The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
(Bk 2) Chapter 1

"I'm supposed to do what?" I questioned an organizer who stood sentry in front of the gardens. Behind him was a nine foot tall maze, its hedges thick and green, too high and solid to see through. Before coming here, I thought about how the Games would start many times, but none of the scenarios in my head were like this.

But how could I have known?

All that went to the Games aren't allowed to speak of it, so everything is shrouded in mystery. As if what happens here, stays here.

Yet, through all that mystery, I didn't expect the first activity to happen so soon.

I wasn't prepared.

My mind was still buzzing, thinking, panicking... or was I just excited?

I couldn't tell.

The organizer doesn't move an inch from his spot, taking his job seriously, but smiles warmly like the girl that greeted me upon my arrival. "Welcome to your first activity; the maze. Whoever you replace inside, you have to go out with."

From where I was standing, I could see that the maze wasn't of considerable size as it merely separates the entrance from the gardens, but it was tall enough and wide enough that I would get lost a few times if I wasn't careful. "And if I don't see anyone?" A secretive smile spreads over the organizer's face. "You will, Miss X. Everyone does."

The double meaning did not go unnoticed by me. How the glint in his eyes promised my life forever with someone.

But I try to shake this off, focusing elsewhere.

"I see." I took a step back to have a better look at what I was up against.

The organizer was standing in front of the entrance to the maze and beside him were two monstrous sized wolf statues staring into my soul, looking like protectors of the Games within. The maze, to my surprise, wasn't as eerie as one would expect, as the sun was high above the sky, with flowers decorating everything and colorful fabrics blowing from the inside. It was inviting and dare I say... thrilling.

But who were they planning for me to meet? And was this planned or is it simply a game that I should enjoy?

Was I yet again overthinking things?

"There's no need to worry." The organizer kindly says, noticing my hesitation. "We realize that most of the attendees at the Games are strangers. It is hard to be here for a week without knowing anyone, but by meeting someone inside the maze and working with them to replace a way out, you might meet a lifelong friend or someone you might want to leave with."

Leave with.

That's how they're putting it.

I almost laughed, though I can't help but agree with the logic. A week with strangers was not something I was excited about. By doing this, it would break the ice and have someone to enter the Games with.

Friend or potential... something.

Suddenly, thoughts of my parents plague my mind, their bright smiling faces and hopeful expressions as they sent me away to the Games.

My back straightened then, determination steeling my spine. "I'm ready."

The organizer seems pleased by this and, for the first time, moves away from the entrance, revealing a narrow path.

My heart started to hammer in my chest.

I felt as though I was being tested, even if this wasn't a test but a simple game... an activity that was supposed to be fun.

Before I could take one step into the maze, the organizer offered a tray with a sparkling drink on it. From the smell, I could tell it was alcoholic and strong.

Maybe for my nerves.

He smiled encouragingly, as if knowing what I was going through. "A welcome drink, Miss X."

Again, I hesitated, but only for a second as I grabbed the drink and took a sip. It was fruity with a sharp taste at the end. "Thank you."

And then, just like that, I was walking inside, the thick hedges keeping me from seeing anything but green. Music was playing in the distance, something classical and soft. The kind of music that lulls into a calmness, making me relax a little. It was live, I could tell as much, and full of melodic violins that pulled at my heartstrings with every strum.

With my hand still holding the crystal glass of my drink, it didn't take long for me to make it to the end of the narrow passage which lead to two different paths; the left and the right.

I tried to look further into each way but the maze was tall and thick, which made everything seem like they melted into each other. With the way this place is designed, I wouldn't be able to scout ahead and, just like how they wanted this entire Games to go, I had to rely solely on my feelings and instincts.

Something I was not good at.

I stared at the two paths, weighing my options, listening closely and doing my best to feel... anything.

But the soft music dulled every other sound and the colorful fabrics hung above obscured most of my view.

The beating of my heart drummed along with the melody, slow and steady but with excitement, and before I knew it, I turned, choosing randomly and almost immediately forgetting if it was the left or the right that I chose.

"Here goes nothing." My smile was broad as I walked along each pathway, getting lost but feeling exhilarated by each corner and false trail.

The drink in my hand is soon empty and I am giggling- not from drunkenness but because, for the first time, I felt a sort of freedom in getting lost.

Perhaps the stress from the days coming to the Games has finally caught up to me and I'm finally feeling more than just panic or worry. Now, I'm here, I'm lost and I'm actually enjoying myself.

I felt stupid but at the same time giddy and just happy to be.

I have worried myself to death for days and days, but now I feel light. Like the elephant that was sitting on my chest is gone.

A hiccup leaves my lips, my eyes squinting at the glass and wondering what was in it. As werewolves, our tolerance is high, but as I was starting to feel its effects, I suspect they put something to make it hit us a little harder.

I glanced up at the sun then, hoping it could show me the way out. It doesn't. With a sigh, my free hand smoothens down my dress, the fabric sheer and cloud like. It was white as per the requirements of the Games and it was long and backless.

A movement to my right catches me by surprise and as I turn to face it, or rather him, I let out a small squeak.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were there." I managed, knowing immediately from the all black uniform that it was a guard. It took another second for me to realize that it was the same guard that took my bags away.

