ia'
to sound brave, but deep d
and down, taking in every detail like he's judging more than just my appearance. "I've noticed your appearance, Talia. The way
Of course, it's about how I look. It's always about that. It has
or argument. "We can't afford any embarrassment, Talia. You need to control yourself, understand? Dress properly and e
rt less than this. I already know the pack doesn't think much of me, but hearing it direct
y knuckles turning white as I
ge to say. The words feel h
Make sure you're ready by tonight. We all need to put in our best to ma
of us?
thing more to say. Nothing more worth his time. The door closes behi
runs th
stand still for a few seconds, the plate still in my han
eir faces even though they try not to show too much. In a pack where hierarchy matters, they know th
'm holding and place the plate on the counter
upstairs,
ponse. I already know
he silence that lingered in the house. When I reach my room and clo
looks the sa
g has
thinking about his words. About what
"proper" in just a few hours. I don't even kn
now one
words affect me. I won't give them
I was supposed to go earlier, before Alpha Bran's interruption. Mom doesn't m
nother thing I can do without thinking t
rab a grocery bag, and wa
es now," I say with a
both look up at me, and for a moment, I can tell they want to say something. M
hey d
jus
fore the silence
ounds and smells of daily life greet me. Wolves move around in small grou
just been remin
fabric can shield me from the looks I know are c
htly as I move deepe
too busy talking among themselves, their focus completely else
doesn
ther, the l
ges, whispers that start low and suddenly stop when
tern I kno
e space is usually reserved for those being groomed into warriors, wolves with strengt
ce me imm
with amusement, like I'm something to be ob
t, his tone mocking. "How's it goi
ng each other like he's s
nd respond the on
of pancakes," I say, patting my stomach lightly.
st into
ng, my steps a little faster now, putti
und follow
ng after I've left them behind. My chest feels
to ignore it, their wor
ise of the pack fades, unti
icker and the air feels quieter. It's a place I've come to know
it, I let out
ide down until I'm sitting on the g
don't have
ugh my hair. I close my eyes, trying to bloc
hey l
re ahead, the silence
lo
t of the time. I'm an outcast in my home, a
I try to fit in, it n
round and turn it over in my hand
ng doesn'
ever
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