Shifted Fate by Alicia S.Rivers

Shannon turned back to Brandon with a smile. She stepped up next to him. “Are you ready?”

Brandon’s eyes flicked to Vince, and then Garth stood. I watched m pale, and then be worked a smile onto his face. “Of course I am I love you.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Let’s get mated.”

He took her hand, and together they turned to the priestess. She waved them closer and smiled “Come closer. The moon is already in the sky, and the goddess herself is staring down on us.” Shannon and Brandon both stepped up in front of the priestess, and then she waved her hand down to the pillows. “Knee.”

Shannon dropped to her knees first. Her one band still in Brandon’s hands. She tugged him down. “Come on, babe.” She smiled up at him, and everyone could see his hesitation. Brandon looked back to the crowd. I watched as his eyes connected with Garith. He paled further when he saw Garith playing with a tiny ball of lig. He did it in such a way that no one else noticed except me. The threat was there. Garith was showing off his magic. Which was something I wasn’t sure he had until the very moment. I focused on Rowan. Garith is on the back pew by himself, in the mask with gold details around the eyes. I watched Rowan start to turn. Don’t look back, you fool. I shook my head. I’m telling you this because he has magic. So tread very carefully.

I watched as he nodded slightly, and I felt my stomach settle a little. His voice whispered in my mind. You don’t have to yell at me, my love. I can hear you just fine. His lips curled at the edge, and I wanted to crawl into his lap. I must have projected my thoughts because he laughed loudly. Everyone in the room turned to look at him, and murmurs started across the people gathered.

“Is he really drunk off the two or three glasses of champagne?” One of the smallest females there leaned closer to her friend. “I can drink more than that.”

Her friend laughed quietly. “Maybe he doesn’t drink and is a total lightweight.”

man turned around. “I’ve been to parties in the capital. He drinks…this is weird. I’ve seen him drink bottles and walk straight. Maybe Vince gave

pinched as she looked back with a glare. “Shush.

up at Brandon and tugged his arm once again. Rowan groaned.

confusion. Brandon turned to look at my mate. “What does

He lowered his voice, or pretended to, and whisper- yelled. “At least it feels like it’s been an hour.” He earned a

burned red. Shwe tugged at Brandon’s

away, but then a deep voice rang out from the very back. ” You are wasting

his knees. Garith’s voice was enough to make the decision for him. “I apologize.” Brandon turned to Shannon and smiled. “It was a bet between Derek and me. He wanted me to make it seem like I was confused.

I could see the confusion behind his eyes. He hadn’t done any of that, but Brandon was his best friend. He wouldn’t out his lie. He would just go along with it. He laughed. “Sorry Shan. I had

enough to catch the lie they were feeding

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