The driver opens my door.
I do not move.
I do not want to get out and face this.
I want to turn and run.
But I do not do that.
I do not break my promise to my father and my Alpha.
I somehow find myself getting out of the car.
I breathe in the wet, earthy forest air.
Jeremiah walks me up the front steps.
I am not ready to go inside.
I do not want to go inside.
I do not know if I ever will be ready.
Jeremiah pushes open the door.
Behind it is a grand foyer.
The foyer is large and open, with white marble floors and white columns.
It is beautiful.
The furniture is antique.
There are oil paintings hanging on the walls.
It looks like a museum.
I flutter my eyes closed.
I pray: Please, let this work out.
Let me make it work.
Let us make it work.
I open my eyes and look off
