Chapter 26

　　Alice

　　I stare at the floor with tears gathering in the corner of my eyes. My heart is an open wound, bleeding as I walk past groups of people at Dior's birthday party. I meet eyes with no one, too caught in my inner pain to see further than my nose.

　　A zombie snake, one of those shadow creatures, came in through the window minutes ago. I should have helped the Winterbite pack take it down, but I didn't because my mind was elsewhere.

　　Even now, I can't focus.

　　William rejected me, and the loss I'm experiencing right now is truly unbearable. I have to make it outside. My steps are shaky, forcing me to lean against the wall with my palm pressing against it as I try to breathe. I'm so dizzy, but some fresh air would help.

　　I keep walking with a headache ringing in my ears. The world is suddenly spinning so fast, and while I can see faces and recognize people at this party, their voices are quiet, as if they are too far away.

　　With sheer force, I press on.