101 - Strange Alpha

The strangest thing to me, as soon as we entered the pack's territory, was the gray, cold aura that seemed to pervade everything here. The forest vegetation lacked flowers or vibrancy. Even with the sun’s rays struggling against the clouds, everyone appeared listless and moved quickly through the streets, from one establishment to another.

Some people stared at the car as the caravan passed, and I understood why, since there seemed to be little— if any — car traffic here. The houses were small and somewhat poorly painted, or maybe it was just the passage of time.

Some children walked side by side, appearing to be on autopilot, and for the first time, I noticed the guards. They watched us intently, and for the first time, it was as if I could sense anger in their gazes.

Why does our presence disturb them so much? Fawn was quiet in my mind, hidden somewhere inside me.

"Don't worry about them," Jaden said, seeming to have noticed the same thing. He intertwined his fingers with mine and