by Cara Wylde
CARPATHIAN WOLF
SHIFT YOUR FATE, BOOK 0.5
Copyright © 2016 by Cara Wylde
All rights reserved.
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
EPILOGUE
Shift Your Fate – Reading Order
More Books by Cara Wylde
About the Author
CHAPTER ONE
Becca stopped in front of the old building. She took out her smartphone, checked the time then her messages. She furrowed her dark, perfectly arched brows when she saw she didn’t have any new messages or missed calls. It was only 9 in the morning, but as a chartered accountant who was running two accounting and financial consulting companies by herself, it was strange to have such a quiet morning. Usually, her phone started ringing at 8 AM, sometimes even 7, and didn’t stop until 8 or 9 PM. She sighed and slipped her phone back into her oversized bag. She threw a disgusted glance down the narrow street. It felt awkward to be in this part of the city, in one of the poorest neighborhoods of New York. A woman with a baby in one arm and a bag of groceries in the other walked past her, and Becca squeezed her bag closer to her side, feeling out of place in her cherry red high heels, black midi skirt, white shirt, and elegant jacket. She bit the inside of her lip and looked up at the sign perched on top of the building she was about to enter.
“Shift Your Fate,” she whispered. “What kind of branding is that, anyway?” The kind she hadn’t been expecting, that was for sure. When June, her newest employee, told her about Shift Your Fate and the woman running it, Becca had expected something completely different. A small, yet fancy counseling center that combined modern psychology with alternative healing therapy and energywork. “Guess I got that wrong…”
She took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The second she stepped over the threshold, she felt a strong urge to turn around and make a run for it. “Crap,” she thought. “This really looks like a witch’s parlor.”
The door closed behind her, making the chimes hanging above it clink softly for the second time. Becca studied the room carefully. It looked a lot like a shop. There was a small counter at the far back, but there was no one behind it. Shelves covered all the walls. They were filled with crystals, talismans, statues representing various animals and gods, and pots which Becca guessed could only contain herbs. There were candles and dreamcatchers everywhere, and the air smelled divine. At least she couldn’t complain about that. It was a combination of incense, jasmine and nutmeg, and Becca inhaled hungrily. A warm, chirpy voice snapped her out of her reverie.
“Welcome, my dear! Feel free to look around. If you have any questions or you’re looking for something specific, I’m here to help you.”
“Oh, hello!”
Becca smiled sweetly. The old woman looked exactly like the kind of person she always preferred to avoid. She wore a long, colorful dress, heavy rings on all her fingers, bracelets around her wrists, and a single necklace around her neck. Becca couldn’t see the pendant clearly, but it looked like a bird. By the thin wrinkles on her face, the woman was old, but her hair was raven black. She wore it in a long braid that touched her waist. Her sky-blue eyes and fair complexion made it impossible for Becca to guess her country of origin. However, she could bet she wasn’t American. When the woman smiled back, revealing a set of white, perfect teeth, Becca almost felt guilty for her intention to leave without buying anything.
“Actually, I’m looking for someone,” she said. She was there, after all, so she might as well do what June had told her. “Kassandra I think is her name…”
The woman’s face lit up. “I’m Kassandra. This means you must be Rebecca Gilbert. June told me you’d come.”
“I… yes…”
Kassandra motioned for Becca to follow her in the back room. “Come. My office, so to speak, is in here.” She laughed at the word “office”. “You can check the shop later if you want, but I know you haven’t come to buy anything.”
Becca smiled tensely. “I… I’m sorry…” Now, she really felt guilty. Maybe she’d buy a candle on her way out.
“Nonsense!” Kassandra laughed wholeheartedly. “You’re here for something else. Something much more important than say… a scented candle. Let’s sit down and have a long talk. Would you like some tea?”
Becca sat down reluctantly. Her wide, chocolate brown eyes made her look like a deer caught in the headlights. Kassandra was moving too fast, talking too fast, and saying some very weird things… How did she know Becca had been thinking of buying a candle? This was insane! Oh, and the room… the “office”, as Kassandra had called it, was even more insane than the shop. The walls were covered in what looked like ancient tapestries resembling all kinds of animals and mythological beasts. Bears, wolves, and lions Becca could understand. But griffins? Sphinxes, phoenixes, and thunderbirds? Becca decided she hated June and her crazy recommendation.
“Yes, tea… that would be lovely. Thank you.”
“It won’t take a minute.”
Kassandra disappeared back into the shop, leaving Becca with her own thoughts.
“What the hell am I doing here?” she whispered. She squeezed the edges of her cherry red bag. It was rather heavy, but she didn’t feel like parting with it. She studied the small, old desk, her brows rising in confusion at the heavy crystal ball and the big deck of tarot cards. “And I’m actually going to pay for this…” She ran a hand through her long, blonde hair. She had just had it dyed the day before, and she loved how soft it felt. “Tea, then she’ll probably want to predict my future, and I’m going to pay a handsome fee for all of it. Fuckin’ great!”
