Observation turns out to be a polite word for surveillance.They don’t assign guards. That would be too obvious. Instead, they assign structure — schedules, shared duties, proximity disguised as responsibility.By morning, the Alpha makes it official.“For the duration of the inquiry,” he announces, “you will remain within the inner grounds. Together.”Together.I don’t miss the looks exchanged around the circle. Some relieved. Some irritated. A few openly curious.He doesn’t react outwardly, but I feel the shift through the bond — alert, restrained, controlled.“So we’re contained,” I say.“Observed,” the Alpha corrects.I offer a thin smile. “Of course.”The arrangement is simple on paper: shared patrol hours, shared meals, shared quarters near the central grounds. Not private. Not isolated. Just close enough that separation isn’t possible.Close enough that everything becomes complicated.The room they give us is sparse — two beds, opposite walls, a single window that lets in too m
Last Updated : 2026-01-29 Read more