'Have I lost you? I didn't even know when you fell into that deep sleep. Will you blame me? Is that why you've been hiding from me all this time? Because you're still angry?' The bitter thoughts circled in my head on a loop until I lifted my head, gaze locked onto the clan in the distance, and squeezed the bone blade in my hand until my knuckles turned white. 'This time, I'll prove it to you. I, Vera, won't let you down.'
I marched toward the clan step by step, and it didn't take long for the patrolling soldiers to spot me. They barred my path with their weapons, barking orders for me to halt.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
I looked them straight in the eye and spoke clearly. "I demand an audience with your Alpha."
They exchanged glances and took another step forward, their tone s
