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Strangely enough, she was mostly excited about it.
Fourteen
Eve
* * *
The crescent moon hung high in the sky, a beautiful silver wedge filled with promise.
Eve shivered as she stood underneath the moon on the small sandy beach in nothing more than a thin bikini. This was all the evidence she needed to believe that fate had a cruel streak. Being practically naked at the end of November was one thing, having to jump into a freezing cold lake was another.
The things she did for love.
She glanced around at the other individuals insane enough to participate in the fated-mate ritual, surprised that she didn’t recognise anyone. She always thought the shifter community of Crescent Valley to be so small that everyone knew each other. That was apparently not true.
Her gaze shifted to the group on the other side of the beach, a much more diverse and naked collection of people and animals. A small group of wolves with glorious silver fur stood proudly in front and Eve had to admit to seeing the appeal, however that wasn’t who she was looking for.
A forceful hit of cold wind made her shiver and she glared up at the thoughtless dragon flying over her head. She wasn’t surprised, dragons were inherently show-offs, but it still irked her that they were circling overhead.
She decided not to let a single dragon spoil her mood and returned to scanning the group on the other side until she found Charlie standing on the third row. Her long blonde hair was up in a sensible bun and she had swimming shorts on over her bikini. Jack stood next to her and Eve thanked the moon goddess that he was wearing shorts too. Nothing would spoil the mood faster than her naked brother.
A gong sounded from the shore and the village Elders approached with fire torches in hand. Their arrival instantly silenced the chatter and the atmosphere changed.
The voice of a man carried over the beach. “Welcome to the night of the crescent moon where all your dreams or nightmares can come true. The water will reveal the truth you seek, but only to those who are brave enough to risk it all.”
Eve searched out Charlie’s gaze but they were too far apart for that. Technically, she wasn’t here for her mechanic. Anyone of the shifters could be her fated mate, but Eve knew that wasn’t what she wanted. If she was going to leave with a mating mark in the morning, she wanted it to be Charlie’s and Charlie’s only.
The Elder continued his ceremonial speech. “The mark will reveal the Moon Goddess’ will and with it, your own. As always, the hosts will enter first.”
On his cue, the group of shifters jogged towards the water. To Eve’s surprise, Charlie lingered for just a moment before Jack encouraged her to move and they vanished into the screaming crowd.
Stupid brother. That would make it near impossible to find Charlie in the cold water.
Eve shivered just thinking about running into the Lake. The only reason she hadn’t turned around and gone home was the potential ahead of her.
The Elder voice sounded again. "The guests may follow. I hope you find what you seek."
The remaining participants set in motion and Eve followed even though her legs were stiff and her feet cold. The dark water of the lake was anything but inviting and yet, as soon as she was running, it was impossible to stop.
Cold like she’d never felt it before attacked her ankles and Eve joined in with a scream of her own. She kept running until the water rose up to her thighs and made it impossible. One courageous breath later, she jumped in with everything she had and submerged herself into the lake of destiny.
It was very much a jump of faith.
Someone kicked her in the side, either by accident or on purpose, and Eve swallowed a big gulp of water. It tasted murky and vaguely of seaweed, and she spat out as much as she could.
“This is nonsense,” she grumbled to herself. Instead of staying longer, she started her swim back to shore. While it wasn’t very far, there were people all around her trying to go in deeper. Fools.
A hand grabbed hold of her like some monstrosity coming from the deep and Eve shrieked.
“Just me,” a reassuringly familiar voice said.
Eve breathed in relief as she turned around. The light of the moon was only illuminating parts of the mechanic but Eve managed to detect the smirk on her lips.
“Found you,” Charlie breathed.
“I didn’t realise you were looking for me,” Eve remarked, her heart practically beating out of her chest. She’d never considered herself a sucker for romance or fate, but this moment felt significant. It made her yearn for something she didn’t even realise she wanted until now.
Charlie took a step closer, the bottom of her hair wet. “I didn’t either until I was in the water, waiting. I realised I was waiting for you.”
