Not Bad

"No, I know you're not bad," Greta reassured August. "Please don't let yourself think that. And you heard what Charlotte said earlier. Even if you are alyko, you aren't bad. Okay?"

Tears started to fill August's eyes again, and this time she didn't fight them. "I don't want to hurt him, Greta," she said, and her eyebrows pinched together as she looked down at their clasped hands. "I don't want to hurt him, and I don't want to hurt the pack. There is so much expected now, but I'm terrified that the elders are right about me. What if they're right about me?" Her eyes became wide with terror as she looked back up at the peach-haired girl in front of her.

"The elders are ignorant old men who will not admit their mistakes for fear of losing power. They know nothing about you," Greta answered.

"But what happened to me under that tree, Greta?"