Testing Fate (3 page)

“That was never my intention. The destined meeting was the following day. The foreordained blind date had been accepted; and in the morning, they were to be brought together. While I cannot reveal all details, my involvement was necessary. I felt it strongly and acted accordingly.”

“It is not your role as Moirai to
feel
, Klothos. Yours is to watch over mankind and make sure everything runs as it should. You herald in each birth and make sure every string remains unhindered and untangled until it is time to cut, sending the person onto either their eternal reward or damnation. It’s what has been done since the beginning of time and will continue until the gods declare it is over,” Lakhesis answered, reproach blazing in her tone. She shook her head at Klothos, gesturing toward us. “There was no intervention required. No need for magical involvement. Everything was as it was meant to be.”

“And what do you mean by
you cannot reveal all details
? You do not work alone. We work together, all decisions made as a unit. If you deemed an intervention imperative, you should’ve brought it to us for discussion,” Atropos added. “None of us acts alone on a whim or fancy.”

“I assure you, sisters, it was no spontaneous judgment on my part. And even now, I’m not at liberty to divulge the source of my resolve. Just know that I knew, without any doubt, I needed to step in. That is all I can say. I am truly sorry.”

I studied Klothos and marveled at her bravery. Her involvement had definitely messed things up, but even I could respect that she didn’t cower under the disbelieving interrogation from her sisters. I didn’t understand why she seemed to hedge on disclosing everything, and gazing around the room, neither did anyone else. Judging from the pulsing power that had returned to the room, the obvious division between the Fates was a new issue.

“I demand you tell us,” Lakhesis thundered. “Reveal your reasoning. Explain why you broke protocol.”

I flinched over the forceful command and waited anxiously. There was clearly trouble brewing in paradise and I wished there was a way for Mason, Devlin, and me to escape. This new development, a Moirai acting solo, didn’t really have anything to do with us. My anger toward Klothos continued to diminish as I witnessed her take an unbendable stand against those she’d worked beside for centuries.

“I cannot tell you. Not yet. Not until the vision I had plays out to its fullest. I do not know why this burden has fallen solely on my shoulders, but bear it I must. Please don’t ask me this again,” Klothos beseeched. “Please.”

Atropos placed her hand on Lakhesis’ forearm, silencing whatever comment she was ready to utter. Something passed between the two and Lakhesis visibly relaxed—her features returning to one of peaceful contemplation.

“As you wish. We will afford you the time you need.” She bowed her head toward Klothos who smiled in return. “This still doesn’t resolve the concern, however, between Darcy, Mason, and their fated mating. For whatever reason, we were still involved in their meeting . . . something that shouldn’t have occurred. Judgment needs to be delivered on how to rectify it.”

“Why must we adjudicate, still? Have I not said there was a reason behind my involvement? I know you have limited information, but no damage occurred. Darcy is still Mason’s rightful mate, despite what the other female werewolf decrees. Plus, our word is law in this matter. Can we not just say it is so?” Klothos’ attention bounced between her two sisters as she begged for understanding.

“The law was broken and justice must be meted out. A simple declaration won’t return everything to its original status. Amends must be made—restitution exacted. There is no other way.”

I expected Klothos to request leniency, to assure her sisters that no punishment was necessary because we’d done nothing wrong. I waited for her to assume the responsibility for her involvement and take the verdict burden onto herself. She’d stated she acted honorably—now was the time for her to step forward and prove it. Disappointment crushed me when she continued standing quietly, tight lipped and straight faced. Despite everything she’d just spoken, the truth was still shadowed in secrecy. Klothos didn’t speak up in our defense.

“Are you suggesting Darcy and I must be penalized for something we neither instigated nor wanted?” Mason asked, leaning forward in his chair. His own power crackled in the air around us, the mantle he held as Alpha teasing my senses as his wolf stirred. He still kept his tone respectful, but there was no denying his frustration and disbelief.

