When The Fates Align

Chapter 1

The night enveloped everything in an unsettling darkness, with the dampness clinging to my skin as my heels echoed sharply against the pavement. My bag was securely pressed against my side, as if clinging to me for dear life. As I neared the alley—the shortcut I typically took to my cozy, yet charming, apartment nestled in the heart of the city—I could feel a sense of foreboding in the air.

As I made my way through the alley, my thoughts repeatedly drifted back to the enigmatic gaze that had captured my attention at work. He had broad shoulders, strikingly dark hair, and an expression that was both intensely captivating and profoundly haunting. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see his silhouette against the backdrop of the club, leaving me both intrigued and unsettled. I wondered what secrets lay hidden behind that alluring demeanor.

The sudden crash of a metal trashcan behind me caused my heart to race. I whirled around, but all I found was the spilled trash littering the ground. It struck me as odd that the can had fallen over on its own. Straining my eyes to pierce the surrounding darkness, I turned back, only to find a man standing across the street, blocking my path to the apartment I needed to reach.

I stood frozen, not fully in fear but also curiosity. The man stood with his back to me, fixated on the door of my apartment. My heart raced, and as if sensing my anxiety, he visibly tensed.

I couldn't tell how long I'd been holding my breath, but the moment he turned and walked away, a rush of much-needed oxygen filled my lungs. As I approached the spot where he had stood, I caught a whiff of his scent—a captivating blend of woody musk with undertones of vanilla. Taking a deep breath, I inhaled deeply as I unlocked the door and stepped inside. Instead of opting for the elevator, I chose to tackle the three flights of stairs to my floor.

I opened the door and leaned against it, closing my eyes to gather my thoughts. Was that the man from the club earlier? What was he doing at my apartment? What could he possibly want? After a moment, I opened my eyes and glanced at the clock on the wall—it was three in the morning. My feet throbbed as I slipped off my heels and tossed them aside.

As I strolled down the hallway to the bathroom, I prepared a soothing hot bath infused with lavender-scented Epsom salts. I dimmed the lights, lit some candles, and eased myself into the warm water. Leaning my head back and closing my eyes, visions of the man began to haunt my thoughts.

After a soaking, I crawled into bed and drifted into a deep sleep, haunted by the man's face. It loomed over me, brooding and watching my every move. No matter where I wandered in my dreams, his gaze was always there, fixed and penetrating. I tried to escape his presence, but each corner I turned only seemed to draw me deeper into his grasp. As shadows danced around me, I realized I was trapped in a labyrinth of my own making.

When I woke it was well into the afternoon. I rolled over, grabbing my cell and opened it to see many texts from Heather, a girl from work.

“Are you familiar with my client from last night? The tall, brooding guy?” she inquired, prompting a frown from me.

“Yeah. What’s going on?” I noticed she was quick to reply.

“Do you know his identity?” she pressed.

“No, should I?” I replied, feeling perplexed.

“Apparently, he’s quite wealthy. He had piles of cash and seemed very intrigued by your story. I tried dancing for him, but he declined. He purchased a private dance to talk about you. Thanks to him, I raked in a whopping six grand." I glanced at the message she sent, then turned my gaze to the ceiling fan above me.

I watched the blades spinning above me, a sense of unease washing over me. What could have sparked his interest in me? Was it possible that Heather revealed my address, leading him to my doorstep? Or was it my past that drew him here? A persistent voice echoed in my mind, one I had tirelessly tried to suppress.

"He's here for you," echoed my inner voice, Claire.

"Leave me alone," I replied.

"You must escape the human city. If he's truly here for you, he won't hesitate to pursue you," she cautioned.

I pushed her deep into the recesses of my mind; she was never right for me. I recalled my eighteenth birthday, two years ago, when I should have transformed under the first full moon but failed to do so. Six months later, her voice crept into my thoughts, and I couldn’t help but resent her for it. It hurt her, she never understood why. She excited to do our first shift, but I never allowed her full control.

My nonshifting revealed accusations from my father regarding my mother, alleging that she had been unfaithful and was involved with another lover. These accusations cast a long shadow over our family dynamics, creating tension that was palpable at every gathering. I found myself torn, wanting to defend my mother while also grappling with the confusion of my father's claims.

Two months before my nineteenth birthday, my mother passed away. My father, unable to bear the sight of me—a constant reminder of my mother's long-ago affair—threw me out. With only a few belongings and some cash, I embarked on a journey that led me to this human city.

I secured a job at a dance club, captivating audiences with my performances for various meMy enchanting allure, which transcended the ordinary, quickly earned me a special place among the patrons. I made thousands on every night, including the weekdays I decided to work. It was easy and in the beginning, the lust from the humans made me feel wanted. However, as time went on, that thrill began to fade, revealing an emptiness I couldn't shake. I started to realize that the attention I craved was merely a fleeting illusion, masking the loneliness that lurked beneath the surface.

“We need to go.” Claire managed to push her way forward.

“Where would we go?!” I said outloud and angry.

“To the forest.” She urged.

“I can’t. I am technically a rogue.” She let out a sigh, and I could tell she felt defeated too. Deep down, she knew I was right. We couldn't just head into the forest by ourselves, totally unaware of what might be out there. I had never let myself shift before. I had pushed that part of me away for so long that I wasn’t even sure if I could do it now.

“We should shift the next full moon.” Her thoughts drifted to my mind. “It is in a few days. Pack a bag.”

While I recognize the necessity of letting it happen, venturing out on my own poses significant risks. The absence of the pack for support and guidance could lead to perilous situations. Additionally, being so near to humans raises the stakes—what if we were discovered?

We could consider departing a day or two ahead of schedule, venturing deep into the woods. Far enough away from the paths where humans rarely tread. The superstitions, once grounded in reality, continue to keep them at a distance.

A soft laugh slipped from my lips, reflecting on just how ludicrous these humans are. They remain blissfully unaware of the extraordinary world surrounding them, inhabited by creatures like wolves, lycans, witches, vampires and fairies. With that I decided to pack.