He is silent as he looks at me; looks at me longer than I can almost take, with his eyes not sweeping over me or looking away. But directly at me, boring into my eyes, into my very soul.

I half expected myself to be taken away and sent home already by the way he looked at me. Like I had made a mistake. Like I did something wrong or against the rules.

It was then that I became all that more aware of the sheer size of him as I took a step back. He towered over me, tall, strong, and broad, taking up every inch of my space and invading my senses with the smell of his bracelet that smelled of... a dull something. He looked young too.

At least, from what I could see, he's not as old as the other guards.

Maybe only a few years older than me.

"Uh," I began, forcing a smile, but he didn't reply, merely looking but not really looking. "Are you my partner then? Are we supposed to replace our way out together?"

The guard gave no response, eyes faraway even if they were looking at me.

I feel myself deflate. "I guess that's a no..."

"I'm your guard." He finally says, dismissing me, his voice low and daunting. Unfriendly even."Guards do not meddle with attendees."

I have heard deep voices before, of course, but it seemed different with him. "Okay. Sorry for asking."

He gave me nothing. Not even a simple shake of his head.

I glanced at him and I couldn't quite help but notice that... "The veins in your neck are starting to pop out at me. Is that normal?"

The guard grumbles, a blank expression on his partly covered face.

Another sign left my lips before I went on my way, feeling like I was going in circles. The maze was losing its initial excitement.

At the entrance, I was told that the guard's presence wouldn't be noticed but all I could feel was the loud silence coming from my new shadow who has situated himself permanently almost ten steps behind me. Oh well...

"Is anyone there?" A desperate, shrilly voice suddenly called from somewhere deep inside the maze.

The relief of hearing something other than my footsteps nearly makes me jump. "Yes! Someone is here! Hi!"

Behind me, my guard grumbles yet again- probably because of how silly I was being. Under the shadow of his cap, I could almost see him roll his eyes. I pointedly ignored him, focusing on the voice that spoke.

Movement shuffled around the maze in front of me. The sounds were coming closer. "Stay where you are. I'll try to replace you."

There was a lot of grunting, panting and wheezing. Frankly, it sounded like a battle and whoever was on the other side was losing before a rustling happened and a man appeared.

He's red in the face from exhaustion, lips parted with a gasp. "You stayed."

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. "I did."

The man looked young, his face round like a baby's. Large square glasses framed his eyes and a bright smile spread across his lips after he caught his breath. His hair was a mess as though he had been brushing it back too many times and his clothes were similarly in disarray.

Just how long has he been in this maze?

I plucked a leaf from his hair. "Hi,"

He blushed, staring into my eyes. "Hi, I'm Fre-"

My eyes widened as he almost said his name. The ever present feeling of our guards loomed over us. Behind him stood his own guard who watched him like a hawk that was ready to carry him away.

"Sorry," He gaped, sheepish. "I meant, oh gosh, I meant I'm Mister F."

"Miss X." I introduced myself, noticing how uncomfortable and shy he looked.

He also wore white, his suit tailor made with brown accents. It was hard to tell what he was. Like it must be hard for him to identify what I was as well.

Silence filled us- slightly longer than what was normal and it was awkward, making me want to break it. "How long have you been in the maze?"

His blush worsens as he looks down at his hands. "Must be an hour now. You?"

"Couple of minutes?" I guessed, looking at the sun to see if I had been here long. "At least I think so."

"I'm sorry, it's just, all this is just a lot for me." He explains, blinking and pulling at his tie like it was choking him.

I nodded, feeling myself smile once more. "Honestly, for me too."

"Yeah?" An adorable grin makes its way to his lips. "Thank the Goddess then, because I can barely breathe."

"It's my first year," I said, unsure if I was allowed to say that much. With a glance towards the guards and at how they didn't look to want to eat me, I guess it was okay. "So all of this is quite overwhelming for me." "It's my last year." He admits, almost shamefully.

I wouldn't have guessed. He looked younger than me and more confused than I was for a man that's been here for five years already.

With a grimace, he grabs at his cheeks. "I know, I know. I have a baby face. And I look like a nerd. Not exactly the best qualities for a mate."

"What no," I argued, my hand out to appease him, but he shook his head. Not so quietly, my guard scoffs and I shoot him a glare, knowing he was listening to everything we were talking about and was making fun of my found partner. Mister F merely shrugs his shoulders, used to this treatment. "You don't have to be nice, Miss X. I already know. Everyone says it."

Admittedly, he looks young and with his big glasses, he's quite innocent looking, but he wasn't unattractive. He was cute... charming even. Whoever he eventually leaves with by the end of the week should replace herself lucky to have him.

"Anyway," He says, waving away the conversation like it didn't matter to him. It obviously did matter though. "Shall we replace a way out of here?"

He points to the direction where he came from but instead of letting him walk ahead of me, I reach for his elbow before looping our arms together. Both our guards seemed surprised by this, but no more than Mister F, who almost stumbled, his lips parted.

I smiled up at him. "Lead the way."

After he gathers himself, a couple of seconds long, he smiles back. The shock was still clear on his face but he managed a quiet, "Okay."

And we were off to replace paradise.

To join the party that no one wished to end.