“I agree with Mason’s question,” Devlin added. “While we respect your authority here and understand that this turn in events altered their destinies, it was not at their requests. This is something between the Fates—a matter you three must resolve and restore. I don’t see why Mason and Darcy must pay the price.”

Devlin and Mason obviously didn’t anger them because there was no repeat in theatrics from earlier and the three women continued to lounge on their chaises. Only Atropos revealed any reaction, when her eyebrows rose in surprise. Seconds later, her features smoothed and she reached over for a strawberry to chew on—thoughtfully.

“Have we not already determined these matters are for us, alone, to decide, Enforcer? Have we not already said that you don’t dictate what occurs here? We don’t need to help you understand. We don’t have to explain our musings or findings. You are at our mercy, our leniency and our generosity. If we decree this couple must make restitution to rectify the problem, then so shall it be. Remember your place . . .  all of you.” Atropos glanced at us, momentarily holding eye contact to drive her point home.

My stomach sunk at her declaration. One thing I cherished most about Mason and the way he governed over the Pack and interacted with people in general, was his consistency in dealing fairly with everyone. He’d earned respect and loyalty from others, because his decisions and judgments were always sound—revealing his common sense along with the ability to see to the heart of things. I’d taken it for granted, expecting everyone to hold the same standards. It was obvious this wasn’t the case here. For a group who stated they didn’t act on whim and fancy, this situation reeked of it.

“I see your condemnation, young Darcy,” Atropos added. “I see in your eyes you don’t agree. I would even say you deem my words unfair. I’m not used to having my authority questioned, but I will have you know this is the way things have been. These are the laws that everything has been predicated upon and how we have reigned since the beginning of time. When rules are broken, someone must pay the price. To deviate from what has always been done would reduce us to chaos and that is something we cannot allow.”

“May I have permission to speak freely?” I asked, directing my request to Atropos. When she inclined her head in acceptance, I took courage. “It seems to me the rules are archaic. I’m sure that in the past your judgments have been appropriate, but clearly in this case something else must happen. Mason and I are not the offenders. We are not guilty of any crime other than we both shared the same dream. I appeal to your sense of honor and integrity . . . surely something else can be done.”

All three Moirai were quiet. Mason and Devlin sat beside me still and I could hear the sound of my heart thudding in my chest. Everything hinged on how they answered—damnation or redemption. Punishment or reprieve.

Lakhesis looked over at me and beckoned for me to approach. “Come Darcy. Share with us this dream you had the day before you met Mason. Maybe that can help us decide.”

Standing, I quickly glanced at Mason and Devlin, not sure where this could lead us. I didn’t know what was left to decide—Klothos’ admission made it apparent who was at fault. I closed my eyes and began digging through my mind for the cherished memory. As the familiarity came over me, I smiled.

This was something they couldn’t take away from me.

Chapter Three

The dream had surprised me. I remember standing in the middle of the street, clutching a bright yellow flyer in my hand. None of the landmarks were recognizable. The tall, looming buildings that filled both sides of the road, the random parked cars, and the flickering signs in store windows were all foreign to me. Confusion washed through me and one glance at the paper in my hand only compounded it.

Whoever had created it boldly claimed to know my heart’s desire in finding true love and challenged me to take a risk and go to the advertised address. Judging from the paper’s crumpled texture and appearance; I’d discarded the ludicrous invitation only to smooth it out again.  The mystery place was located on Pierce Street and sure enough, the street sign above my head bore the same name.

Feeling somewhat courageous, I rounded the corner and scoped out the area before approaching my destination. My first impression was that it was similar to the other buildings surrounding it; but silent warning bells began ringing when I noticed that all of them were empty—no lights or signs of life. I had assumed my destination would be a store or even a nightclub—someplace that would use cheesy gimmicks to draw in customers. The closer I looked, however, the more I realized something wasn’t right. Broken shards of glass jutted from the broken windows and trash littered the neighboring alley.

