Eight days.
The number follows me everywhere, whispers in my ear when I'm trying to sleep, echoes in every footstep through the estate's halls. Eight days until Winter marks me, claims me, makes me his in front of two hundred thousand wolves.
Eight days until I stop being just Alle and become something else entirely.
The summons comes mid-afternoon, delivered by Ten with his usual enthusiasm that feels wildly out of place given the circumstances.
"The Alpha wants to see you in his office!"
Of course he does.
I take my time getting there, partly out of spite, partly because my hands won't stop shaking and I need a minute to get myself under control. The office doors are already open when I arrive, and I can see Winter inside, his fingers moving across Braille documents with an ease th
