CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO.

(MELIORA'S POV)


It was around noon when my friends came giggling back into our small cabin. Their arms were full of bundles of freshly washed clothes that were neatly folded. The joyful smiles on their faces showed they were in very cheerful moods.

Suzanne looked at me with a sympathetic expression. "This little room is going to feel so empty and quiet without all of us girls here together, Liora," she said.


"If you want, I could talk to Martha about maybe having you move to stay in the younger girls' quarters before we leave?"

But I shook my head. I did not want to trouble anyone or be an inconvenience. "No need for that," I replied. "I'm actually quite comfortable staying here alone, so don't worry about me."

Suzanne nodded in understanding. "Okay, if you're sure that's really what you want."

Just then, there was a knock at our door. A young servant girl stood there when we opened it. "You ladies are needed outside right away," she told us.

Beth's eyes grew wide with excitement when she heard this. "Oh, don't tell me our partners are already here and ready for us to leave with them!" she exclaimed happily. She hurriedly started changing into a nicer dress, suitable for traveling.

"It's just past midday," Anna said, using logic. "I bet they want us to get an early start since it will be such a long journey to travel to their packs' lands."

Within half an hour, the girls had finished primping and preening themselves. They packed their modest belongings into small bags to take with them.

I watched them prepare with mixed feelings – I felt happiness for their exciting futures, but also sadness that they would soon be leaving me.

"Don't look so glum and sad, Liora," Anna said. She gave me a gentle side-hug. "We'll write you letters as often as we can to stay in touch and let you know how we're doing."

I could only nod silently in response, not wanting to dampen their joyous, celebratory moods with my melancholy.

The sounds of commotion and activity outside drew our attention. We all went out to see what was happening. There was a small caravan of carriages and horses waiting, with the visiting alpha males gathered nearby.

Each of my friends immediately recognized her new mate among the group of strong, virile-looking strangers. With shy, blushing smiles, they drifted over to join the men who had chosen them.

I remained rooted in place for a moment, watching the bittersweet scene unfold before me. The happiness I felt for them was mixed with sadness to see them go. But then I felt a familiar hand land on my arm, giving it a gentle, comforting squeeze.

"Don't just stand there like a lump on a log," Martha teased with a warm smile. She tugged on my arm to get me moving with her. "Let's go give the girls a proper farewell before they leave."

As we approached the group, Anna's eyes lit up when she saw Martha. "Martha! I thought we wouldn't get to see you again before we were leaving!" she exclaimed.

"I came by earlier to pack my things and move them out of our cabin," Martha explained. "But you'd all gone washing by the time I got there."

She turned to the other girls. "So you lovely ladies are finally off to start your new lives as wives, huh?"

Suzanne nodded, her face glowing with the look of a blushing new bride. "Yes, but we'll absolutely keep in touch with both of you," she promised. "We're best friends forever, after all!"

There were long, fierce hugs exchanged all around as we committed this pivotal goodbye moment to memory.

At last, with final parting waves and well-wishes, the girls climbed aboard the awaiting carriages. Martha and I stood side-by-side, watching until the modest caravan had slowly disappeared from view as it traveled down the winding forest path.

As we turned to go our separate ways, I felt an odd sense of closure envelop me. One chapter of my life among these kind, resilient women was ending. But a new chapter, rife with untold possibilities, now beckoned me ahead into the future.

Though the path immediately before me seemed daunting and uncertain, I realized the warmth and camaraderie I'd found here would not be so easily extinguished.

Their comfort and care had helped buoy me through my darkest hours and allowed me to regain my footing when I struggled.

My path would change course drastically very soon, there was no denying that. But thanks to these cherished friendships, I knew I would eventually find my way forward again – one brave, fortifying step at a time.


I had just laid back in bed after my friend's departure, thinking about my own life when the cabin door banged open.

"You in there, girl! Why are you still lying about it?" Elder Abigail's gruff voice carried through the thin wooden door. "It's high time you hauled yourself to the kitchen and helped with the midday meal preparations!"

With a weary sigh, I called back, "My apologies, Elder Abigail. I'll join you directly."

Reluctantly, I rose and dressed in my plain kitchen smock before making my way across the village green. Upon entering the bustling kitchen area, I noticed several unfamiliar faces amidst the usual crew of servants.

They must be newly assigned helpers, I realized, brought in to replace the girls who had departed with their mates.

Keeping my expression neutral, I gave a small dip of my head in polite greeting before seamlessly integrating myself into the flurry of meal preparations already underway.

Despite the swirl of troubling thoughts occupying my mind, I was determined to avoid drawing any undue attention or censure upon myself during this transitional period.

For I knew all too well that a single misstep could potentially jeopardize my fragile position and standing here. So I resolved to simply keep my head down, work diligently, and steer well clear of any conflicts or unpleasant entanglements that might arise.


My hopes rested on maintaining a peaceful, unobtrusive presence until I could discern my best path forward from this unexpected crossroads.