CHAPTER FORTY-SIX.

(MELIORA'S POV)


Numbly, I sank down onto the edge of my small pallet, feeling mentally drained from the unexpected encounter with the alpha.

Even though my mind was whirling, I tried to push aside everything that had just transpired between me and the alpha. I needed something to give me some inner peace immediately before I lost it.

I shook my head slowly, as if to physically dislodge the lingering sense of disquiet. Desperate for solace, I remembered the letter from Suzanne that I tucked into my bag before leaving with Martha.

Yes, that's what I needed right now - the warm familiarity of her voice, even if only through written words on a page.

Quickly, I fished out the tattered parchment, my fingers trembling ever so slightly with eagerness as I broke the wax seal.

The instant my eyes landed on Suzanne's sweet and friendly handwriting, I could almost hear her bright, melodic voice ringing out inside my mind.

"Dear Liora," the letter began. "I'm so sorry not to have written to you sooner after leaving the pack. I sincerely hope you've been keeping well and haven't felt too long after we parted."

I felt a huge pang of love warm my heart over her concern for me as I read those words. Of course, friendly and sweet Suzanne would instinctively worry over how I was faring in the wake of such an immense life transition for us all.

"It would truly grieve my heart," she continued, "if you remained depressed and lonely while I've been positively thriving in the most wonderful of circumstances here."

A warm smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I traced the exuberant phrases with one fingertip. "I've been made into and treated like an absolute queen among my new packmates, accepted and adored wholeheartedly into their family."

I could vividly picture the radiant, incandescent joy that must be lighting up Suzanne's face as she inked those elated words describing her idyllic new life.

My chest swelled with a rush of sincere happiness for her good fortune, chasing away the last lingering tendrils of the foreboding unease sparked by the alpha's unnerving advances.

"Life has been so indescribably good to me, dear friend," she gushed in closing.

"I can only pray you'll be able to share in such blessings of peace and fulfillment soon as well. Please write back to me the instant this letter reaches you, as I'm utterly famished to hear every detail of how you've been keeping. I long for the day when we can embrace again in person."

The letter was signed, with a beautiful custom I've never had before, "Your BFF, Suzanne" in an elegant, swirling calligraphy.

Sinking back against the lumpy pallet with a deep, contented sigh, I reread the precious lines once more before carefully refolding the small bundle of parchment.

A profound sense of...not quite joy, but something approaching its warmer wisps began suffusing my being.

Here was physical, tangible proof that the connections forged between us girls during our darkest shared struggles could indeed transcend time, distance, or any other worldly barriers.

No matter what lay ahead, I knew the steady anchor of Suzanne's affectionate bond would always be there to cling to.

Renewed determination seized me then. I wouldn't allow my dear friend's tender anxiety over my well-being to persist a moment longer than necessary.

Quickly collecting my pen and a clean sheet of paper from my new journal, I began penning a reply in kind.

"Dear Suzanne," I etched in a flowing hand. "It felt so wonderful receiving your letter and being able to hear your bright, joyous voice again through those precious words. I'm truly overjoyed to know you've found everything so much to your liking within your new packlands."

My smile broadened as I recounted my own situation. "My days here have grown better and more promising in their own ways as well. I no longer toil over scalding pots and pans in the kitchens beneath Elder Abigail's scornful lashings."

I smiled, knowing Suzanne would giggle at the remembrance of Elder Abigail's gruff voice and commands. I continued.

"Instead, I now assist the kindly Elder Emma in caring for our sick pack members within the community nursery. Both she and Elder Morris treat me with such warmth and understanding, granting me far more patience and compassion than I likely acknowledged here before."

I paused briefly, chewing on the end of my pen as I pondered whether to divulge my other major news to Suzanne. In the end, I decided she would hopefully be proud to know of my recent endeavor.

"Additionally, I've also begun training amongst the novice warrior ranks here as I requested, and the Luna was generous enough to grant me that."

A small, wistful smile ghosted my lips as I pressed onward. "I'll admit, I've yet to forge any true new friendships or social connections after your departure. But between my duties in the nursery and the grueling daily combat drills, I find myself too constantly exhausted to dwell much on feelings of loneliness or worry."

My smile stretched into a full-fledged grin as I concluded, "At any rate, please know I greatly look forward to our paths crossing again before too much more time has passed. I want to see how much you've transformed and I'm sure you'll notice how the training transformed me too." I ended with a smile.

I copied on her sweet customary "Yours, BFF, Liora," before giving the letter one final cursory read-through, then carefully folded it and set it inside my small bag.

"I'll get this over to Martha tomorrow first thing, so she can send our letters both out on the next courier run," I murmured to myself with a contented exhalation.

With that inner resolution cementing in my mind, I reclined fully back against the soft mattress, fatigue quickly overtaking me as my eyelids grew leaden.

Too drained to even contemplate giving any further thought to the disquieting encounter with the alpha tonight.