by Thea Chin
Then finally enters Irene and her mother. The girl—no, woman—looks absolutely ethereal. Nevermind Chan’s awestruck expression at the sight of his bride, the entire congregation lets out a collective gasp when she first appears at the archway dressed in white.
After she arrives at the altar, the officiant starts his speech. Tsukiko focuses on the words for a while until a voice demands her attention just as the bride and groom are beginning to braid the cord of three strands.
“Is anyone sitting here?”
Tsukiko feels a sense of role reversal as she looks up at the owner of the voice. As soon as their eyes meet, a string tugs in both their hearts. Darren cannot hide his smile when she shakes her head and offers the seat to him. She sees a spot reserved for him in the front next to Jaiden, but she figures it is easier for him to settle for one in the back since the ceremony started.
When the couple returns to the altar, the officiant continues. “Do you, Mister Chan, take Miss Irene to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
“I do,” he says with confidence. Then to Irene, “I vow to love you and care for you in sorrow and in joy. I come with all my faults and strength and take you for all of yours. I choose you as the one with whom I will spend my life.”
Tsukiko hears a sob around her. More specifically, next to her. She hands him a napkin which he takes gratefully.
“Do you, Miss Irene, take Mister Chan to be your husband, your partner in life whom you will care for through success and failure and whom you will nurture and grow with until death do you part?”
“I do,” promises Irene at the brink of tears. “I take you to be my husband, loving that I know of you and trusting what I do not yet know. I will fall in love a little more with you each day and promise to cherish you through whatever life brings upon us.”
“Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
Cheer and hoots erupt from the audience. Besides Tsukiko, Darren tries in vain to hide his waterworks behind her tissue.
“Isn’t true love beautiful?” he chokes to no one in particular.
Is it though? Tsukiko looks between the two newlyweds. True love, she means. Or is it some fabrication made by the Council? What will the report of experiments like hers do to people like them? They look so happy together. What is she going to do to them?
The thought haunts her even as the celebration moves forward with the reception. It is buffet style, so Tsukiko busies herself with plating some roasted potato wedges.
“You alright?”
“Huh? Y-yes. Thanks for asking.” She looks up, surprised to see Jaiden going for asparagus next to her. Unconsciously, her eyes shift to his right wrist.
He looks doubtful. As perceptive as usual, isn’t he? “You sure?”
Tsukiko stares down at her potatoes, her grip around the spoon tightening. It doesn’t feel right to keep things from Jaiden anymore even if he can’t recognize her. Either one of her.
Seeing that her plate is already full, he takes it from her. “You look like you came alone. Do you want to sit with me?” he invites.
“S-sure. Thank you.”
He nods and walks over to an empty table where he sets down the two plates. Tsukiko thanks him again and begins eating in awkward silence.
“Is it because of Angela?” he finally can’t help but ask.
“What? No. What would I have against a child?”
Jaiden bites his lip. “Do… do you not know about the 42nd moon curse?”
Oh, he is still trying to figure out what is wrong. Did she look that troubled?
“I do,” she admits.
“Ah.” Jaiden sucks in a breath. “Did you find out today? Is that what’s keeping you down?”
“No, I’ve known since—” she points at her wrist. Its faded state is covered, but he gets the point. “I work for the Council,” she decides to admit.
“Oh.” He doesn’t know what to say next. “I’m sorry. For him, I mean. And all the pain he’s caused you.”
She smiles genuinely. “It’s alright. I had good friends who supported me through it.”
“That’s good to hear,” he smiles back. “Do you not want to tell him then?”
“That’ll be preferable.”
“He’ll still feel the attraction though.”
No he won’t, not when her mark’s signals are blocked, at least. Although… will he? She can’t deny the feeling she got when he sat next to her earlier. Have their bodies gotten so used to one another that they react on their own?
“Have you ever been in love, Jaiden?” she asks before she can stop herself despite knowing the answer. She’s gotten bold with pushing the Council’s allowance boundaries lately. That, or she can’t suppress the familiarity she has with the silver wolf.
“Yeah…” he breathes.
“What would you do if- if you, um…”
He looks at her, waiting.
“If you found out all your emotions were influenced by a higher power?”
He lets out a hum. “That’s an interesting hypothetical…”
“Yeah, it’s silly. Forget I asked,” Tsukiko retracts quickly.
“Don’t say that,” comforts Jaiden. “And to answer your question, I think I’ll still love her with my everything. I mean, manipulated or not, they’re still my feelings, and the memories we shared are still our own special connection.”
“I see…” Will Chan and Irene feel the same? Finley and Faith? Every werewolf/soulmate couple out there? Is it even her position to play a role in this fate determining-process when the Council already has everything running so smoothly?
“That’s quite an inquisitive thought, Miss…”
“Ki,” Tsukiko fills in for him. “You can just call me Ki.”
“Ki?”
His eyelid flinches. She knows the pain well herself.
“Ki! Jaiden! You’re both here?”
They both turn their heads to see Darren walking towards them. Sensing the atmosphere, his expression drops as he takes a seat next to his friend. He casts a questioning look at Jaiden, asking how he knows her, but before he can reply, another person joins the group.
