Fighting Fate (Runaway Angel book 3)

Ares

**Roman's POV**

I don't know what happened. One minute I am telling Amelia how beautiful she is, then I look at her lips and imagine kissing her. Like really imagine it, full on envision it. Then f*****g Ares takes advantage and gains control. I was stuck in the back of my mind, watching him touch her. I wasn't jealous, she didn't just belong to me, she was Ares' too. But I was afraid. Afraid he was going to do something that was too much for her. 

(Chill out, I just want to be able to touch her. You never let me have time with her.) Because I don't trust you, Ares. 

(Well you should, I love her. Absolutely cherish her.) Yea and you are also yelling at me everyday to mark her. 

(Shut up, you're ruining this for me.)

That fucker mind blocked me. He has never mind blocked me!!! I was forced to watch him touch her and be close to her while I prayed that he didn't lose control. 

"You're hurting me." Amelia whispered. I was about to start fighting like crazy for control, but surprisingly Ares immediately let her go. 

I know it wasn't easy for him, I can feel his restraint, but I was happy that he was willing to fight his natural instincts to make sure he didn't make her uncomfortable. Maybe I could trust Ares. Maybe. But for now it was good to try and keep my guard up. Amelia is getting so much more beautiful everyday and our love for her grows more and more. Every touch, every laugh we share, I have a need for her that is getting almost impossible to control. Not sexually, but emotionally. I need her heart, her love. 

**Ares POV**

Every passing day it was getting harder to not claim Amelia. I have known she was mine since our first shift when Roman was thirteen. As soon as I gained all access to Roman's memories, his thoughts, his feelings. I saw her. I only see her. We were just kids then so I only had a need to be around her. To be her friend, her protector. I still feel that, but now its intensified. I want her love. I want her laughter and smile to be because of me. I want to be able to hold her, and kiss her. Obviously I want to claim her, have her in my bed. But she isn't ready for that, and I don't mind waiting. I would wait a hundred years for her. Hopefully I don't have to though. 

I know everything about Amelia. I know what makes her laugh, what makes her sad. I know she is ticklish on her right foot, but not her left. She loves when her hair is played with, and when the center of the back of her neck is rubbed. I also know that she feels like an outcast. She knows she is loved, but she feels like she doesn't belong. I would do anything in my power to change that. I hope when she is eighteen she feels SOMETHING for us. Just even a little crush, cause then I can build from that. I just want one chance to love her how she deserves. 

Roman has been getting on my nerves. I want to meet her, be able to actually hold her and talk to her. He won't let me. I know I tend to get a little possessive of her, but can you blame me? She's my mate and I can't claim her yet. I hate when other males look at her. Even worse I hate their thoughts of her. I know Amelia thinks I am just over exaggerating, but if she heard the things they want to do to her, she would never want to leave my side. f*****g perverts. She's my mate and even I don't think about those things yet. 

When I saw Marcus trying to touch her. Something in me wanted to come forward and rip his f*****g head off. I kept cool though because I didn't want to frighten Amelia. Then that asshole had the nerve to say Roman went on a date with Tiana. I saw the look Amelia had on her face. She was confused and hurt. Roman needs to explain to her what exactly happened. Tiana is f*****g annoying. 

I settled down once we were in the kitchen. I loved it when it was just us and Amelia. There was no reason to be alert, no reason to be on edge. These moments I can just relax and study every detail about the girl I love. I was so lost in memorizing every detail of her face when Roman had a very vivid thought of kissing her. Not just a small kiss, but a full make out session. His guard was down so I leapt at the opportunity. He put up a good fight, but because I caught him by surprise he lost. 

I was finally in control. She was here, in front of me. I could feel her skin, its softer than I imagined. I could feel her deep breaths on my neck. Goddess, it gave me goosebumps. I rubbed down her body carefully. Wanting to savor this, but not frighten her. It was so hard to fight back my natural instinct to mark her, but I knew it would be so much better once she accepted me. Accepted us. 

"Ares." She whispered. f**k that did something to me. Ignited a part of me I didn't know was there. "You're hurting me." I instantly loosened my grip. I would never hurt her. Never. 

Every touch was heaven. It wasn't much, but it was just enough. This is all I wanted, a few moments with my mate. I don't know why Roman doesn't trust me, I would never do anything to force a bond with her. She's my world just as much as she is his. I buried my nose in the crook of her neck. She smelled amazing. I decided to scent her. I know Roman is going to be unhappy, but knowing there is some type of claim on her will keep me calm. Its exhausting being so worked up every day. 

I wanted to taste her lips. Feel how soft they were, but she wasn't mine to kiss first. Even though she is mine as much as she is Roman's. He deserves her first kiss. I was finally satisfied with my few moments, and gave Roman back control. I love you, Amelia. I'll wait for you forever. 

