Chapter 7

Every year, as a new season approaches, the Moonstone pack celebrates with a festival where anyone and everyone can volunteer and create whatever form of entertainment they desire.

The youth of the pack especially favoured the summer festival, since it lined up to occur right as the school year finished.

Suki alternated between Erin and Rey when hosting a stall at the festival. Two years back, Suki and Rey hosted a “Hook a Duck” game stall, and last year, she and Erin hosted a parody fortune-telling tent, where Erin took advantage of her ability to finally float objects and make lights flicker, for added entertainment.

However, even though it was her turn to do something with Rey, Suki had no plan this year. If the plan for her to create a forced bond had gone ahead, she wouldn’t have been home.

A twinge of nausea hit her stomach.

She wanted to take part in the festivities, Erin was working on the maze with the witches, and Rey had been roped in to show off the upcoming warriors of the pack, but, to her luck, the town’s favourite baker, Mr Ale, was hosting a stall. Suki took advantage of the opportunity, remembering how much he loved her cherry and matcha cheesecake.

Suki knew a simple offer to make the cheesecake to sell on the stall would have Mr Ale howling at the opportunity. Plus, it gave her something to do whilst she waited for her friends.

“These cupcake-sized cheesecakes are brilliant, Suki!” Mr Ale said gleefully, admiring her work as if it were a piece of artwork. “Are you sure you’re not willing to sell the–”

“Nope,” she interrupted with a smile.

Mr Ale desired the recipe for himself, but Suki kept it secret – a recipe passed down from woman to woman in her family, and, after her mother passed, she swore to cherish it.

“It’s a family recipe, and I intend to keep it that way.” She handed a mini cheesecake to a child who was jumping up and down, excited to indulge in their sweet treat.

The child’s mother watched Suki tentatively and only spoke once their gazes met, making Suki freeze from her stare. “I’m sorry to hear about your short engagement. Must be a shame when that Alpha found their mate at the last minute, hm?”

Another jealous woman. Suki withheld the urge to roll her eyes. This wasn’t the first woman and certainly wouldn’t be the last to taunt her, wanting to see her look weak and broken for being rejected, even though she wasn’t. All they wanted was an ego boost.

Suki pushed back any attitude brewing within her and held a somewhat blank but innocent expression, “You think it’s a shame a man found his mate?” She smiled, one that didn’t meet her eyes; instead, her eyes held an essence of power. “I, for one, am so happy for him, and ended up making not one but two good friends out of it. I fear to see where the shame in this situation lies, do you?”

Wide-eyed, the woman shook her head.

“Glad we have that settled.” She handed over the apple tart that the woman had requested. “Enjoy,” she tittered as the child ran away with their sweet treat.

The mother quickly paid and ran off after her offspring; the essence of disappointment lingered in her expression as she left.

“Remind me never to get on your bad side, Suki,” Mr Ale chortled. “You have a good heart, but it’s safe to say, you are one tough cookie.” He waved a chocolate chip cookie in her face before chomping down on it.

✧ ✧ ✧

Suki hummed as the cool air began to take over, as daytime finally turned into nighttime.

“Not bored, are we?”

“No, sir! I just love dusk, something is soothing about it.”

Mr Ale stroked the beard of his chin, “Yes, you young folk, newly embracing your wolf, feel the joy of dusk a lot more than we oldies.”

Frowning, “You’re not old, sir,” she retorted.

“You call me ‘sir’, I am indeed old.”

She narrowed her eyes, “No, I just have manners.”

He faked a shocked expression, “The youth… having manners? I’m speechless.”

Rolling her eyes, she began clearing up the wrappers and leftover mess from the stall.

“Ah, no,” Mr Ale waved his hands and snatched the wrappers from her. “I’ll handle clean up, you’ve done more than enough helping me today, you should go enjoy the festival.”

“But you still have plenty of sweet treats to sell.”

“I can handle it, sweet child,” he tittered. “Go, enjoy your youth.”