“Here you go, my dear.”
Kassandra served the tea, and then took a seat in the chair behind the desk. Becca used the small teaspoon to stir the dark, aromatic liquid, then took a tentative sip.
“Mmm… this is delicious! What is it?”
“Oh, just an old family recipe. Cranberries mostly. Just a dash of cinnamon and ginger.”
“It tastes and smells much more sophisticated than that.” Becca took a longer sip, enjoying the way the hot liquid traveled down her throat.
Kassandra smiled. “All right, maybe I added a secret ingredient to make it more interesting.”
Becca shot her a worried glance, but the tea was too good to put down. She was going to drink all of it, then ask for more. It was weird to feel such a powerful need to drink hot tea in the middle of July, but that was the last thing she was going to question about what was happening today.
“So, Rebecca…” The old woman leaned forward and looked deep into her eyes. “Tell me: how may I help you?”
Becca placed the cup on its tray and shrugged. “I… I don’t know. To be honest, I was expecting something else.”
“I know. You thought June recommended to you just another shrink.”
Becca’s heart jumped at the word. “Counselor… life coach…”
“What’s the difference?” It seemed like there was a permanent smile plastered on the old woman’s face. “No, you don’t need to answer that.”
Becca inhaled and exhaled softly. This was the last thing she needed: an old witc
h to criticize modern practices. Yes, she had gone to various counselors, attended countless self-help and motivational courses, and even been part of a therapy group for two months. And yes, they had all helped. Kassandra’s warm hand enveloping hers on the table brought Becca back to reality.
“Let me see your hands, my dear,” said the old woman. She took Becca’s small hands into her own and studied the lines in her palms for a long minute.
Becca cocked and eyebrow. “Well, do you see anything?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. You take good care of your hands, my dear. Such smooth, perfect skin… Vitamin E-based moisturizer, I’m guessing? I love your nails… cherry red fits your personality so well.”
Rebecca’s whole body relaxed and she burst out in laughter. She wanted to pull her hands back, but Kassandra stopped her.
“I don’t see, my dear. I feel.”
The old woman’s voice sounded low and serious this time, and Rebecca felt a shiver run up her spine. The smiled died on her lips.
“I’m not a life coach, as you expected, but I’m not a witch either.” She squeezed Becca’s hands to stop her from interrupting her. “No, you don’t have to apologize.” She smiled. “I’m an empath.”
“An empath?” Well, that was new territory to her.
“Yes, my dear. And empaths are not witches. You see… energy is real and perceivable with our physical senses. Some of us are so sensitive that we can feel other people’s emotions because emotions themselves are nothing but energy. An empath can understand and feel what another person is experiencing from within the other person's frame of reference, and this is exactly what I’m doing now, with you. The crystal globe, the tarot deck… these are for those who come here looking for a truth they’re not ready to accept. In fact, they’re not actually looking for the truth. They are looking for more lies to keep them going until they’re finally ready to make a change. You, my dear, are ready for a change. You’ve been ready for years; it just took you longer to find your way to me.”
Becca shook her head. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying. This whole thing sounds… well, you know how it sounds.”
“I do.”
Kassandra’s blunt answer took Rebecca by surprise.
“I do because I can feel it in your energy. You’re a tough woman, Rebecca. You’re wealthy, successful, you love your job and you work hard at it. Everything you’ve accomplished is real and palpable. But there’s something missing, something that’s out of your control. It doesn’t depend on you, and the thought is driving you crazy.”
Rebecca swallowed heavily and looked at the tea in her cup. She would have loved to drink the rest of it, but Kassandra didn’t seem to be willing to let go of her hands just yet.
“You’re afraid you’ll never find that special man who is worthy of you and of everything you’ve worked so hard to build. You’re afraid you’ll never find the man who is worthy to become the father of your children.”
That was it. Becca pulled her hands free and gulped down the cold tea. “How do you know all these things? Did June tell you?” She knew she shouldn’t have confessed to her young employee. June was only 23. Too inexperienced to understand, too naïve to keep the details to herself.
Kassandra’s eyes softened. “No, June didn’t tell me anything. Whatever you talked about, you can rest assured it’s only between the two of you. She’s a good girl. She would never betray your trust. She admires you so much, Rebecca.”
“Yeah, well… she’ll do better than me. She has a husband who supports her.”
“And you have such a beautiful life ahead of you!” Kassandra studied Becca’s round face, chocolate eyes, slightly upturned nose, and full lips. “You’re a beautiful woman with an incredible destiny.”
Rebecca shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She never knew how to accept compliments, especially if they came from other women. When a man told her she was beautiful, she knew he wanted to get in her panties. Women rarely complimented her, however. How could they when they were busy trying to keep their mouths shut about her weight? Rebecca was what some men called curvy and most women called fat. Round, heavy breasts which always made buttoning up her shirts a challenge, thick waist, and wide hips. She couldn’t wear short skirts, but midi skirts complimented her figure nicely. Oh, and she never walked out of the house in anything else other than high heels.
