Silvia appeared at my door a few minutes later, her presence a quiet, familiar comfort. She didn't need to say anything; the look in her eyes told me it was time for lunch. I stood up, smoothing out my clothes, and followed her out into the hallway. We walked down the grand staircase in a companionable silence, the kind that only exists between people who truly understand one another. There were no forced conversations or awkward attempts to fill the air. Just genuine, easy smiles shared between us as we descended toward the dining hall. As we moved through the common areas, the usual shift in the room occurred. Pack members paused in their tracks, bowing their heads in a display of deep-rooted submission as I passed by. In the past, this gesture had always sparked a flicker of internal conflict. I used to feel a strange mix of confusion and guilt, as if I were pretending to be someone I wasn't, forcing myself to mimic the grace and authority expected of my position. Today, however,
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