As Serafina wandered past the inner walls, the Silverwind courtyard was dotted with long golden streaks from the evening sun. She needed to breathe, to get away from the weight of pretending and the cold decorum of the fortress.
In the garden, she discovered Susanna pruning the frost-bitten edges of lavender stalks. Her eyes were far away, her braid disheveled, and her sleeves rolled up.
Serafina said softly, "You always come out here when you want to hide."
Susanna gave a small smile after being startled. "And you find me every time."
For a moment, Serafina sat quietly next to her on the low stone bench. "There's more going on between you and Thomas than is generally acknowledged."
Instead of denying it, Susanna put down the shears and looked at her dirt-streaked hands. "There's more to me than anyone's ever known, period." Susanna turned to her, curious, and after a long silence, she spoke in a quiet but steady voice, saying, "My name is not truly Susanna Whit. I was born Susanna Elreth of pack Arindale." "Arindale? The same Arindale that once ruled the eastern frontier?" Serafina blinked and said, "Before the coup. Before the fire that burned my family's estate to ash. I was only seven when it happened. My mother's lady-in-waiting smuggled me out. She renamed me, placed me here in Silverwind as a servant's child. No one could ever know."
Stunned, Serafina sat back. Rumors of treachery and internal strife destroyed the once-proud and honorable Arindales, who were formidable allies to many northern packs. Buried in shame and fear, the name had disappeared from the records.
"I've been in the shadows all my life," Susanna remarked. "I thought maybe someone could see me as more when Thomas looked at me years ago, before everything changed. But because of my past, his father would never accept me. So I remained silent. I remained small.
Serafina grabbed her hand and extended her arm. You're not a little person. No child should have to endure what you did. More importantly, you maintained your courage despite being born with nobility. That is something to rise from, not something to conceal.
Susanna had sparkling eyes. Nothing changes as a result. Thomas has a mate. Everyone still thinks of me as a maid."
Serafina whispered, "To him, you're more than that." "And perhaps you are more important to this pack's future than that."
Susanna averted her gaze, unsure. "I doubt I'll ever be able to get back what I lost."
Then start afresh," Serafina said as she stood. Susanna, your story doesn't end here. Additionally, I will support you if you wish to restore your honor and dignity. I am aware of the sacrifice that must be made for the sake of peace. I understand what it's like to fight for your happiness, though.
Together, the two women stood in the last of the garden's light, two wolves from different worlds united by hidden truths and silent strength.
The past also awoke somewhere in the shadows, threatening to reappear.