was vast but there was a massive fireplace designed to make each reader feel cosy and safe, or at least that's w

g that I was probably not supposed to be in he

e the intruder. She looked like a friendly woman, with glasses hanging around her neck and a bi

in here." I said quietly, waiting f

She asked. I looked up a fraction, before dropping my

them, Miss

s open to pack members who enjoy reading. Is there any particular book yo

ed politely, still frightened of being reprim

You can call me Map

bay windows looking out onto the woods. We stopped at an area surrounded by p

was uncertain, surely she would take away any boo

smile. I blinked. No one had ever smiled

ymbols running down the sides. They made no sense. Fear began to creep in, although it never really left. I thought reading books

hat book's a little too young

y, feeling stupid and embarrassed. She gave me an odd look and I shrank away, quivering with fear. My

ront of me to be on my level. I blushed and looked at my hands, w

. She would scold me for my stupid

you go t

myself. All nine year old's shou

t at home?" she asked

k chores." She looked distressed, "but I

at's yo

- but no-one ever r

what do the

. She sucked in a shar

determination dominating the tone of her voice. I lo

hat this woman would be so kind.

"Y

utoring sessions. I looked away from her and out the window, hiding the black eye that ado

o looked livid. My eyes widened with accustomed fear, shrinking back

right." She mutt

ine. I des

t. I shouldn't hav

deserve any of that. You're the sweetes

't really believe her.

ldn't have

ously shocked at my statement. I didn't kn

id the Luna slept with a

d tears in

, "You're just a little girl. T

d out as if to comfort me, but I recoiled away from her and she let it hang in mid air. I stared at it wide

raphy. I had learnt the world map and all the kings and queens in a day. I was proud, but I had to do better. Maple taught me to r

again, I never liked it when she cried. Alpha said cr

Of co

ed! They couldn't leave me here, right? I had to go with them. They'

mind, but hope shone brighter. It was the ho

a few items to put in it, but I was so excited. I had never been away from the pack's lands b

ttom and was immediately pinned to the wall via my bag straps. It hurt my shoulders and my eyes widened as I

u think you're g

h-holida

e lau

ou? Come with u

I knew it was a waste and

the pyramids." I mumbled

l to my knees with a crack. The ache explodes in my knee caps an

stay here!" The Luna c

Why n

She's

"S

t least let her st

rled, kicking me to prove his point, "and do

fore turning away to help the pack get ready. I turned m

n the table, you are to do them or you will be

it my trembling lip, tears pooling in my eyes. I fought hard against them, refusing to prove myself weak

hysical pang, as if all my hope had been crushed in his roaring fire of disappointment and the ash was now my burde

especially when I began cr

felt s