Chapter 572
Nina
The festival was a colorful mosaic of laughter, music, and twinkling lights. Enzo and I meandered through the crowd, our hands entwined, taking in the sights and sounds of the lively summer event. The air was filled with the aroma of street food and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore.
We kept walking for a long time, pausing at various stalls to look at trinkets. I bought a handmade sketchbook and some pencils for Lori, a necklace for Jessica, and a hoodie that just screamed Luke'. Enzo bought a couple of things for the hockey team back in Mountainview, and with our arms laden with our new purchases, we kept moving.
As we paused to watch a group of dancers twirling in sync to music, I leaned closer to Enzo. "Do you sense any werewolves or other supernaturals here?" I asked, a playful tone in my voice.
Enzo seemed taken aback for a moment, then he scanned the crowd with a hint of amusement in his eyes. "No, I don't think so. Why, do you?"
I shook my head, chuckling lightly. "No, I was just thinking it would be fun to guess what everyone might be."
He laughed softly and nodded towards an old man sitting alone on a bench, his face hidden in the shadows. "See that guy? He could be a vampire, waiting for nightfall."
I laughed along, the tension easing from my shoulders. "And those two teenagers by the water," I said, pointing to a couple locked in a passionate kiss over by the shore, "they might be fae."
Our playful banter continued as we walked, pointing out various festival-goers and imagining crazier and crazier backstories for each of them.
But then, as we turned a corner, we saw a woman walking alone. She was strikingly elegant, dressed in all black, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Her bright red lipstick stood out starkly against her pale skin, and for a moment, it felt like time had slowed down.
As she passed by us, I caught a glimpse of her eyes. For a split second, they seemed to glow red, an eerie luminescence that sent a chill down my spine. My wolf sensed nothing, though. Nothing out of the ordinary, which was odd.
"Did you see that?" I asked Enzo, my voice barely above a whisper.
He turned to me, his attention having been momentarily diverted by two kids who were running past, waving glow sticks at each other and shrieking with laughter. "Huh?" he asked.
"That woman's eyes," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "They... they glowed red."
Enzo's brow furrowed, and he turned back to look at the woman, but she had already blended into the crowd. "I didn't see it. Are you sure? Do you think she was a supernatural?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. My wolf didn't sense anything, but... It was still odd."
Enzo considered this for a moment, then shook his head. "I haven't sensed any supernaturals. No werewolf auras, at least."
I frowned, feeling slightly unsettled. "What could she be?"
He shrugged, his expression turning thoughtful. "Well, assuming it wasn't just a trick of the light, there are plenty of supernaturals out there who I can't sense. So who knows."
I watched as the woman disappeared into the sea of people, the strange glow of her eyes lingering in my memory. "Maybe it was just a trick of the light."
"Most likely," Enzo said, taking my hand. "Don't freak yourself out. We're safe here."
As Enzo and I continued our stroll through the lively festival, we stumbled upon a small tent adorned with
mystical symbols and glowing lanterns. A sign out front proclaimed 'Madame Zara - Fortune Teller Extraordinaire Enzo raised an eyebrow skeptically as I stopped in front of it.
"Fortune teller?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Really, Nina?"
I laughed, tugging at his hand playfully. "Come on, it could be fun! It's just a game, nothing serious."
He hesitated, glancing at the tent. "I don't know. These things are usually scams."
I nudged him gently. "It's just for fun, Enzo. Let's see what the future supposedly holds for us."
With a reluctant chuckle, Enzo agreed, and we entered the dimly lit tent. Inside, an elderly woman with a shawl draped over her shoulders and a crystal on her forehead sat at a small table, her eyes peering at us over a crystal ball.
"Welcome, seekers of the future," she said in a mystical tone. "I am Madame Zara. Who wishes to know their fate?"
I stepped forward, curiosity piqued. "I'll go first."
"And what is your name?" the fortune teller asked.
"Nina."
"Welcome, Nina." Madame Zara beckoned me to sit across from her, and I extended my hand. She took it gently, her fingers tracing the lines of my palm. Her eyes narrowed as she studied them intently.
"Ah, I see a journey... a journey of the heart," she murmured, her voice a soft whisper.
Enzo, standing beside me, snorted softly. "That's pretty vague."
Madame Zara ignored his comment, her focus entirely on my hand. Suddenly, her expression changed. Her eyes widened, and she let out a small gasp, her gaze shifting to my belly.
"Are you... are you pregnant?" she asked, her voice quivering.
I nodded, a bit taken aback by her reaction. "Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"
Her face paled, and she stood abruptly, knocking her chair back. "Take your money back," she said, pushing the few bills I had placed on the table towards me. "Leave. Now."
I sat there, stunned. "Wait, what's wrong? What did you see?"
But Madame Zara was already shuffling towards the back of the tent, her hands trembling. "I cannot help you. Please, just go."
It was then that Enzo's protective instincts kicked in. He stepped forward, placing himself between me and the fortune teller. "Hold on," he said firmly. "You can't just scare us like that and then tell us to leave. What did you see? What's wrong with our baby?"
Madame Zara turned back to face us, her eyes filled with fear. "It's not my place to say. Please, just leave."
Enzo's jaw clenched, his frustration evident. "No, you can't just drop a bombshell like that and expect us to walk away. Tell us what's going on."
I reached out, touching his arm. "Enzo, maybe we should just go. She's clearly upset."
But Enzo was resolute. "No, Nina. If there's something we need to know, we deserve to hear it."
The fortune teller looked between the two of us, her expression torn. "I... I'm sorry, but I can't. It's too much."
Enzo's stance hardened, his voice firm. That Alpha voice of his came out in that moment, a voice that he always reserved for when he needed it the most. "No. We're not leaving until you tell us what you saw. What's wrong with our baby?"
Finally, she nodded and sank back down onto her chair, looking defeated. There was no going against Enzo's
Alpha voice, and I couldn't tell if she somehow knew that or if it was just that the voice worked on her.
She sighed. "Okay," she murmured. "But please, I'm just the messenger.."
"Just tell us," Enzo demanded, folding his arms across his chest. "Whatever it is, you had better spit it out, and now."
The fortune teller nodded slowly. Then, finally, she began to speak.