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It was finally the day before the tournament. Players were arriving and checking into the hotel. Donors were there looking around the poker hall. The venue was almost completely ready for the tournament to start tomorrow.
Opal found herself rushing around and double-checking that everything was in its proper place. She had met with most of the donors that had arrived and worked out schedules with the vendors. She was standing in the middle of the expansive room, trying to see everything at once, wondering where the first disaster would happen, when a voice startled her out of her panic.
“Op, you are starting to spiral. Take a moment and breathe.”
Violet was right, of course. Vi usually was. Violet Carney was Opal’s best friend, and she was working part-time with Senior Rights when she had time to contribute. Her primary directive at this stage in her life was getting through her college courses. And yet, she was always there for Opal when Opal needed her.
Opal sank to the floor where she was out of sight of most of the people coming and going. Violet crouched in front of her, blocking her from the rest of the possible onlookers. No one needed to see this private moment. Violet took both of Opal's hands in hers and held them close to her own chest.
Opal usually had panic attack after panic attack before these events. When it felt like there was more to do, she couldn't help but blame herself. Then she would try to fix it, whether that was in her power or not. She withheld the urge to cry.
"Everything is going to be great. You worked so hard, Op. It's out of your hands now."
Opal was so grateful to have Violet with her. Violet had also defected from the same tiger streak. She also agreed with Opal’s protests and decided to jump from the sinking ship. She was thriving outside of the streak, and Opal was lucky to have her.
Opal kept her eyes on her friend, trying to ground herself out of her pre-event jitters. Violet held her gaze until she had managed to calm her breath. Then Violet gently pulled her back to her feet. Opal's lips curled into a reluctant but grateful smile.
Violet stepped back and gracefully flipped her hair over her shoulder. Now she donned one of her most fabulous smiles. Just that action reminded Opal of exactly how much sass her best friend brought.
Being a curvy Latina without a family, she was all business, and she wasn’t having anything subpar. She didn’t take any shit from anyone, and she stood up for herself and what she believed in with the ferocity of any tiger, shifter or otherwise.
She was strong and sassy but full of compassion and love. Violet and Opal both had given up on the shifter community but stuck with each other. They were all the family either of them had now. Opal was thrilled that Violet wanted to be involved in her nonprofit.
Opal sighed in contentment and shook her head at her friend. “Vi, I love you. Thank you.”
Violet’s eyes smiled, but her stance said something else. She had thrust out her hip while crossing her arms across her chest.
“Don’t be gettin’ sappy on me, girl. You’ve got a charity to host.” Opal wrapped her arms around her, and they gave each other a good squeeze. Opal took a deep breath and turned, running right into Gerri.
“Hey, Opal, this is amazing. How is the setup going?”
“It’s great. Everything is falling into place.”
Gerri smiled. Opal was once again grateful to Gerri for all the work she had put in.
“That’s wonderful. I see a lot of the donors have made their way in. Have you met your ringer yet?”
Opal and Violet looked at each other and shook their heads. Gerri turned and saw him walking into the building, headed for check-in. She smiled at Opal and hurried over to him. Opal’s eyes trained on the guy Gerri had headed for, and she was not prepared for what happened next.
The huge man with a duffel bag thrown over his shoulder lumbered into the building, and everything around Opal froze. The noise around her died down as she saw Gerri stop in front of him and start up a conversation. She gestured to where Opal stood. He looked in her direction.
Opal felt a shiver shake her whole body. She had never felt anything like it. And she knew she wouldn’t again. She was looking at her fated mate.
“Op? Opal? Can you hear me?” Violet’s voice slowly faded back into focus. Opal shook her head and stared at her friend. Violet's face filled with concern. She looked where Opal had been looking and then back at her friend.
Opal’s blue eyes were focused, her body alert, and she had obviously just returned from somewhere her friend’s voice couldn’t reach. Violet’s eyes, which were normally calm, widened, and there was an unspoken understanding about what had happened.
Neither of them expected to experience this, and Opal didn't know what to do.
“Are you ready for this?” Violet queried.
“Not even remotely.”
When Opal turned back, Gerri had already led him across the casino floor, and he was just feet away from her. Her eyes had grown wide, and her pupils dilated.
Opal looked up, stunned, at the gorgeous hunk of a man with rippling muscles, shaggy blonde hair, devastating gray eyes, and a chisel-cut jawline. He looked like he belonged in a biker bar, not a poker hall.
He was the only thing in the room. He looked like an angel, haloed in light. She was enthralled by his handsome face with eyes that looked right into her soul.
