on

le

lau

t across the clearing. Serene scrambled to her feet, face

ms crossed. "You two like

, "You always

se she's not the one a

age. But before she could rep

e, though quiet, was unshakable. "I never took anything

at her, as if seeing her for the first time.

he watched. There was adm

inside Ser

s," she hissed, he

ord, she turned and s

ss, a strange unease filled her. For the first time, she

stincts whispered t

changed in S

e next... it wou