"Are you okay?"
Vanessa pops into my field of view with a steaming cup of what smells like hot chocolate.
Much better than coffee.
"I'm okay."
The steam from the mug assaults my face with humidity and heat, reminding me that summer is over.
The weather isn't chilly enough for hot cocoa to be a regular occurrence, and the wind is a little too warm against my skin, but the rich chocolate flavor that coats my tongue brings comfort.
It's a small thing, but it helps ground my racing thoughts as Vanessa settles beside me on the bench.
Out here, in the small garden behind the alpha lodge, there's only peace under the vast expanse of darkness and stars. Selene slumbers peacefully a few feet away, her silver fur almost glowing in the moonlight.
There are, of course, the ever-present guards stationed around us. Four of them, at least.
But at least they're giving me this time out here, instead of leaving me to my misery indoors.
