NOR

ngs burned. I finally stopped in a secluded

ark of an oak tree, I gaspe

ough me. That slap, that basin-it felt as if

y were trembling slightly, not

ny Pack, attacking a Gamma warrior

ng a dramatic, one-sided story. And when Braxton

y could drag me before

l was

n with the fire of a new life, my physical strength was no

lly few: a couple of changes of clothes, and...

paper. It was an official Pack document-a "Partners

him to sign this very form. He had tor

I wouldn't

items from my pack:

ages were filled with my handwriti

ture for days. His signature was a flamboyant, arrog

een it countless times. I knew every

liarity was my

forgery was nearly perfect, at least a ninety-perc

ion, in the applicant's space, I wrote my n

s consent, I held my breath and carefully, pain

te, I felt as if I had created

who could submit this petition

They would immediately question

to make the submission of this pe

xton and Bree... t

began t

etition and tucked it into an i

highly respected, someone who just so

wrence R

othed my hair, trying to look as composed

ng toward the area where the Elders