First Day of the Congress

Olivia Martins

I was awake before dawn.

Not because I had to be. Alpha Darius had already approved my request to go off duty for the duration of the Congress. But sleep had evaded me, and the silence of early morning pressed too tightly around my ribs. So I got up.

The cabin was quiet, Victoria still asleep in the next room. I moved around on autopilot—brewed tea, washed my face, pulled my hair into a tight braid. My uniform ...