The microphone felt cool and steady in my hand.
My heart was racing, loud enough to echo in my ears, but my steps did not falter as I walked to the center of the stage.
For the first time in a long time… I felt seen.
Hundreds of eyes followed me.
Alphas leaned forward in their seats. Elders stared, their expressions frozen in surprise.
The entire hall grew quiet, except for the soft whisper of voices spreading like wind through dry leaves.
I lifted the microphone slowly.
“Welcome, everyone, to the annual festival.”
My voice came out clear.
Steady.
It wasn’t loud, but it carried across the hall with quiet confidence.
The words felt unfamiliar after years of silence but at the same time, they felt like they had always belonged to me.
For a brief moment, no one reacted.
Then t
