Redemption?

Clarrisa.

I stood in the middle of the bustling packhouse, my thoughts tangled as the chaos of the festival swirled around me.

This morning, I’d woken up expecting the usual mundane routine. Instead, the entire place buzzed with activity, alive with excitement. Everywhere I looked, pack members were laughing, chatting, and working together to prepare for the grand event. I hated to admit it, but Ariel had done a remarkable job pulling this together. The annoying fatso had a knack for creating something magical, something that made everyone feel like they belonged.

The thought of her made my jaw tighten. How could someone who had only been part of the pack for a short while manage to win over everyone so effortlessly? It felt like a personal failure, a painful reminder of all the times I had t……