Page 7 of Broken Fate
The clerk scribbled something on her paper that might have vaguely been my name. It was so messy, could anyone even could read it?
“Is there something else I can help you with?” the clerk asked snippily, looking up at last.
“Uh,” I stammered. What was the hostility for? “Do you need—”
“Just your name is fine. Move along,” the woman said, shooing me away with one hand.
I shuffled to the side, staring in shock. The Fate Night ceremony was supposed to be abigdeal. It happened twice a year, and a full three-day festival accompanied each one starting the day after.
Yet the clerk didn’t seem to have the slightest ounce of care. There was no energy or happiness for those about to undergo the most important night of their lives. Just a simple disdain for anyone who impeded her. As if we’d all been through it as often as she had.
Was that life in the big city? Slowly becoming jaded about everything around you? I stared, taking note of how many people looked bored. Rushed. Irritated. Uncaring.
Even some of the other young shifters in line had similar expressions. Weren’t they pumped up? Excited to meet their mates? My parents—and Clive’s—had been trying to build our enthusiasm for this day for over a year now. Talking it up like it was the greatest thing ever.
There were a lot of people whodidlook excited and eager. Most of those in line, in fact. Many of the girls had moon eyes, likely already dreaming of their future mates and the families they would create. The men stood tall, puffing out their chests like birds fanning their feathers, trying to attract a mate. It was almost comical.
Most were happy or excited. But not all. I saw several well-dressed women who seemed utterly unconcerned by it all. By their robes, they were from noble families, and when one of them caught me staring, her lip pulled back in a sneer. I hurriedly turned away and made my way into the crowd before she could memorize my face. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself.
A hand landed on my shoulder. I spun, arms coming up in a defensive pose, but relaxed as I recognized Clint.
“Everything okay?” he asked, looking behind. “You took off like a bat out of hell.”
“Yeah, yeah, everything is fine,” I said, shrugging his hand off.
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
“I am,” I said, patting his arm. “Thanks for looking out for me.”
He nodded, staring at me. “You sure you’re okay? You’re acting kind of weird.”
“I’m fine,” I said firmly as my parents approached. “I have to go. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
“Yeah, sure,” he said, letting me go.
“I’ll see you later,” I said to Clive, eager to get out of the palace and away from the Fate Stone.
My wolf whined softly as I took us away from the stone. She pawed gently at my mind, trying to get me to turn around and go back.Shewanted to be mated and couldn’t understand why I was having so much difficulty with the idea.
I’m sorry, I told her.I’m just not ready.
My mother and father settled by my side. I listened with half an ear to my father talk about where we were staying that night and the rest of the Fate Festival.
On the outside, I tried to appear calm and collected. On the inside, I struggled to contain the turmoil rapidly building as nightfall neared.
I only had to hold it together for a bit longer. Just a few more hours, then it would be over and done with.
Just a little longer …
Chapter Five
Resignation filled my shoes as my parents escorted me back toward the Alpha’s palace. Night had fallen. The stars twinkled high above, seemingly extra bright as if they knew this night was special.
All across the Canis Empire, other young shifters would be doing as I was, albeit with eagerness and excitement. Around me, people smiled and shouted good tidings at those heading to the palace to be mated. An air of celebration filled Arcadia as everyone not immediately involved with the ceremony waited for the festival to begin.
Once the last shifter had touched the Fate Stone, bells would ring. Then music would play, casks would be tapped, fireworks would go off, and the Fate Festival would begin. It would go long into the night. Newly mated shifters would dance and be feted by family, friends, and loved ones before going off into the night to find some privacy and introduce their wolves to one another. Under the starlight, each couple would give themselves to one another for the first time.
My throat tightened, nerves beginning to get the better of me as we got closer. Each step on the uneven cobblestones of the street seemed to drag out, the buildings stretching forward into some sort of tunnel that never ended, pulling me into their depths.
