The walk from the small cottage to the Alpha’s new lodge felt like a funeral procession. Sarah walked beside Aria, carrying a heavy crate of books while Aria gripped the handle of her small, battered suitcase. Usually, Sarah was a fountain of gossip and laughter, but even she was unusually quiet as they passed the trail of dried blood that still stained the grass from the wedding ritual.
“It’s a beautiful house, Aria,” Sarah said softly, trying to break the heavy tension. “At least you’ll have a soft bed and plenty of food. Most girls would kill to be in your shoes, living in a place like this.”
“I’m not living there, Sarah,” Aria whispered, her voice hollow. “I’m working there.”
When they reached the heavy oak doors, Elena was waiting. She looked radiant, her copper hair pinned back wi
