ross the cold, gray room. I was still tangled in sleep, wrapped in scratchy she

rning, s

sudden brightness-not from the sun, but from

flowers, a basket dangled from her elbow, stuffed

w to do anything else, reminding me of my mother. Her hai

tragic." She dropped everything with a dramatic flair

ur new favorite

in my head,

She grin

ught. The colors were soft and warm, breathing life into the cold room. She picked up a new pi

una," she said with a bright smile. "I knitted the cover with soft wool, filled it with lots

don't you think?" she said, fluffing the pillow with an exaggerated pat. "Oh, and the stitches? Took

g. "But it was worth it. Luna deserves c

I didn't even know was there. Warm sunlight busted into the room,

?" she chirped, as she yanked the old, dull curtains and replaced them w

es in the corners of the room, their vibrant colors popping against the pale wa

something citrusy filled the room, repl

om and less like a little sad cave?" she

e wildflowers and honey. The warmth seeped into my bones, ch

"Now, don't look at me like that. Yes, I'm bathing you, you look like y

he warmth felt nice. She scrubbed my back gently, h

and began combing through my hair with gentle fi

his hair is a battlefield," she joked, shaking her hea

e corner of my lips. It felt strange-l

that a smile? Hold on, let me frame this moment in my memory

"Highlight those cheekbones, darling. You've got royalty written all over you.

I hadn't heard from myself in years. Mira

ll, shapeless things I was used to. Silky fabrics

she spun me toward

gnize the gir

sparkled. My skin looked soft and warm; my lips tinted p

r the first time

e me, grinning, "Tol

, then-soft and brief-a

ly. "Twice in one morn

ed, "You're

e, I almost

*

a didn't w

n her hips. "You need fresh air, some sun

aking my head.

hen does Luna come wit

e door, trying to ex

stuck in a tower' routine. Let's talk to Mr. Grum

te I was standing there, and the next, Mira was d

, but Mira just shot me a look over her shoulder. "Oh, don'

e were standing outside

knock and Tobia

it, Mira?

peak to the Alph

coming to look for the Alpha in his o

un," he added as

papers, his signature scowl fir

umbly ask for your permission to let the Luna

shifting to me. I instinctively shrank back,

that. He then set his pen do

s," he said. His voice

r, Alpha," she added, her voice softer now but still f

m felt thick eno

e he was amused. Looking a

ange my decision?" His voice dangerously low

uiet. I instinctively tried to hide behind her, but h

to go outs

went out in my former pack, why did I think

me disagree but I insisted. I didn't want to push my luck o

nessing our drama and said with a danger

s so foolish to think th

ing like a plea this time, "Please let t

nt, looked at me briefly and I was s

hou

he tension she'd been holding. "Thank you, Alpha Kie

e he was deciding if our freedom was worth granting. Then, with a slo

eaning against the wall, arms crossed, observing

tugging at his lips. "On your little

ing his head. "Relax, I'm just saying-our Alpha isn't

f that was mean

bbed my wrist tuggin

d sharply, shaking her head. "Okay, I don'