Gaëlle shrank back from Skade at the mention of demise. Was this a pack where members routinely died? She shuddered to think of that. If so, were they murdered? Struck by illness? She hoped these weren’t the case. “I-I would love to train as . . . maybe an iota or kappa?” she ventured timidly. “I’m good at observing stuff.” Gaëlle’s mind whirred. Is it a mistake to come here? she thought anxiously. This princess doesn’t seem too nice. She took a deep breath. Be strong. That was what her uncle had always said. Of course, in that she was a failure in every regard. Gaëlle wasn’t good at fighting, nor speaking. She scared easily and had a history of fear of loud noises. She twitched her cat tail and tried to look unfearful.

“For you I’d bleed myself dry.”