Chapter 32
Cordelia
Deciding what to wear took too long. In the end, I settled on a lavender long-sleeved top, skinny jeans, boots, and a long jacket that is a cream colour in heavy tartan fabric. Who knew that I would be this stressed about what clothes I chose to wear for the start of my new life.
Possible new life.
I’m late.
I don’t even know how it’s possible, but somehow, in the whole choosing the perfect outfit that suddenly nothing felt perfect about, time slipped away.
I’m scrambling down the stairs and rushing out of the house imagining Lorelei starting everything. She will call them up, and I won’t be there. How could I be late?
Wait! The stone.
My fingers tremble as I run up the stairs and crash through my bedroom door. The desk drawer spills onto the floor when I yank on it too hard. I push things out of the way, searching frantically.
“Fuck!”
I snatch up the beautifully painted stone, then whirl and run downstairs three at a time. The icy wind makes my cheeks burn and white clouds explode out of my mouth, but in the few minutes it takes me to get to Main Street, I warm up.
The crowd stops me in my tracks. I have no idea how to get through them all. They are packed shoulder to shoulder. People are talking, cheering. Above us, strings of gold and blue lights shine down, reflecting off glittering snowflakes and raindrops made of plastic.
My mouth falls open, and for a moment, I forget everything but the wonder of what I am seeing.
They found a way to make snow, or maybe fake snow, but there are mounds of it everywhere, and it’s hanging off roofs and signs.
There are snowflakes and stars, and everywhere I look, hundreds of candles wrapped in ice-blue satin are burning brightly, leaving everyone awash in a glow of orange light.
The snowflakes glitter as they dance in the wind, and the crowd shifts easily, hands occupied with cupcakes and mugs. I don’t know all these people; there are heaps who appear to have travelled in just to see the spectacle.
Soft music is playing in the background, and as my ears attune to it, I realise someone, probably Felix, has chosen winter-related music. I don’t know why but that detail tickles me. The orange glow of sunset is fading quickly.
It’s almost time. I’m not late.
I can’t see anyone I know, so I push into the crowd, trying to get to the front.
“Excuse me, sorry, pardon me. Please, I need to get through!” I push and shove, and slowly, people give way, letting me through.
“Welcome to Light Knot Night! Our Winter Solstice Lantern Festival and, most importantly, matchmaking event!” Lorelei’s voice slams out of the speakers and into the air. People cheer.
It’s insane, and I love it for her.
“We have more matches than ever, bigger dates, we dragged the whole town into it. Don’t believe me? Well, let’s have a quick look at the highlight reel.”
My mouth drops open as I see a photo of me meeting Sebastian, Fox, and Katsu for the first time as a match.
They have projected it onto a huge white screen.
I lift a hand to my mouth, staring at Katsu as his lips curl in a delighted smile.
Seeing it hurts so good. Music plays over the top of the video, a wildly curling orchestral tune.
Every photo stays for about three seconds and then changes to another.
My chest fills, and I think perhaps I’m going to cry, but I hold it in.
Clint and Holly are holding each other, laughing.
Felix watches impassively as his match vomits on himself.
Asher and her date, glaring at one another.
Images of the last few weeks of my pack falling in love.
In the pool, eating dried sponge under the fake stars, sitting on the love seat, the beach, at dinners.
Laughing, always smiling. It's clear as day, we get closer and more comfortable, the intimacy of our expressions intensifying. But it’s the moments I’m not looking at them when they look at me; it’s unguarded, soft, protective, intense. They are in love with me.
That confirmation has my stomach lurching into a butterfly-filled pendulum.
But there’s more.
Photos have been taken of us around town; anytime we were seen together, someone snapped photos.
“I can’t imagine my life without them,” I whisper. Even if they were to leave me, I would love them forever.
The omega next to me squeals, and I startle back to the here and now.
She grabs my arm and jumps up and down. “I knew you were going to match the moment I saw you.”
“Um, okay?” I do not know this person, have never met her before in my life, but I love the enthusiasm.
She grabs me and drags me through the crowd until we’re standing in front of Lorelei. My future pack mother stares at me with a gleam in her eyes. As far as she’s concerned, we’re a done deal, and she’s not wrong. Sebastian and I were never in contention.
