The Dual Claim

at the clock on my nightstand said I had an hour or so until sunrise. For a

er to survive the degradation and humiliation from last night. I wasn't naïve enough to

othes from the few I owned,

years, even though it really belonged to the pack. In one swee

n was dark. Stove cold. No voices. No clatter. I sto

uld arrive sooner than later. I hauled the pack high and tight. I cut toward t

e alphas dragged you back. Some sent trackers. Some just pretende

hispered, sharp and s

He c

l

We both h

ulking. I wanted to reach

crub gave way to the

dn't wait to go get my paycheck from the library. That money would have been a nice cushion. What I had now,

ink fence. It housed the back door of a bakery that poured out he

now "Wane." Just another girl passing through. Her ey

dn't realize wolves were their neighbors. Ju

us, Oriel

we smell like. As l

led tight. I t

er. A large sandwich board already faced the street.

ast, and syrup. The woman behind the counter looked up, then down.

ng," s

" My voic

e or

d as I took a sea

an I ge

." Please came

nodd

toast on a plate, butter soft at the edges

you,"

ore adding gently, "You

puffy eyes, and in a diner at dawn on a Sunday, I look

he heat seep into my hands. It felt good. Butter melted easily into the toast, I wish s

the waitress looked up and told

lose enough to ma

ea

't affo

star

tarving. We

t. Orielle's voice came l

's feeding s

wasn't acceptance,

Someone was watching. I coul

No one else would know m

us home, Orielle whisper

back. I replied a little

quiet aft

f breakfast, and left the amount she

," I told

ck down. "Keep to this side of the street. Stay

ep right

but they carried something like concern. "But y

o the door, every step a fight

it open. Cold air slapped my face, but it

adjust, make myself steady

d me. Footsteps follo

rise on the back

her was