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Niko
I leaned my forehead on the cool window of Leona's SUV as it drove along the winding roads from our remote village towards the bustling city a little over three hours away. My mom, in the front seat, excitedly chatted with the Beta girls, learning about their old pack and lives before coming to Stay's landing. I took a long swig of the coffee we had stopped for before leaving town, the spicy sweet liquid gliding down my throat and waking me up from the inside out.
"When was the last time you girls went shopping?" Leona asked, looking at me through the rear view mirror. "Oh gosh, it would have been just before the old Beta's wife passed. So what, at least three years, Theo?" my Mom answered, and I nodded in confirmation. "Three years?!" Torrance exclaimed, her voice shrill with shock and mock disgust, "what cruel and unusual punishment you've had to endure."Leona laughed as Torrance pawed at my hair, a pout on her face, "Don't worry, lik
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The chrome and glass structures grew larger the closer we drove into the city, towering over us like a concrete jungle. People walked by, fixated on their phones and paying no mind to the people they passed. They stared straight ahead, cold and unbothered. The juxtaposition to our tiny community, filled with friendliness and warmth, was stark. People here didn't know or care about their neighbour, only focused on staying ever in motion.We made a few turns and the shopping mall came into view. It's structure matched the bustling metropolis, sharp angles and blue-grey glass curving up the walls. A fountain sat out front of the main entrance, and kids crawled all over the sides, desperately reaching out to play with the water, only to be yanked back by tired mothers carrying mountains of bags. Torrance was nearly buzzing beside me as her mother maneuvered the car into an empty parking space."Now girls. We're going to leave the mall for dinner at 5, is that underst
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I woke the next morning groggily, but alert. My heart and mind felt full after the previous day, and I thought back fondly on my excursion. Mom and Leona had become fast friends, bonding over parenting and fine wine, off in their own world as we sat and sipped in the Italian place Leona had chosen for dinner. Their warm laughter bubbled over the whole restaurant, joking about the perils of motherhood and raising teenage daughters. While Leona had Beta Gideon to aid her, she had performed a lot of the child rearing alone after he had assumed his position within the pack. They laughed and carried on over the perils of raising teenagers and the monotony of small town life. Our trek home had been filled with stories and laughter, making the long drive pass in what felt like only a few moments.I welcomed the new day, warmth echoing through my windows and the still, calm of the air around me. Training was set to resume tomorrow, and Mains was being treated again by Kip, so I
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