Another chimed in, laughter in his voice. “Careful, Adriana. If our Alpha gets exhausted and can’t lead the next border patrol, the elders might hold you responsible.”
She managed a tight smile and raised both hands in mock surrender.
“It’s nothing like that,” she said, lifting her trouser leg slightly to reveal the swelling around her ankle. “I wasn’t watching where I was going and paid for it.”
They chuckled sympathetically, their assumptions unchanged.
Adriana lowered the fabric again and stepped inside her office.
The door closed softly behind her.
In the quiet, she allowed herself one long breath.
Very soon, she told herself, none of this would matter anymore.
By the time Adriana finally sat down and peeled back the fabric around her ankle, the bruising had deepened into an angry shade of purple. The swelling was far worse than before. Walking on it earlier—out of stubbornness more than necessity—had clearly made it deteriorate.