Keeping It From Her

The soldier led Yuri to another auditorium. It was eleven o'clock at night. Most of the people inside the auditorium were older alphas, who should, theoretically, be asleep at this hour, but they were not.

Even before Yuri got close, she could hear the muffled, rhythmic thumping sounds coming from inside. It was ceaseless, waxing and waning.

This was a sound Yuri was all too familiar with. It was the sound of alphas in unbearable pain, unable to sleep, pounding their heads against the walls and furniture.

She had heard this sound many times, and each time, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

"I'll stay by the door. I won't go in," Yuri said.

The soldier didn't ask why. He ordered a large chair, reserved specifically for Yuri, to be brought over and placed by the door.