Chapter 321: The Weight of Words
Holly swallowed.
The room felt too quiet, too tight around her chest, as if the walls themselves were listening. For the first time since Orion had begun speaking, she didn't have a sharp retort ready. Her confidence—what little remained—had finally cracked.
"I… I'll learn," she said.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Orion lifted his head slowly. "Speak up."
Holly stiffened, jaw tightening. She hated this. Hated how small she felt standing there, hated how everyone's eyes seemed to be on her even when they weren't. But she forced the words out anyway.
"I said I'll learn," she repeated, louder this time, though resentment crept into her tone. "I'll learn what it means to be a trainee. And a member of the pack."
Orion studied her for a long moment.
Then, to her surprise, he smiled.
It wasn't mocking. It wasn't cruel. It was calm—satisfied, even.
"Good," he said. "Then we'll start with your first lesson."
Holly frowned slightly. "What—"
