Octavia's second Life of payback.

IA'S

of my emotions. The handkerchief he offered was a stark white against his t

ic came away stained with the silvery sheen of witch's tears. I hastily folded it

e werewolf delegates. I couldn't help but overhear... well, not the w

een senses. "That's... very kind of you," I said carefully, straightening my posture and trying to regain some se

. "Oh, more than satisfactory. It's been quite the experience so far. Though I must admit, I

ding this event, ensuring its success, not hiding away and falling apart. The weight o

came to my lips now. "Just the stress of the day catching up w

Because from where I'm standing, it seems like ther

do you mean?" I asked, fight

. "Let's just say werewolves have excellent hearing, a

t my vision, about the blood moon. Panic clawed

u heard," I started, but Zachar

the right thing, even when it's difficult. Someone who's

reaction I had expected. Where was the anger,

e intricacies of witch politics or prophecies. But I do know that sometimes, the future is

t forgotten in my panic – hope. "You... you really think so

n't do it alone. You need allies, Octavia. Peopl

is eyes. "I'm not sure I have those anymore," I

gry, yes, but that anger comes from a place of care. And as for the rest of us..." He gestured vaguely, indicating the gathering beyond the corridor. "We're all h

ation that had taken root. Could it really be that simple? T

aid finally. "This isn't a

course. But don't take too long. If what I ov

ignaling the next phase of the gathering. Reality cras

robes. "Thank you, Zachary. For the ha

h the informal conversation we'd just shared. "It's my honor,

d pretend that my world hadn't just been shaken to

rent groups together for a day. It's about standing together in the face of adversit

and music washing over me. The gathering continued, oblivious to the storm brewing beneath the surface. As

ecy and trust, between facing the future alone or standing united against it, loomed before me. And as the red moon of my