NORA
It was working!
I never thought I’d find myself wearing rags and dust, crouching beneath towering trees, watching the gates of Cardan’s packhouse like a starving beggar. But here I was, every detail of my appearance carefully crafted to look helpless, lost, and absolutely forgettable.
The guards standing at the post were big… their shoulders squared, hands on their swords, eyes sharp like hawks. I waited until the right moment and stepped into their line of sight.
“Halt!” one of them barked. “Who are you? State your business.”
I let my voice tremble just a little. “Please… I mean no harm. I’m a lone wolf. I’ve come seeking shelter. I want to pledge my allegiance to the Alpha.”
The two guards looked at each other. One of them scoffed. “The Alpha doesn’t take in strays. Turn aroun
