As Freya approached Rania's table, she curtsied gracefully, her gown shimmering in the light. Lady Alethea's eyes widened in surprise. "Freya, darling, I'm so glad you're feeling better! I was worried you'd miss the festivities."
Freya's smile was radiant. "Oh, I wouldn't have missed it for the world, and I didn't want to offend our...guest." Her gaze flicked to Rania, her tone dripping with sweetness.
Rania's eyes locked onto Freya's, a flicker of tension between them. Lady Alethea's voice cut through the silence, her words dripping with sweetness. "Freya, your dress is...stunning. A true masterpiece."
Freya's chuckle sent shivers down Rania's spine. "Why, thank you, Lady Alethea. Freya's reply was dripping with sweetness, "I just wanted to show my respect by dressing my best. I hope I haven't offended anyone...have I? I only wanted to make a lasting impression. I didn't mean to upstage you, Rania."
Lady Alethea's eyes darted between the two women, her expression puzzled. "Freya, you look lovely, but Rania's dress is quite eye-catching as well."
Rania's instincts screamed that warning, but she played it cool. "Thank you, Freya. I think we both look wonderful. I'm glad we could coordinate our outfits."
Freya's chuckle was low and throaty. "Oh, I think we make a lovely pair, Rania. I knew you'd appreciate my efforts."
The air was thick with tension as Freya took her seat, her presence commanding attention. Rania felt like she was being slowly pushed into the shadows, her unplanned day unraveling before her eyes. The soft glow of candelabras cast a warm light on their faces, but the atmosphere was far from cozy.
"Will Asher be joining us, Lady Alethea?" Freya asked, her voice dripping with sweetness.
Lady Alethea's expression turned hesitant. "I'm not sure, dear. Asher doesn't really fancy events like these."
Freya's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Ah, well, I didn't think he'd leave Rania unaccompanied."
Freya reached out, her hand covering Rania's. "Don't be upset, Rania. I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you. But it's hard not to feel neglected when your husband doesn't show up to important events."
"I'm sure he'll turn up eventually," Rania said, her voice laced with a hint of forced optimism. "After all, he wouldn't want to leave his... new wife waiting, would he?"
Freya's eyes narrowed slightly at Rania's emphasis on "new wife", her gaze flicking to Rania's face with a hint of surprise. "Rania, you're too kind," she said, her tone dripping with sweetness. "I assure you, Asher knows how to prioritize his... commitments."
Rania's smile faltered for a moment, her eyes flashing with a hint of pain before she regained her composure. "Of course, Freya. I guess you're right."
The exchange was laced with tension, each woman's words dripping with hidden meanings. Rania's senses were on high alert, her mind racing with questions.
But as the tension lingered, a palpable force that threatened to disrupt the evening's fragile peace, Lady Alethea intervened, her voice smooth as silk. "Shall we continue?"
And with that, the evening's delicate dance continued, each step carefully choreographed to avoid the elephant in the room: Asher's conspicuous absence.
….
As the music played, Rania observed the women laughing and chatting with each other, their faces aglow with joy. She noticed that the wolves were also being served meat and water, and she wondered if they were considered part of the family. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, yet the memories of her mother's fate at the hands of this very clan sear her mind, casting a shadow over the warmth and welcome being offered.
Just then, a stately lady approached their table, her gown shimmering with fine jewelry. Rania assumed she was a woman of high status within the tribe. However, she noticed that the lady was not accompanied by a wolf, which seemed unusual.
The lady greeted Lady Alethea formally, then turned to Rania and gave her a piercing glare. Rania felt a shiver run down her spine, but she didn't let it rattle her. She had prepared herself for not everyone to be pleased with her presence.
"Welcome, Rania," the lady said curtly. "I am Lady Eira. I must say, I'm surprised to see you here. You're...different from what I expected."
Rania met Lady Eira's gaze steadily, her heart pounding in her chest. "Thank you, Lady Eira. I'm still trying to understand your ways."
Lady Eira's expression softened slightly, but her eyes still held a hint of wariness. "I suppose it's only natural. We've had our differences with your people in the past. But I suppose that's all in the past now."
Rania nodded, aware of the tension between their tribes. "Yes, I know. But I'm here now, and I want to learn. I want to understand your ways and find my place among you."
Lady Eira nodded curtly and turned back to Lady Alethea. "I'll leave you to your...guest." With that, she swept away, her gown rustling behind her.
Rania watched her go, feeling a sense of unease. She wondered if there would be more uncomfortable encounters for her as the time went by.
