ia'

, no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, their words always stick to me like glue. They settle in my mind and refuse

the food itself, but because it reminds me that breakfast can't last forever. Moments like this ne

top in front of the mirror again. I always do this, even when I alr

t doesn't. It should show strength, discipline, and control, but it doesn't either. It tells a different story. My hair is stubborn, refusing

a moment longer b

pack comes together under one roof to celebrate, like a get-together as the humans would call it. Not just t

ally understo

while people like me try to stay unnoticed. In a gathering where even seating arrangements reflect sta

on a pair of jeans that are a little too tight and a T-shirt that has clearly seen better days. I run a brus

mall shrug, giving up. There'

I hear my mother call from do

been in the kitchen-the mess gives me away every time. Still, she asks anyway. She always do

ing it on. It feels like armor. A soft barrier between me and the wor

with the smell of syrup lingering from earlier. The house feels warm, liv

m and focused, while Mom moves around, serving food. My younger brothe

h a warm smile, gesturing to a

where I'm not measured against everyone else. There's comfort here, in

s, folding his newspaper and

ven though I'm not that hungry. "Same as

nd easy. "We could put up

e I'm getting much beauty sleep anyway," I re

looking up from his ph

, rolling my eyes, though a small smile still

ts. He quickly looks back down at his phone, pretending to be focused o

ing the conversation away. "Are you r

my expression neutral and shrug. "As ready as I'

know, sweetie. Just try to have a good time, okay? It

ort

s in a pack like ours. Being seen

drains me. "I'll be there," I say, forcing a

with a nod. "Th

the kind that comes with meetin

eaches out and squeezes my hand gently. "Remem

nd back. Her words help, even if they don't f

ng to stay in my room for as long as

all knock. The visitor seems in such a hurry t

shifts

rything about him carries authority-the way he stands, the way he looks around the room like he owns it. Wh

art s

in a way I've seen many times before when someone of higher rank

stions why

ne a

the A

firm, leaving no room for

y hand. The air feels heavier, tighter

Alpha possibl