“How y’all doing?”
“Matthews! Aren’t you supposed to be at the groomsmen table?”
“Well my duties are finally done, so I might as well roam around and visit my cute little juniors.”
He ruffles Jaiden’s hair and steals a fry from his plate.
“Hey!” complains Jaiden.
Everyone including Tsukiko laughs. They haven’t changed at all, have they? Seeing them all happy together brings a sense of warmth to her heart.
“And Miss Tsujii, how are you?”
“Well, thank you.”
Darren and Jaiden look between them with curiosity. Just how many of their brothers does she know?
“Good to hear. Make sure you go for that bouquet later because I have my eyes on that garter!” he winks before walking away.
“Don’t mind him,” Darren is quick to say. “He’s always been a flirt. No one takes him seriously though.”
“I know. Thanks though.”
“So are you from Chan’s side?” Jaiden inquires.
Good question. Neither the groom nor bride remembers her anymore. What is she supposed to say? That the Council sent her here? She doesn’t even know why they did, but she was too excited to question it.
“Irene’s,” she decides, hoping they are not as close to her. “I was a frequent customer.” Was.
The boys make knowing noises and offer their compliments for Yellow Brick. Tsukiko is glad that no other uncomfortable questions were raised after that, and soon came time for the said bouquet toss.
“Ready?” Irene giggles, exhilarated.
A cheer from the crowd prompts her to turn around and swing her flowers.
“One!
” cries the crowd.
“Two!” yells the DJ.
“Three!” The bouquet soars through the air. Everyone gasps in unison as it flies, flies, and flies right into Tsukiko’s—
Nope! She didn’t spend a year sneaking around St. Valentine’s underground corridors just to draw attention to herself now. She quickly grabs the girl next to her and switches their places as soon as she’s calculated the projectile’s projection.
More cheers erupt as the redhead blushes behind the bouquet. Tsukiko immediately recognizes her as Faith which explains all the hooting coming from the men’s half of the floor and a cherry-red Finley. She mouths Tsukiko a ‘thank you’ before the crowd engulfs her.
Tsukiko disappears into the sidelines as they move on to the garter toss. Not much happens there; everyone basically shoves Finley to the front. She can breathe a little easier when the congested crowd disperses for dancing as the kitchen prepares the cake. That is until she hears her name again.
“Tsukiko!”
“Ms. Silva! Congratulations!” she responds with a fake smile. The old woman was not a recipient of her shot. Tsukiko didn’t think their correspondence was significant enough to warrant one, and now she regrets it.
“It’s been a while! Why don’t you ever come around Yellow Brick anymore?” she asks, walking towards the girl.
“I’ve been just so busy,” Tsukiko chuckles nervously.
“Well, come over any time, and I’ll get you one of those cheesecakes you always order. After all, if it weren’t for the talk with you, I’d never have been willing to be involved with werewolves again, and I would never have been able to see my daughter as happy as she is today.”
“It was no big feat. The conversation benefited me too.”
“Still! Let me call over Irene to properly thank you.”
“There’s no ne—”
“Irene!”
Tsukiko bites her cheek. What is she going to do when Irene does not recognize her?
“Ire—”
“Excuse me,” interrupts a male voice. Tsukiko lets out a relieved sigh when she recognizes him as Mark. “May I steal this fine lady for a dance?”
“Oh!” Ms. Silva looks between the two of them until a smile spreads across her face as some incorrect theory forms in her head. “Of course! Don’t let me stop you two. Tsukiko dear, we’ll talk later.”
“Of course. Have a good night, Ms. Silva.”
“‘Tsukiko?’” Mark raises a brow as he leads her to the dance floor. “Is that what ‘Ki’ is short for?”
“I prefer ‘Ki,’ if you don’t mind.”
“Anything you wish, milady.” He bows dramatically with one arm behind his back and another across his chest as one foot slides behind the other. He then takes her hands as another song starts. “Do grant me this dance though. I did save you from that situation after all.”
She nods, compliantly following his lead. “How did you know I needed help?”
“You looked uncomfortable. Don’t worry though; I’m sure Ms. Silva didn’t notice.”
“That’s a relief. Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure. Anyway, how is your research going?” he inquires, referring to their last conversation.
“It’s… We’ve hit a bit of a block, but I think it’s clearing up now,” she replies. “Which reminds me. Last time, at the bar, did you perhaps see some orange pills?”
“Orange pills? Why? What are they for?”
“T-that’s not important.”
“Is it part of your research? It would be bad if you’ve lost it. What exactly is your lab researching anyway? Pharmaceuticals?”
“Just… classified medicine related things…” Tsukiko casts her gaze elsewhere. She spots Darren with a strained hold on his water glass. “Also, how did you know my name?”
“Jaiden and Darren told me. We are frat brothers.”
“I meant at the Valentine’s party. You wrote my last name on the note even though I never mentioned it.”
“That’s what that little boy called you.”
Tsukiko bites her cheek. Her suspicion was right, but she wishes it wasn’t. “How much did you hear?” she whispers in a low voice.
