The Rebellious Mate

13(i) The Viewing

Asena squirmed as the stylist blow-dried her hair. The heated air seared her scalp. Even the earplugs failed to shield her sensitive ears from the horrible racket the stupid machine emitted.

The matron had woken her up before dawn. A secretive individual had shelled out the big bucks for an exclusive viewing. Contrary to Asena's misconceptions, shopping for a mate was a private affair. Tickets cost an arm and a leg, and meetings even more. She should have paid attention when Nester explained the levels. She would've asked Duma, except he was missing. So was Bebi.

Asena sulked when Kas, obsessed with ironing out every curl, sicced the hairdressers on her. Europa's Shifters were big on looking their best. Worse, Willa, the makeup artist, subscribed to the humans' unrealistic feminine beauty standards. She painted over Asena's freckles and plucked her brows.

On the bright side, Kas stopped trying to showcase her legs and tossed her a pair of loose pants and a top in soft, flowy linen.

"Where's Duma? Am I the only—"

Kas didn't reply as he fluffed the cowl collar of her shirt. "You're ready. Go, go!" he yelled and shooed her out of the hall.

Zane stood outside and he herded Omera and Asena into a car. The Bantu Silver fox, with a nervous disposition, was still miserable. Asena sat in the front to allow Zane the privilege of calming Omera down.

The driver drove rather fast through the empty country roads. As Zane refused to answer her questions, Asena frowned at the grassy knolls, dressed in drab gray, racing past them. Frustration gnawed at her. The interaction with Drach Nassau had left her rattled.

Now rushing out without prior notice exacerbated her concerns. She turned to study the gray SUV with tinted windows behind their vehicle. The tail, coupled with the Counselor and Bebi's attempts to coerce her into accepting Drach Nassau's proposal, rankled.

Zane nodded. "It'll be fine."

Would it? So why sneak out under the cover of darkness?

Omera's sniffles grated on Asena's nerves. If she hadn't stolen the jewelry from her father, she would be in the same boat as the young fox. Neither wished to be a part of Eros' flesh trade, but had no choice.

'We do because you took precautions. For months you barely ate and walked barefoot through forests and deserts on bleeding, cracked heels. But you didn't sell the pieces. Don't underestimate yourself!' an aggrieved Moggie screeched. 'Papa will forgive you. Let's get through this.'

A winding dirt road led to a tunnel carved through a mountain and the sparse wilderness beyond until they reached an ancient circular building. Pillars helmed the driveway. The three stories were supported by massive sculptures along the circumference of each floor. Age had added a green tent to the copper domes of the roof.

Zane ushered them inside through a door. Asena searched for the vehicle following them, but they'd shaken off their tail. After traversing vaulted halls and curling staircases, they filed into a corridor with doors to the dreaded viewing rooms.

"Asena, you'll manage. I have to—" Zane glanced at Omera, now a near-hysterical mess of tears and snot.

"Hey, Omera." Asena cupped the female's face. "Do not let them tell you what to do, or see you cry."

"Ninaogopa," Omera whimpered.

Asena understood basic Swahili because Nessi and Papa used it. She picked up languages easily. While she studied Latin, Nessi insisted they learned a few dialects of the Old Country, so they stayed in touch with their roots. Also, it'd helped eavesdrop on the adults, especially when Vic and she got into trouble.