But Katsu and Fox still have to hear my truth and forgive me.
I really hope they do.
“And now you’ve seen how strangers can become love matches, scent matches.
Will they bond? Will they all become packs?
Well, no one knows, but what we do know is that this most perfect of days, when it’s half light and half night, with all you beautiful people here to witness the declarations of our matches and see if they have chosen to keep their hearts or not. ”
The crowd’s cheer is thunderous, but I can’t see anyone. In fact, other than Lorelei, the only person I recognise is Clint, who is happily drinking and laughing with strangers, but he would get on with anyone.
“The food’s great, too!” Clint shouts, and I think privately that he might have had too many laced versions of whatever it is he’s drinking.
“We have something special for you tonight,” Betty says, taking over from Lorelei.
I look between the Pack Makers. They look nice. They are all in matching white jackets and black leggings.
“Instead of seeing the matches take place here on Main Street, you can watch from the beach rails or here as we project the match decisions onto our projector screen, live.”
She waves at the wall, and the screen comes alive with Sofia, Mack, Devon, and Elijah. The four of them wave and hold up an adorable, wrapped to the enth degree, tiny, little sausage dog.
“She’s dressed him up like a snowman,” I say in exasperation but chuckle anyway. He’s so cute.
“Hi, Sunshine Cove and everyone who came for Light Knot Night. We’ll be down here, bringing you live footage and commentary from the Path of Light.”
Sara clears her throat and very dramatically leans forward and winks at the crowd. “What is the Path of Light, Sofia?”
Sofia chuckles and pans, showing a path of candles and lights, of white satin material laid over the sand in a massive walk that ends in a huge circle of light at the end.
How did they do that? It’s gorgeous.
“The path of light represents being vulnerable to your loved ones, it’s the courage to bare your soul, to admit to yourself your feelings, to find the heart to tell them,”
Betty giggles and puts her mitten-covered hands in the air.
“The light is our gift to you, to make it easier to tell your matches. To give you a moment to think and really know your heart. Every single date we get you to go on is about exposing the wonderful aspects that are imperative to getting to know someone beyond just a scent match. Love and relationships take work and commitment. Sacrifice.”
She’s looking at me when she says it, and I realise Lorelei must have told them what she thinks I intend to do.
“Now, the winner of our competition, the match who made the most unforgettable memories and knew each other inside and out is…” Lorelei opens an envelope and scowls hard. “Clint and Holly,” she says flatly.
“WOOHOO! Thanks, Mrs S! I will look forward to-”
“A night in the Sunshine Cove Hotel’s bridal suite.”
Clint cuts off, looking like he might vomit. “Can I get a refund?”
“No, you cannot!” Lorelei growls.
“Aw, come on. I can’t sleep in a romantic room with Holly, that’s just gross.”
Lorelei forces a smile. “Enjoy your prize; we can talk about it later.”
“Ew, can you just imagine me and Holly?” Clint laughs with the people around him.
Holly appears on the live stream from the beach. “Damn straight, but give it to me. I’ll make good use of it.”
Clint scowls. “Rock, paper, scissors.”
“Enough!” Lorelei growls. She forces a smile and faces the crowd.
“The other half of your matches are down at the Circle of Light, thinking about what they want to say and the decisions they want to make. One by one, we’re going to call our matches, and they will make the long, lonely walk to happiness. ”
She pauses dramatically.
“And then Light Knot Night will really begin.”
The crowd cheers. I watch as people swarm into the crowd with drinks and hot food. I’m too nervous to eat, but when I see someone handing out a glass of warm cider, I snatch it up and take a gulp.
“The first couple up is Clint and Holly. Come on, Clint, take a long walk into the light.”
“Hey!” he shouts.
Betty laughs and pats him on the back. “Off you go.”
He trots down the stairs, shoving a piece of pie into his mouth.
“This is really good!”
I tune him out, glancing occasionally at the screen, watching as he progresses, but my nerves are shot.
Light fades, and the sun sets, finally plunging us into darkness and the bitter cold of winter. But the lights, the candlelight glows, illuminating strangers and friends alike.
My stomach churns. Will it be enough? Will they forgive my deception?