The music from the pack square below seemed to grow louder and more vibrant as the night went on, but I was completely lost in conversation. I absolutely loved Stephanie. Over the last couple of hours, we had talked about everything and nothing at all—swapping stories about our mates, laughing about the quirks of our packs, and sharing the quiet pressures of our roles. It felt like I had known her for an eternity.
A profound sense of happiness settled deep in my chest. For the longest time, I didn't know what a true, effortless friendship felt like. Until tonight, Athena was the only person I had ever felt that way about. Now, my circle had grown. There were officially two people in the world I could genuinely consider my friends, and that realization felt like a shield against the darkne
