جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 4

The Alpha house was too loud.That was my first thought every year at the Moon Festival. The festival was always mandatory, a display of pack unity like they said, but to me, it was just hundreds of werewolves crammed into one space, their energy and scents making my head throb. I was the Alpha's daughter, Sherry, yet I felt so out of place like I didn’t belong here.I had found my usual safe space. The space by the library entrance where the lights weren’t reaching. It was close to a snack table, which provided a social shield. I didn’t have to move around much.My dress, a shimmering blue thing my mother insisted upon, felt heavy and scratchy. I hated the color blue, yet I was forced to act like it made me pretty and graceful. Instead, it just felt like a spotlight. The dress caught every single stray light beam making people look at me, every now and then.Every time I shifted my weight, I felt exposed. I shouldn’t feel this way. I was supposed to be confident, graceful, a suitable

The linen closet was dark, smelling faintly of dust. I clung to Mia, still shaking, the sobs having burned away to a dull emptiness. My tears had soaked the shoulder of her blouse.Mia held me steady. She didn't offer any empty platitudes about it being for the best, or that I'd find someone else. She just ran a gentle, repetitive hand over my hair, letting me be small for a few minutes.When the silence finally stretched long enough, I pulled back, wiping the grime and tears from my face with the back of my hand. I winced, seeing the wet spot on Mia's shoulder."I am so sorry about your blouse," I whispered, the words scraping my raw throat.Mia just tightened her hold on my hand. "Hush. It doesn't matter. What is it you were whispering?"My voice was husky“It’s the bond, Mia,” I whispered, pressing a shaking fist against my sternum. “It burns. It’s like being hollowed out. And the rejection… he didn’t just say no. He hated me.”Mia’s face tightened with uncharacteristic anger. “He