Luna stared at the ceiling of her new private room, counting the geometric shapes for the umpteenth time that night.
4356...
Always 4356.
No matter how many times she counted them, hoping the number would magically change and give her something new to focus on, something that would distract her mind from the constant whirlpool of thoughts that wouldn't let her sleep.
The patterns never changed.
Her enormous wolf was curled on one side of the bed, his presence a silent comfort. Occasionally, the beast would turn his head to look at her with those eyes that seemed to understand too much.
Too much about her pain. Too much about her choices.
"I know," Luna whispered to the darkness, her voice barely audible even in the quiet room. "I'm a coward."
The wolf made a low sound in his throat.
Not disagreement. It was... understanding, maybe. Or pity.
Luna wasn't sure which was worse.
She sat up in bed, hugging her knees against her chest. A childish position…
