r P

haze of my fury back into the deepest corners of m

woman sitting across

attendant. She had been the one sent to fetch me from the small human village where I'd been raised. Of all the

lips pressed into a thin line. She se

s my fi

voice to sound small and nervous.

gave me a brief, assessing glance. "Another hour to th

my shoulders to slump. "I'm... I'm a little scared," I whispered, l

change. "They're your famil

ing a note of childish worry. "I heard they like

her gray eyes. A slight arch of one e

"I also heard that my grandmother, Ms. Herta, is a very

re straightened almost imperceptibly. A hint o

tuary," she said, her voice a little less fla

ing to fill them with a desperate, pleading hope. "Could I

o a near-whisper. "I feel so alone. I think...

ther in a firm line. "Impossible. The Alpha's

shes, but I refused to let them fall. I bit my lower lip, a perfect

y, a flicker of discomfort on her stern face. I

hear it. "I just... I wanted to meet a true elder first. Someo

odl

loyal to a matriarch like Herta, would value most. Not the Alpha's o

and heavy. The only sound was the rhythmic cl

pounding a slow, steady rhythm against my ribs. I ha

t confidante, surely shared those sentiments. Bringing me, the true-blooded but 'flawed' heir, to Herta first... it wouldn't be

ee it through the window. One path, wide and well-trodden, led to my

ses began to sl

e hard edge was gone. "For a shor

er, my face a mask of pure, unadulterated gratitu

y, a faint flush on her weathered cheeks

ded. "Take the pa

Ma'am?" was cut off by h

ghtly as it turned onto

e triumphant, predatory smil

t move w