"Hey," you say as you lean on the wall beside Vicky.
She doesn't reply. She doesn't even look at you, her features set and gaze and roaming around the crowd of people.
"How are you feeling?"
"Angry," Vicky answers. "And foolish."
"That's... a lot to be feeling," you remark carefully.
"It is."
"Do you... eh... want to talk about it?"
Vicky sighs. "I'm angry because we're here, having fun..."
"Fun makes you angry?"
"...with them," she finishes.
"The other pack?"
"Yes." Her voice is low. "We don't know anything about them. They could be aggressive, violent. And yet, here we are, laughing, playing games, getting drunk. The Alpha brought the kids. The kids."
Next
"They seem nice," you say lamely.
She rubs her brow and sighs. "Yes... and that is why I feel foolish, because I know I'm the only person thinking this, because it's obvious they're friendly, because... I realise how fucking awful I am, always assuming the worst. I realise that's no way to live, always convinced everyone's trying to hurt us. That's why Ed can't stand me. Why Marco never jokes around with me the way he does you."
"Hey, Ed loves you. He's your brother. And Marco—"
"Ed thinks I'm damaged. Close to the wolf. Close to the moon."
"Hey. No. Ed thinks—"
"Maybe he's right," Vicky says, voice deathly soft. "Maybe I'm... slipping... and not even realising it... becoming a monster... just like Dad."
"Your dad?"
"I don't want to talk about this," Vicky says, voice rough. "Just leave me alone, Gideon Mercer. I'm not in the mood for this."
You're surprised... but you know Vicky well enough to know when she asks to be left alone, she means it. You nod and take a few slow steps away from her.
You could say something before you leave. The question is, would she want to hear it? You stop, look over your shoulder, and...