ZARA:
The attacks from neighboring packs have been increasing lately. Raids and kidnappings on the outer borders were rising, and people were starting to doubt the Alpha’s capabilities. That annoyed me to the core. Even if Maximus wasn't really kind, he cared about his people. He had kept us safe and made the pack better. According to my parents, Maximus was the best Alpha: he stopped slavery and gave lower ranks a chance. I wanted to defend him, to make them see reason and believe in our Alpha. But I didn’t want to raise trouble—I was already on half the pack’s bad side. I didn’t want to make it worse.
I clenched the bandages tighter in my hands, pretending I couldn’t hear the slurs. Pretending they didn’t sting.
Even if he didn’t treat me well, I couldn’t stand him being downgraded. I