The flyer had mentioned finding my soul mate. Shaking my head, I was disappointed in myself for believing. It certainly didn’t look like the place where the future Mr. Destiny was to be found. It was more like a location to find Mr. Lost and Homeless. I studied the paper again, my brows furrowing into a worried frown. The safe bet would be to go home and forget all about it, yet something kept drawing my attention back to the vacated premises. What was even stranger was my lack of fear. I was more curious than anything, wanting to know whether the information on the flyer was for real.

I took a deep breath and threw caution to the wind, determined to uncover the truth.

Standing right next to the building, I examined it more closely. I approached the front door, which was perched atop a dilapidated set of steps and notice it was boarded over. I climbed the short staircase and pushed hard with my werewolf strength. It didn’t budge, the force of my body doing nothing to dislodge it. The exposed door handle looked corroded and when I placed my hand over it, rusted flakes sprinkled to the ground. There would be no getting in this way.

Why can’t things be easy?
I thought, shaking my head in frustration.

I paced around the front, looking for another way in. I even entertained the idea of shimming through the lower floor windows, but the jagged glass shards were shiny, sharp reminders of how quickly I’d slice and dice myself if I was foolish enough to try that option.

There has to be a way in.
I pocketed the flyer and gingerly touched the closest window frame. Without placing any pressure, a small line of blood began welling on my skin and I sucked on my finger—easing the slight sting. The only possible entrance left uninspected was the building’s side, in the alleyway.

Judging from the unpleasant smells wafting from that direction, I could only imagine what I’d find. Making sure I was still alone, I silently prayed there was no danger lurking in the dark shadows. I still didn’t know whether this was a set up or legit. Letting my curiosity dictate again, I entered the narrow alley.

 The stench hit me—the decaying neglect, blatantly obvious by the piled refuse on the ground. Careful about breathing through my nose, I took a wary step before delving deeper between the buildings. Two dumpsters were inconveniently in my way, filled with garbage that looked like it had been there for weeks.  My gag reflex was on overload when, with one glance down the alleyway, I saw more of the same—landmines of filth just waiting for me to navigate.

So much for finding the desire of my heart
, I snort.
Looks like this is a wild goose chase.

Gazing at the flier again, I tossed it into the dumpster, disgusted. This whole adventure had been a waste of time and it was definitely time to go home.

What was I thinking? I must seriously be out of my mind. A love like I was looking for can’t be found in some dinghy alleyway
. I berated myself.

A sudden chill ran through me—a strong sensation causing me to halt mid-step. There was no denying the gut instinct that I had overlooked something important and I needed to wait a few moments longer. A new presence made itself known and glancing over my shoulder, I saw something—an opening that hadn’t been there earlier.

This was no ordinary door. It looked out of place, when I compared it to the surroundings. Where the front entrance had looked beaten up with paint peeling, this one appeared as though it was new, fresh from the factory. Large in stature, the door was mahogany in color and sported a fancy looking knocker with the numbers 1487 displayed above it. The same as was on the flier.

This was it. I tentatively touched the door and a strange tingling energy danced over my fingertips. Yanking my arm back, I studied the strange opening closer. I stretched my hand out again, as if compelled by some unknown force, gingerly tapping the surface. The contact caused my skin to buzz.

I tried scenting the air but wasn’t able to pick up anything other than rotting food. Shaking my head, I tried again but something was blocking my ability. I’d never had this happen before and I pushed down the rising panic at not being able to overcome whatever the obstacle was. Whether strong or faint, I was a werewolf and I should’ve detected something—anything. But there was nothing. I could smell the refuse behind me but the door before me was like a blank canvas—scentless.

My curiosity flared and I knocked on the door. It was answered with a hollow echo, proving my theory all the buildings in the area were empty.  Waiting a few seconds, I pounded a little louder but no one responded. It was time to face reality, I’d been suckered in and there was nothing here for me.

I checked my watch, disappointed I’d wasted an hour and probably ruined my best shoes. Giving one last glance at the door, I turned away.