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Chapter 69: Handling Losses/Surprises in the Forest Pt. 2
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Alastair:
Midnight was creeping in, and I stood outside the Shadow Veil’s packhouse. I had begun taking up smoking since the death of Valene; it was a terrible habit even for inhumans, but somehow the act of it would soothe me in some ways.
Eventually, at the behest of Harlyn, I transitioned from nicotine to something made from the local witch coven. It wasn’t habit-forming, but it certainly helped with seemingly ceaseless depression and anxiety.
Though I had taken up the habit, I only took to smoking when in high-stress situations. The meeting that I was about to have on this night would, without a doubt, be one of those nights. and the cause of what I knew would be a stressful night was suddenly on approach.
“Alph
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When Merari finally calmed down, I had to try again. I had to let her know that she was wrong about her assumptions of me. Again, I reached for her, gently placing my hands on her shoulders.“Rari, I did…you meant so much more to me than a bedmate,” I said, my hand gingerly trailing down her arm to find her hand. “You still do. I…I have never forgotten you…even when I should have. Why…why do you think I gave Valene your name?”She scoffed and dropped her stare. “How fitting,” she murmured.“Merari, please…I…” it bothered me more than it probably should have when she could not seem to look me in the eye. I placed my finger against her chin, lifting. “Look at me,” and though it was visibly hard for her, she did. &ldqu
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