Vanc
the massive office, my eyes darting from the towering bookshelves to the cold f
et. He took a deep, steadying breath, and when he spoke, his voice was the calm,
my knee. A small, dark stain of blood was beginning to seep thr
closer, his voice a harsh whisper. "Get on the fl
ank to the floor, tucking myself into the shadows beside the heavy
of his shirt, a pointless gesture to erase a sc
blue dress, offered a perfect smile that didn't quite reach her percepti
aid, stepping aside to let them in.
an almost imperceptible sweep, before it landed o
ed, rushing forward. "What is
y fake. The guilt of deceiving Moira, the woman who had taken me in when I ha
od. The air, scrubbed clean by the purifier, still held a faint trace off of the air, and her eyes narrowed with suspicio
oke, his voice laced with authority and a carefull
"Elara's inner wolf has been... active. It's a sign of her coming of ag
on and necessary practice for an Al
erfect blend of a leader's concern and a guardian's apology. "The pre
derstanding and sympathy. "Oh, you poor
e a curtain to hide my face. I gave a small, shaky nod, a co
but I could see the doubt lingering in her eyes. She sensed that Ryker's "conce
first shift. Training is indeed crucial. However, such guidance is usually handled by t
my Beta," he said, his voice resonating with loyalty. "My b
llen comrade, elevating his image from a mere leader to a paragon of honor. Moira
lic formality. "That wound needs to be seen to. Moira, would you pleas
ing me off to Moira, performin
her, limping theatrically, my gaze fixed
charged moment. Hers were filled with cold assessment. Mine, I
ned back against it, his facade finally cracking. Seraphina w
she murmured, her voice sweet,
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