Page 49 of Plus-Size Sold Mate
Before long, the clearing comes into view, as does the annual festival I’ve celebrated since I was young. While the full moon doesn’t always align with the spring equinox, it did the first year the festival was established, and finally, after nineteen years since the last one, it’s happening again.
Wooden poles stick up from the ground, connected by strings of decorations and lights that flutter in the breeze, and various tables are spread with food. The fire pit in the very center hasn’t been lit yet, but soon enough, it will kick off the celebration.
Music and laughter reach us first as we approach, while the pack communes. The younger ones run around and play games while the others talk, surely going over recent events and future plans.
When we’re close enough to be noticed, conversations become quiet until they seem to die out completely. A few heads turn as their voices falter, and that open energy seems to curl inward.
It isn’t hostile, necessarily, but I can tell they’re being too careful as they look at Sera.
She feels it immediately…I know she does.
From next to me, I sense how she retreats within herself, going rigid from the pressure of those eyes on her. A wave ofemotion spills down the bond before she can help it, and it makes me bristle.
This is my mate, the woman I chose, and this is how they react?
I reach for Sera’s hand without a second thought, careful yet affirming, and I keep my pace steady. Every instinct in me wants to lash out and bare my teeth. I want to demand what everyone thinks they’re staring at, but I don’t. I can’t today, even if the air is thick with unspoken judgment.
Like a vague attempt to break the ice, a group of kids runs by, throwing us joyful, oblivious smiles as they wave. I smile back, greeting them before they head off again, laughter ringing through the space.
This is what it’s about. Unity and connection.
Reminding myself of that, I pull in a deep breath and guide her forward, passing by small groups.
As if the others remember themselves, they offer their greetings too, keeping things polite with their restrained nods given to Sera after. Conversations continue to falter and pick up again, and I pretend I don’t notice.
Sera’s shrinking all the while, and I hate it. I hate how the others make her feel like she has to brace for impact, and I hate how they look at her like she’s an anomaly.
What’s worse is how she expects it, and she has no choice but to handle it.
The urge to say something rises the longer I shoulder it alongside her, not caring if it disrupts the rites or embarrasses half of them. I can’t have her standing beside me and feeling like she doesn’t belong.
The tether burns with my rising temper, but before I can say anything, her fingers tighten around my hand.
“Don’t,” she mumbles under her breath.
“I’m not doing anything,” I mutter, though I keep my grip on her hand firm, hoping it might soothe her despite the irritated undercurrent.
“You’re about to…so don’t.”
Before I can say anything else, Eve appears, grinning ear-to-ear as she glances at me, then sets her sights on Sera. “There you are! I was starting to think you two wouldn’t show.”
Sera blinks back at her, surprised by her appearance, but relaxes a bit more. It seems my sister has helped to some degree. “Hello to you too.”
Eve chuckles and loops their arms together as Sera releases my hand. “You’re with me.”
My brows furrow. “What are you doing?”
“Rescuing her, obviously,” she says pointedly, like I should’ve read her mind already. “You’re brooding, and it’s uncomfortable for everyone.”
A soft sound of indignation escapes Sera, though the relief shows on her face.
“We’re doing the sea-knot rite later, and you have to join us,” Eve says, looking far too excited for Sera’s hesitance right now.
“The what?”
“Don’t worry, it’s just a harmless tradition,” she says, softening her tone. “We braid cords with shells and things to symbolize wishes for the coming season. Unmated girls do it forfuture mates, and mated ones do it to strengthen their bonds. I think you qualify for that.”
Sera’s cheeks flush just enough for me to catch, but more so, I feel the internal battle happening. Part of her wants to try and blend in, while the other wants to flee.
