The cheer goes up again, this time it lasts longer and is wilder.
“So, we matched up a whole heap of people based on likes, dislikes, history, chemistry, and their personalities. Everything we knew about them was taken into account. And then we introduced them via some painted stones that they get to give to their match today. An exchange, if you will. They had two dates to get to know each other that were specifically tailored by the Pack Makers to engage the groups in conversations. If you choose not to continue with your match, put the stone in the basket. Otherwise, offer it to your match. If they accept, just walk over to your table and wait there.”
She looks around, smiling widely.
“But now, today is the day, now is the time we get to find out if these potential packs have been Smitten!”
The crowd explodes. In amongst the strangers’ faces, I see people I know and recognise. But not the one face I want to see.
Where is she?
“All right, let’s get Sebastian Sol up here and his pretty potential omega Shandy Livied.”
Sebastian glowers at his mother and stalks up to her.
“How did you do, Sebastian? And where is your match?” she asks, and I think she’s enjoying his discomfort.
He glares at her and then dumps his rock in the bucket.
The crowd awws, but he moves on and disappears.
”Next up is Cordelia Lake.”
I stop paying attention. Asher goes up and rejects her grumpy match. Felix does, too.
I look around, scanning the crowd.
Did we do something wrong? Did we put too much pressure on her? Was the nest not good enough?
Elijah grabs my fist and holds it. “She will be here.”
Lorelei and her friends call up more and more people until there are only a handful of us left.
I shift uneasily and turn around, scanning the crowds. Where is she?
Devon lets out an uneasy growl.
“Pack Hart. Devon, Elijah, and Mack, and their match Sofia Sol.”
“Come on, Mack.”
Devon’s got the stone gripped tight in his fist.
“It doesn’t matter if she’s not here; she’s ours,” I say, trying to mean it.
It matters; we all know it matters.
We get up there, and I turn slowly, facing the crowd. It stretches on and on, all I can see are people staring at us, phones held up in their hands, recording our torment.
“Sofia Sol?” Lorelei calls out. “Did anyone check on her this morning?” Lorelei hisses to Asher.
Asher shrugs. “No, we were busy. You wanted us here.”
“We can’t wait-” Kylie says.
“Just give it a minute,” Devon hisses.
“Devon, she’s not here; she’s not coming.”