**Amelia's POV**

When we got into town, wherever we walked, the people kept a good distance from us. Even though wolves liked their space, I wasn't a wolf. It kind of hurt knowing that people would avoid me just because I am not technically one of them either. That always made me feel like I don't have a place in the world at all. I am not a wolf so I don't belong in the pack, but my family are all wolves so I don't belong with humans either. 

Roman noticed my discomfort and he pulled me further into his side and kissed the top of my head. "You belong with me. That's all that matters." He whispered. 

Sometimes I loved the way he just knew my mind. Then my mind drifted off to what Marcus said about Roman and Tiana. I felt my face fall, and I looked at the ground as we walked. Did I have the right to feel hurt? I mean I can only turn Roman down so many times before he gets tired of waiting. It also wouldn't be fair to keep him waiting and then I decide I have no interest in anything further than a friendship with him. 

We walked into the store and I immediately went to the swim suit section. I found a few that I liked. Some one pieces, a few bikinis. There was one that specifically caught my eye. It was so out of my comfort zone, but I know it would look so great on me! Plus, we would be away from the pack so I wouldn't have to worry about the normal perverts watching me. I found my size and decided to try it on. Roman wanted to see when I tried them on but I refused. I knew he wouldn't let me get the daring one, and the other bikini I liked. He would call me crazy and make me buy the one pieces. So instead I told him he had to wait. He paid, and we went to a few other stores. I didn't need much, but Roman insisted he got me some new luggage, a sun hat, some cute sandals, and some sunglasses. He loved to shower me with gifts, but just like my mom I was never materialistic. I do love that we are in a small town though. That means nothing designer. I would die before I ever spent more than thirty dollars on a swim suit. 

We got some lunch at the little family owned restaurant around the corner. We were seated immediately as always. I ordered the chicken parmesan while he had the steak. I have to say this man loves his red meat. We sat in a weird silence while we waited for our food, but I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't go on this trip if I was going to be tortured by Tiana when we got back for stealing her man or whatever. 

"So." I spoke up. His eyes locked on mine and I instantly grew nervous. "Tiana?"

His face fell and he looked sad. I guess there is something going on between them. "Nothing happened. Not anything like Marcus was trying to imply." He leaned back in his booth and crossed his arms. He seemed to be really defensive. "She told me in class that she was having a study group at her house Thursday night. I know her and a few other students were struggling with the economics lesson, so she asked me to come and help. Her friends all said that they would be there and they would really appreciate it if I helped them all. So I went. It was right after school, so when I showed up to her house and she was alone I didn't think nothing of it. I figured some kids went home to change or some grabbed something to eat. Well after about an hour I got uncomfortable and tried to leave. She insisted that they would be there soon so I stayed. Another thirty minutes went by and I told her that we could set up the next group for the next day at the school so we wouldn't have the problem of having to meet up anywhere. I got up to leave and she tried to straddle me. My wolf and I got angry and we tossed her off immediately, but she pulled me down with her. So when a few people walked in the front door it looked like I was on top of her. Word got around and I guess Marcus and everyone else thinks something happened."

It angered me hearing that Tiana was throwing herself on him like that. Even though he wasn't mine, he obviously doesn't have any interest in her. "Okay." I simply said. I never doubted Roman. I know he would never lie to me so when he said nothing happened I believed him. 

"Okay?" He questioned. "That's it?" 

I shrugged my shoulders and laughed a little. "What did you expect? I trust you, Roman. If you say nothing happened then I believe you."

He looked at me with his mouth open and eyes wide. "What about when people try and tell you otherwise? What if Tiana tries to get in your head?"

I laughed a little at how worried he was. "Roman, I've known you since I was two. I trust you, not them." He smiled big and his body relaxed. "So she straddled you, huh?" I joked. 

He groaned and had a disgusting look on his face. "Ugh, don't remind me." I giggled at his expense, but he just stared at me. "Can I sit next to you?" 

I stopped giggling and swallowed a lump in my throat. "These are really small booths." He just nodded, but never took his eyes off me. "Okay." I whispered. 

His smile spread across his face and he stood and walked over on my side. He slid in and I scooted as far as I could to give him room. He pulled me closer into his right side and rested his arm around my shoulders. "Is this okay?" He whispered in my ear. 

Truth be told it was nice. I never had a problem being close to him, but this was a little more intimate. But again it felt like home. Like I belonged in his arms. I rested my head on his chest and he rested his chin on my head. "I like this." I admitted. Then I tangled my left hand into his and stared at our fingers.

Roman breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm happy you do. I really love this. This is heaven for me."

This was heaven to me too, but I'm not ready to say that out loud. Maybe I could fall for Roman. If I let myself stop worrying about what the Moon Goddess decided, and just let things happen, maybe I can fall in love with my best friend. It wouldn't be such a bad thing accepting someone who loves me like this.