Page 3 of Falling Double: The Mating Grounds

“I’ll be fine, you’ll be fine, and Mom will definitely be fine. Don’t let this rattle you. You’re the youngest governor in a century, got to keep up appearances!”

She sniffs and looks up at me. “You’re right, but sending my younger brother off in my first official Choosing wasn’t exactly to plan, Reid!”

Chapter 2

Day of The Choosing

Parker

I stand around, my mind reeling, probably looking like an idiot, as I process what this all means. Not only will I lose Imani to someone else this year, but now I’m going to have to watch. And not just that! I’m going to have to find someone else—someone to create a family with. Someone that’s not her…

My stomach clenches, and I feel like I’m going to be sick.

My parents head toward me, and I feel bile rise in my throat. The idea of leaving them too? It’s too much to bear.

“Parker, want to help me track down the governor’s assistant and get all our details sorted?” Sean asks tentatively.

I let out a sigh of relief. “Yes, absolutely. I think I saw him just a minute ago.”

He throws an arm around me and steers me in the opposite direction of my approaching family, who then descend on Imani and Dominique, chatting animatedly.

My pulse feels rapid, and my breathing is getting shallower by the minute. Auras appear in my vision, and I stop walking, feeling faint.

Sean stops, looking at me worriedly. “You okay, man?”

“Not really, no. I feel like I fucked up—big time.” My hands shake, and I feel him grip the back of my neck tightly with one hand, holding me steady.

“Well, at least now you’re getting away from the big scary fuck up, right?” he prods. Steering me away from the crowd as he guides me to sit down and put my head between my knees.

“Right. Yeah. Never coming back,” I say, my voice muffled by my position, all the while trying not to lose my breakfast all over the cobblestones.

As I pack my things to leave, I resolve to pull myself together. I cannot be a shaky, sweaty, nervous mess this year. I cannot. I am determined to make the best of this. Bury this star-crossed, lovesick, kicked puppy shit down deep until I’m over it and can move on with my life. And let Imani move on with hers.

This was obviously never meant to be.

Chapter 3

3 Days After The Choosing

Reid

The journey to the Cria Zone was short and uneventful. After a truly heart-wrenching goodbye from Adrienne, and an indifferent wave from Mom, I was ready to be on the road and away.

Miya was mostly quiet on the journey, using our breaks to sketch and nap, which suited me fine. We’ve been living in the eligible dorms together, but we’ve never really hung out or talked much, just running in different circles. I noticed she chopped and bleached her hair though. Decided to make a splash at the Choosing, I guess, but it suits her. Makes her look less timid and more badass.

Upon arrival at the Cria compound we explored all the rooms, including the famous communal bunk room—a.k.a. the sex and sleep room—and stashed our stuff in the one set aside for the Derde Chosen.

It’s still wild to me they give us a bedroom with no beds where our stuff is and where we hang out, and then make us all sleep in one room together. Given the aim of the Choosing mandates, you’d think they’d give us a bit more privacy? But no, there is not one room where you get to be alone here. They even set up the bathroom to be communal, like a locker room, with multiple shower heads in one big shower.

It feels like you are always on display. I can’t say I love that, especially as more of a lone wolf myself.

I check the windows throughout the day for the telltale sight of a dust cloud announcing the arrival of more Chosen, and shortly before dinner, I am finally rewarded with one.

I head toward the front door to see who our new roommates—and possible partners—will be.

I open the door, and a short, golden-skinned woman immediately introduces herself as Ana and gives me her bag to take inside. I stifle a noise of surprise at her directness, and her male counterpart gives me an exasperated look, as if he’s at the end of his rope with her already.

He introduces himself. “Leo Afraad, pleased to meet you.”

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