Chapter 3 - Ecos of Destiny
Cassie dragged her feet along the city’s small boardwalk, her audition notebook clutched against her chest. Every door that opened before her seemed to promise a brilliant future, every rejection was a subtle yet persistent blow, a reminder that the path of dreams was never easy. She walked into dance studios, small theaters, and cafes looking for singers. At each one, she was met with cordial smiles and gentle compliments, but always the same answer: “We’re not hiring right now,” or “We already have someone for this season.”
She tried not to be discouraged, repeating to herself that every “no” brought her closer to a “yes.” However, at the end of the day, when she arrived at the small hotel where she had managed to get a room, she felt the weight of frustration. The room was tiny, with a smell of mildew and faded curtains, but it was all her budget would allow. Cassie threw her bag on the floor, sighed, and let herself fall onto the bed with a mix of exhaustion and hope.
Meanwhile, not far away, Mason and Yohan remained hidden in an abandoned house near the hotel. Vigilance was not optional: the call of the Moon Goddess was not just a guide, it was a mission. They needed to protect the young woman who, without knowing it, represented the pack’s salvation. They watched her every move with obsessive attention, analyzing every step, every gesture.
“She’s tired,” Yohan said, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and tenderness.
“Focus,” Mason replied, his voice cold and firm. “Tiredness doesn’t mean vulnerability. She needs protection, not pity.”
Yohan mentally scoffed, frowning.
“You’re impossible. You think everything is about logic, strategy. But she…” the word hung in the air, imbued with desire and curiosity. “She’s different.”
Mason closed his eyes for a moment, absorbing his brother’s frustration. Every time he thought of Cassie, his heart beat faster, although the old grief still consumed him. Savannah could not be replaced, and the idea of giving his loyalty or passion to another woman still disturbed him.
He was practical: he needed her alive and protected. The rest — feelings— was a luxury he could not afford.
During the night, the two remained on the grounds, observing through the hotel window. They even tried to get in, but were stopped at the front desk; they would need to find a place to stay, as things wouldn’t be as quick as they had imagined.
Cassie was moving around, organizing papers, rereading audition notices, jotting down addresses, and checking phone numbers. Each gesture was recorded by the shifters’ attentive eyes.
The cold air of the early morning mixed with her scent, and Yohan sighed softly, lost in romantic thoughts, while Mason remained rigid, his mind calculating possibilities for action.
The next morning, Cassie decided to explore a neighborhood she hadn’t seen yet, hoping to find different opportunities. She passed through narrow, busy streets, cafes with improvising musicians, and art galleries hidden behind discreet doors. Her heart vibrated with every new possibility. At the end of the day, chance guided her steps to a nightclub with bright signs and heavy curtains.
She hesitated at the entrance, but the sign announced a show. She paid the 20 dollars and sat at the bar, her eyes glued to the stage.
When the curtains opened, she held her breath.
The women’s clothes were flashy, almost provocative, and Cassie raised an eyebrow, quickly judging the place. She thought about turning around and leaving, but something in the music held her there: an engaging beat, full of rhythm and emotion.
The show began. The performance of “Welcome to Burlesque” filled the room with electric energy. Singers, dancers, and performers moved with skill, combining strength and sensuality in a mesmerizing way.
Cassie was speechless; this wasn’t vulgar stripping, it was art, passion, and talent mixed together, something that deeply inspired her. Every movement and every note sung lit a fire inside her, reigniting the determination to follow her dream.
“This…” she murmured to herself, her eyes shining. “This is what I want to be a part of.”
After the show, Cassie turned to the bar, discretely watching the bartender, Peter, who seemed enchanted, having watched her reactions throughout the night’s performances.
She took a deep breath, feeling a wave of courage build inside her. She needed a chance. She approached him, offering her best smile and a firm voice.
“Hi… my name is Cassandra. I… I’d like to work here.”
Peter looked at her, surprised by the young woman’s determination and energy. There was something in her eyes that conveyed sincerity and passion. “You seem brave,” he commented, a slight smile appearing. “You need to talk to Chay,” he said, looking at the older woman who was observing the scene beside him.
Chay, the owner of the place, looked up, assessing Cassie carefully. “Are you sure you want to work here? It’s not easy. It’s a lot of work, and the night is long.”
“I’m sure,” Cassie replied, her voice firm, but with a glimmer of hope. “I promise I won’t disappoint you.”
“And where are you from, girl?”
“Arizona. I sing, dance, whatever you need,” she said excitedly.
Chay raised an eyebrow. How could she put a country girl on her stage just like that?
“We’re not looking for dancers, honey.”
Cassie looked around; she needed this opportunity. When she saw a tray sitting there, she placed the last drink Peter had prepared on it and smiled.
“I can serve, I have experience as a waitress.”
Her eyes shone with hope, and Peter looked at Chay with a side smile, encouraging her. He had found Cassie beautiful and radiant.
After a few minutes of negotiation, Peter convinced Chay, who agreed to let her start as a waitress. Cassie felt a burst of relief and joy. She was finally inside a place that breathed art, where she could observe and, who knows, convince the owner to let her show her talent in a future audition.
Meanwhile, Mason and Yohan continued to observe from afar, studying her every move. The building they were staying in offered a partial view of the hotel where Cassie was, and they remained attentive, vigilant.
“She adapts well,” Yohan commented, his eyes shining. “She’s finding her way quickly.”
“This is not her place,” Mason replied, firm. “She has a role in the pack.”
Yohan looked at his brother with a mix of disbelief and impatience.
“Don’t you realize she’s our salvation, our mate? The Moon Goddess brought us to her. You still won’t admit what you feel.”
“I know what I feel,” Mason mentally retorted, clenching his fists. “But I can’t let old feelings get in the way of the mission. We need to protect her before anything else.”
That night, Cassie returned to the hotel exhausted but full of new hope. The experience at the club, even limited, had rekindled her passion. She observed every detail, every gesture of the dancers, every note sung, every choreographed movement. She knew she wanted to be on that stage, and the waitress position was just the first step.
Across the street, in the building where Mason and Yohan had settled, the two watched again. The night fell, and the city lit up with neon and warm lights. Every step of Cassie’s, every expression of curiosity or frustration, was precisely registered by the shifters’ attentive eyes. The instinct of protection grew in Mason, and the romantic fascination in Yohan intensified with every moment.
They remained vigilant until Cassie disappeared behind the hotel doors, her every breath and heartbeat transmitted directly to the minds of the two. Destiny was unfolding, and every second spent observing her was one more step toward the inevitable encounter.
Mason closed his eyes, the internal conflict evident: he needed her alive, her protection was essential, but he still carried the weight of Savannah, a constant reminder of a lost love. Yohan, impatient and passionate, didn’t understand why his brother was resisting his own nature.
“She is ours,” he mentally sent, anxious. “We should approach her.”
“She doesn’t know anything yet,” Mason replied. “Our time will come when we are ready to take her without anything getting in the way.”
And so, the night fell over Los Angeles, the vibrant city continued to pulse around Cassie, and the pack, hidden and silent, watched, waiting for the right moment for destiny to finally intertwine their lives.