The time wore on, and Freya's smile began to falter, her eyes gleamed with a hint of exhaustion. "I think I'll take my leave now," she said, her voice laced with a subtle relief. "The evening has been... enlightening, but I'm afraid I'm no longer at my best."
Rania's expression softened, a whisper of empathy flickering across her face. "Of course, Freya. You must be tired. It's been a long day."
As Freya rose from her seat, Rania felt a quiet sense of relief wash over her. The tension between them had been palpable all evening, and Freya's departure was a welcome reprieve.
"Thank you, Rania," Freya said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I do hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. I'm sure Asher will… turn up soon."
Rania's smile was a thin-lipped affair, her eyes flashing with a hint of irritation. "I'm sure he will," she replied, her tone laced with a subtle edge.
As Freya glided away, Rania felt a quiet sigh escape her lips. She was relieved to be free from Freya's piercing gaze and barbed comments, at least for a little while.
As the room bustled with chatter, Lady Alethea's voice rose above the din, summoning Rogan to her side. He leaned in, his eyes locked on hers, as she whispered a quiet instruction. With a nod, he strode across the room, his long legs eating up the distance, to where a cluster of wolves waited. Their eyes, a piercing gaze, watched him approach, their tails twitching in anticipation.
Rogan's voice was low and soothing as he spoke to the wolves, his hands gesturing gently. Six wolves broke away from the pack, their paws padding softly on the stone floor, and followed Rogan back to Lady Alethea's side.
"Rania, look at each of them," Lady Alethea instructed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Choose the one you feel connected to, the one that calls to you."
Rania's brow furrowed in confusion, but she did as instructed. She scanned the wolves, her gaze lingering on each face, searching for a spark of recognition. But as she looked, she felt nothing. No sense of connection, no thrill of excitement. She turned back to Lady Alethea, apologetic, "I'm sorry, I don't feel anything."
Lady Alethea's smile was enigmatic, her eyes glinting with knowing. "Look again, Rania. This time, open your heart. Let your instincts guide you."
Rania hesitated, wondering if her lack of connection was due to her not belonging in the tribe. But Lady Alethea's encouraging nod prompted her to try again.
As she gazed at the wolves, a magnificent creature emerged from the group. Its fur was as white as a snowflake, its eyes shining like sapphires in the firelight. The wolf approached Rania, its tail wagging gently, its ears perked up in curiosity. Rania's heart skipped a beat as she felt an unexpected jolt of connection, a sense of recognition that went beyond words.
The wolf drew closer, its nose twitching as it sniffed her hand. Rania's fingers trembled as she reached out, hesitating to make contact with it, the wolf leaned in allowing Rania to touch and feel its fur.
As Rania's fingers made contact with the wolf's fur, a surge of energy ran through her body. She felt a deep sense of calm and comfort, as if she had finally found a long-lost friend. The wolf nuzzled her hand, its eyes locked on hers, and its softness a surprise to her fingers. As their eyes locked, a jolt of electricity ran through her body, the wolf's gaze piercing hers like a gentle reprimand. Lady Alethea's voice broke the spell, her words dripping with an otherworldly cadence.
"Rania, the wolf has chosen you. It's yours now. You must be its master, its guide, and its protector."
Rania's mind reeled as Lady Alethea continued, her voice weaving a spell of responsibility and care. "The wolf will be with you always, a constant companion and guardian. You must treat it well, give it your love, and respect its power."
Rania felt a maelstrom of emotions: gratitude, guilt, and resentment. The tribe's kindness was suffocating her, yet she couldn't connect with them. She still harbored anger towards them, and the wolf's sudden presence only added to her turmoil. The weight of her past bearing down on her, Rania struggled to accept this new responsibility.
As she nodded, "I will," Rania's heart raced with a mix of trepidation and reluctance. She didn't want anyone or anything to be in contact with her, especially not this wolf. But Lady Alethea's words echoed in her mind, "The wolf has chosen you."
With a sense of resignation, Rania accepted the wolf's presence, knowing she couldn't shake it off. As she looked into its eyes, she felt a spark of connection, but it was quickly snuffed out by her doubts and fears. The wolf's gaze seemed to bore into her soul, as if sensing her inner turmoil.
"I'll take care of it," Rania said curtly, trying to hide her conflicting emotions. Lady Alethea smiled, seemingly oblivious to Rania's inner struggle.
"It will be your loyal companion, Rania. Treat it well, and it will protect you with its life. You are its master now, and it will follow you always."
Rania nodded again, feeling trapped by the wolf's gaze. She knew she had to accept this new reality, but her heart rebelled against the idea of being tied to this tribe, even through a wolf.