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
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