Page 70 of Called By Fate

“Consider me impressed,” I respond, watching as the males in the room, no matter the race, fix the plates for the females. They work as a team, getting everyone fed until there are only a few left.

“Huh, that’s one shifter custom I’m glad everyone is taking on,” Dante says, to which my other mates agree.

I spot Oliver to the left of the mess hall and smile at him. He returns my smile with a grin of his own before he focuses on what he was doing once more. I watch as he shyly hands a plate of food to a badass looking Light Weaver who is sitting next to blue-haired Hades. I’ve seen her around before, and I think her name is Nova, but never really realized how gorgeous she is with her jet-black hair and bright blue eyes anddon’t fuck with mevibes. The total opposite of Oliver's quiet demeanor.

Oliver’s hand brushes hers and his eyes widen. He looks from the plate in his hands to her several times before dropping the food. She looks as surprised as him when it clatters to the table, but neither pays it any more mind when Oliver places his hand in hers and they freeze.

“Holy shit,” Hemsworth whispers, seeing exactly what I’m seeing. “Is what I think happening really happening?”

“Oh my Goddess, they’re mates!” I exclaim excitedly.

A little too excitedly because everyone in the mess hall turns to look. Several people whoop and cheer while Oliver and the Light Weaver stand there, bonding. The shifters add their howls to the cheering voices. When it’s finished and their new marks are in place… the smile on their faces… I will never forget that look.

Another true pair.

“What does this mean for mates, Shadowbringer?” someone calls out.

“Yeah, are true mate pairs coming back?” another asks, and I pull my attention from the newly bound mates.

There’s a light, fluttery feeling in my chest, and I instantly know what I’m supposed to say, guided by the Goddess. “In the Goddess’ eyes, we did right by honoring the dead tonight and as such, she decided to bless a few of you. The more we cleanse this community of the evil plaguing it, the more the true mate bonds will return.”

Whispers start up amongst them and a few even drop to their knees and start thanking her. The sight makes me smile. Even in death, there can be light.

My heart is still a tad heavy, but it already feels lighter than earlier. Bedi would want me to mourn her, yes, but she would also want me to be happy and enjoy life. So, that’s what I’m going to do, because who knows what the next few weeks will bring.

Tonight, we’re going to eat, drink, and be merry as fuck, because tomorrow will start the hardest part of this all. I don’t think any of us will come out unscathed, but looking at the hope in everyone’s eyes…

At least we have something worth fighting for.

30

After tossing and turning for at least the tenth time while hearing the rest of my mates snoring softly, I decide to get up and go work off some of my restless energy. Getting out of this bed without disturbing them is going to be quite the challenge, though.

As carefully as possible, I rise and inch out of the covers, then I crawl to the end of the bed and slide off. No one seems to notice, which is a miracle when you have six people in a bed. We pushed a third mattress against the other two to have enough room for all of us, because none of them wanted to be without me tonight. Fine by me, because I didn’t want to be away from them either.

My pajamas consist of one of Dante’s band T-shirts and some gym shorts, so I decide to roll with it, figuring since it’s super late, no one else will be at the gym anyway. Then I slide on my converse, loving the comforting feel of them as I head into the living room. I stare at the entryway where Bedi came through and collapsed. I don’t realize I’m frozen there until a voice startles me.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Hemsworth asks, raising his head from the couch.

“I thought your thoughts were worth more than a penny?” I fire back.

He shoots me one of those doggy grins I love so much. “They are, but you look like you could use them.” Moons, I love this dog.

I blow out a breath. “I’m going to miss her, Hems. Even though I was angry at her for bailing on us, I felt safe knowing she was likely out there pulling the strings somewhere, and I was right. Spying on my uncle and the Elders…”

“Yeah, that was really brave of her to do.”

“It was,” I agree. “Did you know she was my mother’s friend?”

He shakes his head. “No, I never knew much about her at all to be honest, save from her drawings, she was always quite secretive—something about preserving the future. Anyway, what are you doing up so late?”

“I’m heading to the gym. Want to come?”

He hops down from the couch and bounds over to my side. “You never have to ask, Triad,” he quips, using my new title. “I’m always down to stretch these legs.”

“Let’s go then. I need to work off some of this restless energy before trying to strategize tomorrow, and the punching bag is calling my name.”

The night is calm, almost peaceful as we walk. The skies are clear and there’s an owl hooting in the distance. Everyone is in bed sleeping. Apparently Hems and I are the only crazy ones out and about at this hour.

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