sta

moldering fire, slowly but sure

rising around me, suffocating the a

s the way they interacted with me, the way they took me. The looks on

the center of something far bi

as noticing it

spers followed me like

onversations would abruptly stop, only to res

presence. I could feel it deep wi

n I had to these strangers who had

o me. People were suspicious,

ays been d

y're here be

k to rich to b

tching her from

was getting harder every day

usual chores, keeping to myself

ynamic, it wasn't working anymore for me. Their eyes were always on me, watching

**

oom after finishing up some tasks in the kitc

unusually quiet as most of the pack was

come relief from the

ps behind me, coming clo

y about, maybe a passing pack member going

art started to race, and I picked up my pace, not wanting to find out who it was. I could f

ed my arm, yanking me back with enough force to nearl

going to, crystal?" a harsh

found myself face-to-face with thre

led with anger and suspicion towards myself. Behind him were two others, equa

stammered, pulling my arm free from

lip curling in d

oticed your actions? Yo

nd terrified with his

what you're

he others snarled, while

you, aren't they?" his v

h catching in my throat and

don't know why the

n't fool," Cole spat, gi

y've been watching you. We all s

chest. "I'm not lying. I don't know

r and frustration. The noblemen's presence had unsettled the entire pack, a

growled, stepping closer. "Maybe you think you're better th

said, my voice shakin

rd, grabbing my wrist and yanking me toward them. I yelped

tone dripping with menace. "We're going

it. Panic surged through me as I realized what was about to happen. They wer

down the hall, a deep, commanding vo

her

osened, and I stumbled back, gasping for breath. I looked

was

ding as ever. His gaze was locked on Cole and the others, his expression cold and dangerous.

is face going pal

the leader repeated, h

ing back with his hands raised. "We didn't mean anything by it," he

ight step forward and rip Cole apart right there. But then h

?" he asked, his

eart was still racing

t longer before he turned his atten

ve.

ravado completely gone. The moment they were out of sight, the hallway fe

y at this point. The men

ered, not sure what

ay eyes searching mine, a

r you again, when

to my issues, why they seemed to care about what happened to m

ons swirling in my head, an

say anything,

hings are changing, and not everyone

credulous. "They were

," he interrupted

what you mi

a chill down my

you mean

as if deciding how much to tell

said quietl

nderstand

, leaving me standing there in the empty

might

king feeling that whatever it was, it was some