Riona's mission was a resounding success. If her goal had been to turn the entire pack against her, she'd nailed it.
She was still fuming over Trudy's audacity to play the friendly card. How dare she? Just because she hadn't actively joined in the gossip didn't mean she wasn't complicit.
If Riona had been in Trudy's shoes—assuming she had any friends to speak of—she would have had some words. Or, you know, at least done something.
"Hey! Riona!"
Lost in her angry reverie, Riona didn't hear Thorin's voice calling her from behind.
Frustrated, the Alpha quickened his pace, overtook her, and practically blocked her path. As she almost crashed into him, Thorin stepped backward, matching her stride and bending down to catch her eye.
"Riona!"
"Oh!" Riona snapped back to reality, startled by Thorin's dazzling face. She stopped so abruptly that she nearly toppled over.
