Amanda collapsed, encumbered with crushing despair.
Zoë had gone on to her classes, for the sole purpose of keeping up appearances. The soldier hid from the world, every so often daring a gaze into the mirror to bear witness to her changes.
11:30 A.M.: Her eyebrows had grown thicker, almost meeting in the middle. She tapped dents in the mirror surface with her sharper nails. Her arms were as roughly haired as her legs, coupled with stubble on her chest.
12:45 P.M.: A widow’s peak made its first appearance. She looked out the window about this time, amazed at the newfound sight her amber eyes possessed. Every other female seemed to be in similar metamorphosis, though none as rapid as hers.
2:00 P.M.: Five hours before sunset…no, moonrise. The voice started.
It was distant, indistinct at first. Amanda mistook it for someone in the hallway.
“Louise…I need you…”
It all came rushing back. Her break thought the lines of she-wolves. Her confrontation with the Queen. The pained look in those lupine eyes when the soldier shot her with the silver death. The sudden rush of…something…that sapped Amanda’s strength and left her a vomiting, confused mess.
“You and I…will reform the pack…tonight…”
She shook with fear. It wasn’t possible!
“We will be…Ultimate Alpha…”
The sound of clicking tumblers snapped her to reality.