ra

iliar scent hit me first, a cloying sweet

egant diffuser hanging f

le's f

esence lingered, a constant, suffocating reminder

ntrols. I lowered the glass just a crack, enough for a sl

ers you?" Ethan's voice was

s of the pack's elite flash by. They were supposed to be symbols of ho

ful," he muttered, just loud enough for me to hear. "I

ara. Tonight is important for the fa

expression unreadable. "I thought

t is. For you," he said, his voice stiff. "So you'd be

me. "Grateful for what? That yo

did

screeched to a halt just outside t

he car grew heavy, thick with a pressure that pushed down on

sabelle has felt guilty for years about what 'happened' to you.

d, so grotesquely false, that a chill,

ruggled for air, but I didn't look awa

olled rage. It was a genuine question, laced with the kind of irony onl

on. He had not expected this. He had not expected the look in my eye

with pity? The confusio

ought iron gates swingin

used by a strange unease. "Just... play the part," he said, his voice strained.

There was noth

in house, ablaze with light. The lawn was crowded with people, their silhouettes

arranged welcome. This

vived in some dark corner of my soul was finally, c

and entrance. A valet immediate

came to

tone porch. My bad leg throbbed in protest. I stood there for

side porch over there. Mother has prepared a spare dress in the guest room area. Come wit

out his arm, he just went straight to the huge oak door, like a prince returning to his ca

I decided to slow down and go by myself. As a re

to a noble lady on her face. Her eyes shifted from my face-gaunt and strange-to my clothe

" she gasped.

narrowed slightly. There was a flash of r

all the guests around him could hear

ke water. Ripples then spread. People are looking ba