ra's

verything they had on mon

liances, and a polished image that i

g. No money, no titl

being proper enough, for not being gen

I still didn't understand

role was to serve as a contrast, to stand b

they claimed with pride. And I was the s

eply. When their coldness, their injustice, t

ot an

nger cared. Their opinions, their judgm

posed to be the happiest moment of my life. Th

rsity had arrived, and for the first ti

a grand banquet to celebrate

pha families from every corne

pack members, all gathered under the gl

e crown on her head, smiling sweetly as she stood between Alph

ong enough to see the celebration end.

away by the police in fr

s as I was handcuffed, as the

next five years of what should have been my bri

e crowd rippled as I

meone whispered n

it?" another voice fol

ned, eyes narrowing,

the same bright lights as the Donal

nt with big dreams. I was the br

where it had been hacked away d

and scars, some from restraint

ace of the hospital on me, as if its presenc

ped into the hall

cking on me. Then came the whispers. Quiet a

e eyes. She had just been making small talk

Aurora?" s

voice said softly. "She was a good dancer,

's a lunatic," some

he real cru

s in that mental hospital. Not just menta

rely hiding their disgust. "She's not

soon many of the guests were looking away, stepping

ng on Alpha Frank and Luna Me

arance, my short hair, the old dress, the scars, th

ock didn't

and irritation. They glanced around nervou

once speak of how they had hes

y eyes swept across the sea of faces. Alphas,

didn't feel like

nd under their judgment, as if every flaw I carr

I didn't want to continue standing here fo

forward, blocking

stop me. His voice lowered, "Come," he said, forcing a

lfish, always more concerned about keeping up ap

walking toward the stage. Every step

tried to move closer to Al

h of them subtly lean away. Their bodies s

d uncomfortably, as though simpl

ith irritation. "Aurora, if you have AIDS, you sh

r, the weight of his word

my voice to remain calm. "I've been

. Without hesitating, he activated his mental link t

he side of the stage. He bowed slightly

es not have AIDS," the doctor said. "Al

ut didn't apologize o

d the crowd, giving a small n

ept their distance, their eyes filled w

under the bright li

emptiness. The girl who once ho