“I repeated the action, did I not?” Nalani enquires timidly, thereafter reprimanding herself.
“I apologise.” I did not-
“Nalani, it’s acceptable,” Josie comforts her, caressing her cheek. “It’s your instinct… However, we will address that collaboratively, understood?”
Nalani recoils from her contact before adjusting her demeanour and leaning into Josie’s hand. She shuts her eyes as Josie embraces her.
“Continue to breathe.” “You are secure now,” Josie murmurs, while Nalani inclines her head and conceals her face in her chest.
As the girl withdraws, she dabs her tears and grins once more at the Queen.
“Are you present to accompany us, your majesty?” Nalani enquires when she will chill down.
“I am merely accompanying my friend, Laura, on a walk,” she responds, indicating towards me.
The girl flushes with shame and quickly introduces herself. “I apologise for interrupting your stroll.” I am Nalani.
Josie states, “Nalani is a survivor from Amethyst Lake. She is an exceptionally strong and remarkable woman.”
Nalani’s face reddens significantly after getting such commendation from her Queen. Josie’s gaze abruptly becomes clouded, and her expression turns serious.
“Regrettably, I must abbreviate this walk,” Josie expresses her apologies. “The Alphas wish to revisit the training ground plans,” she sighs in exasperation.
Are we indeed acquiring new training facilities?Nalani enquires with an optimistic smile.
“I shall advocate for one,” Josie states with a smile, gesturing to open a new gateway. “I will see you girls this evening for class, understood?” She enquires of Nalani.”
Nalani nods with enthusiasm as we enter the portal and are carried back to the pack house office. It is only when we are alone that Josie ceases to smile, her eyes filled with sadness.
“I-I… um… I-”
Today, the Queen seemed to be at a loss for words for the first time.
I… um… I fabricated information regarding the …. “Um… the training ground meeting,” Josie states while wiping her tears. “One of my girls attempted suicide today, and I- I couldn’t inform Nalani.” She is experiencing a favourable day. These females cannot have their beautiful day ruined. Kindly refrain from disclosing this information to anyone. It is quite challenging for them to awaken each morning without imposing this additional burden… They would hold themselves accountable if they were aware that one of their own was suffering to this extent.
My heart fractures as I observe Josie regain her composure, and I vow to disclose nothing to anyone.
“I am required at the clinic to assist the girl in managing her actions,” she states while inhaling and exhaling gently. “You are at liberty to traverse the territories.” “Should you require assistance, please inform Andrew.” She creates a portal leading to what seems to be the clinic. “I appreciated our walk today… and I trust I have provided you with a new perspective on us wolves to contemplate.”
She then vanishes into the clinic, leaving me solitary with my tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind.
It is possible that I was mistaken.
Point of View
Melina and I spent the morning with Bray, Aliana, her infant Jenna, and Andrew, grappling with our anxiety stemming from inactivity. Throughout my life, I had never experienced a moment of respite, to simply sit and watch a film or engage in games without concern. Even when there was a possibility of completing my tasks, my mind and self-loathing would incessantly torment me.
As a young pup, my father subjected me to intense education and speech therapy to mould me into the optimal Alpha. Regrettably, I could never meet his lofty expectations. Weekly, he compelled me to stand before him and recite our pack’s history or the laws that governed it and the kingdom. Any mispronunciation resulted in a whipping. Not a single recital passed without bloodshed. My mother would weep in despair, pleading with my father for clemency, occasionally suffering punishment herself for her attempts to protect me. It pained my soul to disappoint her so profoundly, yet despite my utmost concentration, my tongue would stiffen, and my words would slur as if intoxicated.
Subsequent to my demotion to Omega status, I assumed the role of a field hand, transporting armaments for the training warriors or assisting in the upkeep of the Hive. This labour was arduous, involving the transportation of heavy artillery and equipment under the scorching sun or frigid winters. As I matured, I acquired various skills to enhance my utility, including plumbing, mechanics, painting and other fundamental maintenance tasks.
Melina is no exception. With her hearing impaired, she had to prove her utility to secure sustenance. An additional mouth to feed is unwelcome. She faced incessant abuse from other Omegas for any misstep. She became adept in the kitchen, remaining vigilant to avoid expulsion or death at the hands of the Omegas.
While we recline on the couch seeing Aladdin with Bray, Melina and I struggle to relax, contemplating the potential cessation of this pack’s benevolence. Even Jimmy was at a loss for words to calm my tumultuous thoughts.