She smiled and bowed her head in respect before wandering off to find her friends.

As she approached the field where the warriors were showing off all their skills in combat and weaponry, Suki scanned her surroundings to find her best friend.

The temptation to call down the bond was there, but she knew that was a bad idea. She shouldn’t take advantage of the power, not when her mind was as divided as the bond itself.

Suki pulled out her phone and began texting as she turned around and met a strong chest blocking her way.

“Looking for anyone in particular?” The voice was laced with arrogance.

She sighed, “You know who I’m looking for, Alden. My best friend, the guy who taught you how to use a sword properly and helped you not fail the first semester of training.”

Alden’s brows furrowed, “Damn, he really does tell you everything, doesn’t he?”

“He’s my best friend.”

“You said that already.” He bent forward to bring his face to Suki’s level. She wasn’t short, but he – like many of the warrior werewolves – was a tower in comparison. His gaze intensified as it shifted between her eyes.

She frowned, “What are you doing?”

He smirked, “Trying to see if I can guess how jealous you’ll be when you see Rey.”

“What are you talking about?”

Jerking his chin to his right, he stared in that direction, holding that vicious smirk.

Suki followed his line of sight and saw, in the distance, Reynard standing on a small stage with two girls hanging off his biscep, showcasing his strength. She scoffed, “You’re really thick in the head if you think that would bother me.”

“Oh, come on.” He stood behind her, placing a hand on her hip and whispering in her ear, “I see the way you look at him. You’re secretly just like all the other girls who obsess over him, but look at him, he’s eating up all that attention he’s getting.”

Shoving him away, Suki snarled, “Are you making a move on me?”

“I’m just pointing out that you deserve one hundred per cent of a male’s attention.”

Her annoyance radiated off her so much that she suddenly sensed a presence watching her. Glancing over to Rey, she saw him watching her intensely. He looked ready to drop what he was doing and defend his mate.

‘I’m fine.’ She pushed through the bond in a panic.

Rey stopped staring and continued his little show. ‘Do I need to teach him another lesson?’

‘Don’t.’ Suki held back a laugh and then glared at Alden. “Thanks, but no thanks.” She pushed him away and walked off, bringing her attention back to her phone.

SUKI: I’m gonna check out Erin’s maze. Meet me around there when you’re done.

✧ ✧ ✧

Approaching the maze, Suki’s eyes widened more and more in shock as she witnessed the size of it. It was a thing of beauty, but it looked like one could get lost in there for days if they took a wrong turn.

“Suki!” Erin squealed, rushing over to her and throwing an arm around her neck in a tight hug. “You made it! Are you going to go in?”

Grimacing, Suki looked at the entrance of the maze and back at her friend, “I don’t know…”

Rolling her eyes, “Oh, come on, Suki! I worked so hard on this with the other trainee witches. I promise it’s totally safe, nothing scary, it’s just a challenge to get out, and it’s super beautiful.”

“It’s getting sort of late, and I’m meant to be meeting Rey soon.”

“If he gets here while you’re still in there, I’ll come find you and help you out so you both can sneak off and–”

“Wait,” Suki held her hand up to pause her friend, “you’re not coming in there with me?”

Erin chewed on her lip. “I have the stand at the entrance. Come on, Suki, do something adventurous! Pleeeeeeease?”

Another glance over at the entrance, Suki sighed, “Fine.”

“Yay!” Erin pushed her towards the entryway.

“What do I need to know about the maze?” she whined.

“Nothing of great importance to you. We’re practising spells that block the mate bonds telepathic connection, so they can’t cheat and split off and help each other cheat – spells like that take a lot of work and energy, so most of the witches are focusing on that. We also created a soundproof spell, so no one can hear any conversations in the maze unless you’re in the same general area as someone. The rest are fun spells like the flowers grow and blossom as you approach them or tree branches wave at you, but I won’t spoil everything for you. Go and enjoy!”

Suki groaned, admitting defeat, and made her way through the darkened entrance of the maze.