Ten

Kira

Unease crept into me like a silent snake slithering through the grass. Alpha D'Angelo's gamma drove my mom and me in the eerily quiet car. I sat in the backseat, grasping my mom's hand. My hands couldn't stop trembling, and the moisture in my palm made my grip slippery.

I tightened my grip, trying to still my tremors. My eyes darted up to the gamma. He was focused on the road and I kept glancing at him every few seconds, searching for any sign of danger. He turned on the radio, filling the car with the sound of the six-p.m World News, where the anchor headlined financial reports and anticipation of the full moon.

Mom made me lean my head on her shoulder. I still didn't trust the gamma, but I preferred him over the cruel and heartless beta.

She leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "Eat, Kira.”

I turned to her and wiped the faint sheen of sweat on her forehead before whispering, "You need food more. You still have a bit of a fever, and I don't want you to get weaker."

"I'm fu