“Look at you!” continued Kassandra. “You’re ready to go on the greatest journey of your life, and you’ve come just to the right place.”
“This is starting to be really weird…” Becca opened her bag and grabbed her wallet. “Look, tell me what I owe you for the tea and… advice and I’ll be on my way. I’ll also want one of those scented candles.”
“You don’t owe me anything, my dear. Keep your money. You’re going to spend a lot in the next seven days.”
Rebecca smiled indulgently and started counting a couple of bills, unsure of how much she should leave.
“If you want to meet your destiny, this is what you’re going to do: go home right now and ask your personal assistant to book a flight to Bucharest, Romania, and from there a train ticket to Segesvar. You’re going to love it there!” Kassandra made a wide gesture with her arms. “A small medieval citadel in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains… Amazing place! Breathtaking views, incredible history, rich mythology… Did you know Vlad the Impaler was born in Segesvar?”
“What are you talking about?” Rebecca added three more bills to the ones she had already fished out of her wallet. On second thought, Kassandra really needed the money. To see a shrink.
“Oh, and you must stay at The Weavers’ Inn. Get a room there, it’s a must. The best inn in Segesvar, I promise you. It’s not very expensive either.”
Becca placed the money on the table, securing them with the tea cup tray. “Look, lady: I’m not going anywhere. I have a business to run here.”
“Rebecca, darling, your destiny is waiting for you in Segesvar, Romania.”
“Are you out of your damn mind?” Becca grabbed her bag and stood up. “A medieval citadel in the heart of the mountains? I wouldn’t go there even if I had time for a vacation!”
“There’s so much history there…”
“I hate history!”
“No, you don’t.” It was Kassandra’s turn to give her an indulgent smile. “Why are you lying to yourself? You love history! You took up an optional ancient history course in college, when you found out it wasn’t in your curriculum.”
Rebecca’s jaw would have hit the floor if she were a cartoon character. Fortunately, she wasn’t.
“That was in college! Besides, I don’t… I don’t like small towns. I’m a woman of action! I like big cities, corporations, being surrounded by CEOs and attorneys!”
“You’re a woman of action, yes! So why don’t you act when I’ve just told you your destiny is waiting for you there?”
“That’s it. You’re crazy! You need treatment. Serious treatment.”
Becca turned around and headed for the door. Kassandra rounded the desk and ran after her, the bracelets around her wrists jiggling happily.
“You think you don’t like small towns, Rebecca. You created an image of yourself that is not real. I’ll tell you what you hate: you hate people who don’t have the courage to take risks, people who are afraid to step out of their comfort zones.”
Becca turned on her heels, her eyes shooting daggers at the old woman. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“Oh, but I know so much about you… I can feel it. And I know that man… that man you’ve been waiting for, that man you’ve been looking for on all those dating websites and apps, and that man is waiting for you in Segesvar.”
“I don’t believe in destiny, but just to humor you, let’s say that I do. Doesn’t the concept of destiny imply that one can never run from it? If there’s a man in this world who is my destiny, then he’ll find me eventually, won’t he? I don’t have to go to a godforsaken
medieval town in Romania to find him. He’ll come to me.”
Kassandra’s shoulders slumped and a flicker of sadness darkened her blue eyes. “New York is not a good place… One week from now is not a good time… Rebecca, so many things can happen in seven days. Don’t deny yourself this opportunity to finally get what you’ve wanted for so many years.”
Becca looked at the old woman one last time, and then stormed out of the shop. She didn’t stop to hail a cab. Instead, she walked as fast as she could on her high heels, putting as much distance as possible between her and Shift Your Fate.
“What a joke!”
***
Rebecca closed the travel guide and looked out the window. After a 10-hour flight and 5 more hours on the train, the last hour she knew she had until she reached the remote medieval fortress of Segesvar felt like forever. The train was moving at the speed of a confused snail, but at least the view was gorgeous. Mountains rising up to the sky, green valleys, dark forests, and one or two long, clear streams finding their way between rocks and bushes. She could feast her eyes on the landscape for hours, but not from this cramped, uncomfortable seat in which she was currently stuck. She couldn’t wait to get off this ancient-looking train and start her exploration of this small part of the Carpathian Mountains.
Segesvar was in the western part of Romania, in the region better known as Transylvania. She had read “Dracula” by Bram Stoker, of course, and she couldn’t deny that Kassandra had had a good idea to send her here. That was the only reason why she had changed her mind after leaving Shift Your Fate and going back to her apartment. After pacing her wide, modern living room for half an hour, she had eventually called her personal assistant and made arrangements for a quick one-week vacation in Europe. The girl had thought Rebecca was going to see some clients in London or Paris, so when her boss had uttered the words “Bucharest, Romania, Segesvar”, the young assistant choked on her own saliva. Thinking back to that moment, Becca smiled and smoothed down the edges of her already worn travel guide.
