2. The woman with the collar

The issue with seeing something every single day was that eventually you stopped seeing it.

That was how the world with supernaturals worked.

A vampire walked into a restaurant, and nobody screamed.

People stopped screaming whenever a vampire walked into a room, and nobody ran when a werewolf sat close enough to hear you.

A woman wearing a Moon or Blood Jewel collar could now walk past you in a shopping mall, and you wouldn't stop to stare.

Not because they weren't extraordinary. They were, but extraordinary became ordinary when you lived around it long enough.

I had grown up knowing vampires and werewolves existed. Everyone had. They had their territories, their companies, and their complicated politics. They owned buildings that reached the clouds and restaurants where humans like me served their meals.

They were powerful and wealthy.

Most importantly, they were not my problem.

At least, they weren't supposed to be.

"You're staring."

I looked away from the woman at table seven.

Maya was carrying a tray of empty glasses, looking far too amused. "I thought you said it was rude."

"It is, and I'm not."

"You are."

"I was thinking."

"About the woman wearing a Moon Jewel collar?"

I sighed softly and glanced back at her. "Maybe."

Maya placed the glasses down and started pouring soda in them. "She comes here often. You've never noticed her?"

I never had to. Not really.

"No. I mean, there's nothing wrong with her. It's just... the Moon Jewel thing."

Why would she choose that life for herself? Why did any of them do?

Moon Jewels were not rare. In fact, I saw them in the restaurant quite often. They never really said much, often choosing to be distant. Like some sort of celebrities.

The only way to identify them was with the same collar they all wore around their neck. Everyone knew what they stood for.

A human woman chosen by a werewolf. A symbol of protection and status. A symbol that she belonged beside someone powerful.

The collar around the woman's neck was beautiful. Too beautiful to even be called that. Silver, elegant, and impossible to ignore. It wasn't designed to disappear.

That was the point. Everyone had to see it and know.

"She's very pretty," Maya said. "I wonder which werewolf she belongs to. Must be one of the higher-ranking ones."

"Yeah..."

"You should totally ask her."

I finally ripped my stare away from her and turned to Maya with furrowed brows. "Why would I ask her about her chosen?"

"Not about him. About her. You're clearly curious." Maya shrugged and disappeared behind the kitchen doors. I pursed my lips. What would I even ask?

'Hey, is that collar itchy? Looks itchy. And heavy. I should probably stop talking now.'

I shook my head and focused on wiping the counter. She didn't need that from me. I bet she dealt with judgmental glares and questions every single day.

"Excuse me."

I looked up and froze. The woman with the collar was looking at me.

"Yes?" I squeaked. She stood tall and straight, the big jewel around her neck glistening.

"Could I get another glass of water, please?"

"Absolutely," I filled the glass and handed it to her.

"Thank you."

I hesitated as she took a small sip and smiled. Usually, I didn't ask customers personal questions, but maybe curiosity won.

"Sorry. Can I ask you something?"

She smiled politely, as if she knew what was coming.

"Of course."

I glanced at her collar, and she pushed her black hair over her shoulder, giving me a better view of it.

"Does it bother you?"

Her fingers touched the silver band around her neck.

"Not at all."

"People staring?"

She laughed softly. "You get used to that."

"Was it worth it in the end? Choosing to bound yourself to a werewolf."

For a moment, she was quiet, and I opened my mouth to quickly apologize for my overstepping, but she answered calmly.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I got what I hoped for."

The answer was simple, but something about the way she said it made me lean forward.

"Do all Jewels feel that way about their choice?"

"Unfortunately not. It's a matter of luck. If you choose a good male, you live a good life. If you don't, well..."

I gulped. "I see."

She lifted her hand and glanced at the watch on her wrist. "Come chat with me when your shift is done. I'll tell you whatever you'd like to know."

....................

Her name was Elena.

She had become a Moon Jewel three years ago.

Not because she was forced. Not because she had no other choice. Because she wanted that life for herself.

"My husband is a werewolf," she explained. "He wanted a partner. I wanted a family. We wanted the same thing."

"Your husband?"

She nodded with a warm smile. "Some Moon Jewels marry their partners. Some don't."

"Really?"

"Of course."

That surprised me. I had never thought about the reality behind it. The stories always focused on the glamour, the money, and the supernatural man.

Never the actual woman wearing the collar.

"What about the women who join for money?"

Elena dug her spoon into her cheesecake. "There are those too."

"Does that bother you?"

"Why would it? We all have different reasons for why we choose this."

I shrugged. "People must judge you a lot."

"People judge what they don't understand."

Fair enough.

"Some women want love," she continued. "Some want security. Some want children. Some want wealth. Some simply want a different life. There's always a supernatural male who wants to provide that."

Her eyes moved briefly around the restaurant.

"And some women are just tired of struggling."

The words landed harder than they should have. I thought of the hospital bills that were waiting for me. My aunt. The rent. The loans I hadn't paid for.

Elena noticed my silence. "You're worried about something."

I looked away quickly. "No."

She smiled knowingly. "We humans are terrible liars."

Then, she placed a card on the table between us. "No need to tell me what it is, but I have a feeling you might want this."

I read the words on the card. It was an invitation.

"The Choosing is next month. It happens once a year."

My eyes widened. The Choosing was a private event where humans who wished to become Moon Jewels could meet werewolves who were searching for partners.

"Invites for the Choosing are impossible to get," I said softly.

She nodded. "Yes, well, it helps to live with the male in charge of designing and distributing them to whoever he pleases."

I didn't know what to say, so all I could do was stare at the paper between us.

"It's not only Moon Jewels, you know," Elena said after a minute.

I looked at her. "What?"

"The Choosing."

She tapped the card lightly. "Most people associate the event with werewolves, but vampires participate too."

"For women who wish to be Blood Jewels."

She smiled and nodded.

Blood Jewels were the vampire equivalent.

Humans who chose to stand beside vampires instead of werewolves.

The difference was mostly cultural. Werewolves valued their packs, their bonds, their territories. Vampires were more individual. More private.

But the purpose was similar. Companionship. Connection.

A place beside someone powerful.

Money.

"Some women know exactly which world they want," Elena continued. "Some prefer wolves. Some prefer vampires."

"And some choose neither."

"Exactly. The important thing is that it is a choice. A permanent one. So think about it."

Then she left, her tea untouched and cold.

I sat there, staring at the card.

A few months ago, I would have said no with no hesitation. Not because I looked down on Blood or Moon Jewels. I just never imagined myself anywhere near a supernatural world. I never needed to.

Now I had reasons. Financial reasons.

Would Valentin Sinclair be there to choose?

Or the handsome werewolf who couldn't decide what to eat.

I looked at the silver collar around Elena's neck as she walked away. Beautiful and impossible to ignore.

And for the first time in my life...

I wondered what it would feel like to wear one.