Chapter Three

“Welcome to our Pack House,” Kendra dipped her head in respect to yet another Alpha and Luna pairing. “We hope you enjoy your stay.”

“Why, thank you dear,” the Luna smiled, showing off a row of perfectly white, sharp teeth.

“You are more than welcome,” Kendra kept her head down, though when the Luna turned, she couldn’t help but let out a slight whine of pain.

“What was that?” the Luna turned back, making the Alpha grunt. He clearly wanted to get to the festivities.

“Nothing, Luna. I’m suppose I’m just beginning to get a little overwhelmed with the excitement of having so many Alphas and Lunas here tonight,” she quickly lied, biting her tongue to keep from crying out in pain.

“Well, I suppose for a wolfless like you, this must be so overwhelming. After all, why would you think that so many would show up?” the Luna kept her pepping, kind, tone of voice, but her words were mocking.

Kendra straightened herself. Her head had been bowed to another Pack’s Luna long enough. She didn’t meet the Luna’s eyes, but she still smiled slightly. “Well, as an Advocate choice, Goddess willing, it’s not that unsurprising. Many Packs come together to celebrate someone choosing to take on such a role for their Pack.”

The Luna pursed her lips in annoyance, before smiling again. “Yes, of course. Goddess willing. We’ll see you again soon.”

With that, the pair turned, the Alpha clearly annoyed as they were greeted by others. Kendra slumped against the wall by the door, pain shooting along her spine into her limbs, and every digit. Her chest was tight. It was like she was being lit on fire from the inside while being suffocated. She had never felt anything so painful.

Just as she felt like she was about to collapse, she saw her mother. “Mom,” she stumbled over to her, grabbing her arm. “Can you greet the guests for me for a moment? I need to go to the bathroom.”

Her mom looked down at her, and then went still, seeing how pale her daughter looked. “Baby, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I just don’t feel good. I need a moment.”

“Of course. Go, go. I’ll handle everything,” she patted her hands before slipping her arm out from them to wait by the door.

Kendra was in so much pain that she struggled to make it to the bathroom, not that anyone seemed to notice. That hurt her considering that it was her birthday, but she knew that this was more about the Pack than her, all things considered. She finally made it to the bathroom, collapsing just inside the door. Her body ached. Her bones hurt. She felt like she was dying.

A cold shower might help she thought to herself. She crawled over to the bathtub, slowly undressing. She could keep her face out of the water so her makeup and hair would be fine, since there would be no steam. She turned on the water and stood under it, relishing how the cold felt against her burning skin. She had no idea water could feel this good.

Suddenly, she collapsed. Panic filled her brain. Was she having a seizure? Her limbs were out of her control, twitching and her fingers curling. Her entire body was bending and twitching and curling into itself. She felt a scream rip through her throat, but she couldn’t hear it. Water was beating down on her face, and she couldn’t stop herself from swallowing it since she couldn’t even close her mouth.

I’m going to die here she told herself as hot tears leaked down her face, a stark contrast to the frigid water.

Her vision began to blur, then faded to black, and her body kept convulsing.