“Where is she?” I demanded as soon as I entered the room. 

Maya and Nivedita, who had been sitting by the window, immediately rose to their feet, their postures straightening in a show of respect.

Maya looked a bit flustered, her eyes darting towards the closed bathroom door, answered, “She’s in the bathroom, Alpha Zion.” Her head slightly bowed as the other girl stood quiet, timidly.

I nodded, acknowledging their presence with a brief glance, my gaze shifting to ...