The festival has begun.
Blood Crest's courtyard had never looked more alive. The people were celebrating with cheers and laughter. The scent of roasted meats, spiced cider, and honeyed nuts filled the air. It was beautiful to watch and smell.
Adina stood near a booth helping the alpha and Luna's ten-year-old daughter choose between two flower crowns, smiling softly as the girl squealed excitedly, finally picking one that she liked.
"Thank you, Adina," the girl said before running off.
Adina straightened up, the smile she wore was now gone. Even as everyone celebrated the new moon, their excitement didn't rub off on her. She felt nothing.
Not the earlier excitement she'd felt. Not the nervousness that almost wrecked her soul. Not even anger or perhaps pain. All she felt was a deep bone-crushing sadness. And maybe a little stupidity.
