25. Purple Irises

Alec never leaves my mind. His words keep coming back, his horrified face haunting me.

While Beatrice helps me get into my mourning clothes, I don’t stop crying. Tears fall silently from my eyes until they're half shut from the swelling. I don’t hold them back, fearing the pain will suffocate me.

This is the worst day of my life. I thought nothing would hurt more than losing my mother. But back then, I still had my father with me, friends in my pack.

Now, I don’t have anyone.

Even Lila has gone silent. She has lost her hope too.

Beatrice doesn’t ask me anything. I wonder if she took care of me during the time I was unconscious. I doubt Magnus would've let her in. But then I found Alec in the same room as me.

Beatrice trusted me with her tears, so I trust her with mine. She continues to rub my back in a soothing way occasionally. She's young but mature for her age.

When I see myself in the mirror, I realize I’m wearing a gown with a pattern similar to the tunic Magnus wore. The g