Chapter Twenty-Five
The Wolves That Chose Her
For the first time since arriving at the Summit...
Aveline overslept.
Not by much.
Perhaps twenty minutes.
Still...
When sunlight spilled across her bed instead of pale dawn, she sat bolt upright.
"Oh no."
She hurriedly dressed, braided her long auburn hair, and rushed into the corridor.
Only to nearly collide with Clara.
The young healer steadied her by the shoulders.
"Easy."
"I'm late."
Clara blinked.
"...For what?"
"My duties."
"You don't have any."
Aveline opened her mouth.
Then closed it again.
Right.
She wasn't a servant here.
She wasn't expected to light fireplaces.
Or polish floors.
Or prepare breakfast.
She simply...
Existed.
The realization still felt strange.
Instead of rushing somewhere...
She wandered t