“Not much. I—”
Just then, something in his pocket vibrates. They both look at the glow on the side of his pants.
“You should take it.”
Mark sends her an apologetic smile before quickly maneuvering them off the floor and taking out his phone.
“Mark Matthews. Whom am I speaking to?” … “Yes.” … “She is.” … “Alright.”
He then takes the device from his ear and hands it to Tsukiko. “It’s for you.”
Her? She accepts it.
“Hello?”
“Miss Tsujii!” Tsukiko doesn’t even question how the fifteen year old found her. “There’s good news and bad news.”
“What’s the ba—”
“The good news is that I cracked the code to the attraction aspect of soulmarks. The bad news is that the Council is on to us! They’re sending someone over to inspect our lab right now!”
Tsukiko’s eyes widen. “Okay. I’ll be there right now.”
She hangs up the phone, gives it back to Mark, and takes off for the front door. In her haste, she accidentally bumps into someone headfirst.
“I’m sorry,” she groans.
“Ki?” Jaiden winces too, although whether it’s from the collision or the headache he gets whenever he calls her name, he is not sure. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, thank you. I need to hurry though,” she excuses herself and walks out the door.
“Is your driver here?” he calls after her.
She freezes. That’s right. Someone was sent by the Council to drop her off earlier. How is she going to get back on her own?
At that moment, a black sedan pulls up and a man dressed in black steps out from the driver’s side. “Miss Tsujii?”
“Do you know him?” Jaiden whispers, sensing her discomfort.
She shakes her head in fear rather than in response to his question. Have they found out already? Have they destroyed what they’ve found too?
“Who are you?” Jaiden decides to shout at the man instead when Tsukiko does not reply. He sticks out a hand in front of her protectively.
“Her chauffeur,” the man replies.
“She’s not acting like you are,” retorts Jaiden. “She’s asked me to take her home.”
“Jaiden, it’s fine,” Tsukiko assures once she is able to focus on what is happening before her.
Jaiden takes out a pen and scribbles something on her arm. “Call me if you’re in danger, alright? Or rip off that bracelet. I’ll come when Darren’s is illuminated.”
She doesn’t even have time to tell him she doesn’t have a phone before the driver stands between the two of them, staring down at Jaiden. “Leave, you mate-less stray.”
Jaiden does not back down. He puffs out his chest and lets out a snarl. Tsukiko hurries to the car, knowing that is the only way to break up the fight before it can even happen. Her plan works as the man rushes to her side to open her door. She manages one quick wave to Jaiden before the car pulls away.
The ride is silent. If Tsukiko is being driven to her death, the driver doesn’t give it away. To her surprise though, they pull up to St. Valentine’s rather than some prosecuting Council building.
“Get to your lab,” he growls. “Quickly.”
Tsukiko doesn’t ask questions and unbuckles her seatbelt to exit as soon as she can. The car doesn’t even wait for her to close the door as it speeds away, closing it instead with inertia. She herself bursts through a side door and flies down a flight of stairs. It smells of death. Tsukiko reminds herself that this very building is where Leiah and Mark’s brother met their end.
John who is waiting inside breathes a sigh of relief when he sees her arrive right as the Council representatives do too.
“Hello. We have been expecting you,” Tsukiko says co
olly as if she hadn’t thrown on her coat just a second ago. Her gown and shoes poke out from under, but she doesn’t have time to worry about that now. She’ll have to fake professionalism where she lacks it to gain their favor.
“Miss Tsujii,” one of the two representatives returns with a dip of his hat.
“To what do we owe this honor?”
“Hopefully, nothing. We’ll just take a look around and be on our way if that is the case. But first, I have a few questions.”
“Of course.”
“Have you been off hospital grounds without Council orders?”
“No.” Does Destiny count if it is connected?
“Really? Not even to Lyford University?”
“Not even there.” Why? What’s at the school?
“Alright,” he nods. “We will now conduct the physical inspection.”
Tsukiko steps aside for them to walk around the lab. The boy had a few minutes to hide everything; all she can do now is trust that he did a good job.
“Where are the others?” she leans down to whisper.
“I sent them away. I figured since they know nothing about our doings, you wouldn’t want them looped into this,” he whispers back.
She nods and straightens back up, watching the two inspectors with careful eyes. One of them opens the drawer where she keeps soulmate-making injections. Tsukiko holds her breath until he closes the drawer without a change of expression and moves on to something else. From her peripherals though, she senses the boy growing nervous. That is when she sees the second representative approaching her briefcase. A few files look missing from her desk. That must be where he hid the related folders.
“Please don’t touch that,” Tsukiko interrupts.
“And why not?”
“T-that’s my bag, and well… despite everything, I am still a fertile female with monthly needs…” She isn’t sure where she is going with this. She hopes he will fill in the blanks himself. “Anyway, all the files you need are there on the desk. I use that bag when the Council requires me to transport them.”
Thankfully, the man nods and turns his attention to the papers scattered across the wooden surface. Tsukiko feels John relax, but she doesn’t allow herself to. After another twenty minutes or so of inspection, the representatives seem satisfied.
