Valerie

The weeks of celebration were coming to an end, the mating ceremony was closer than ever.

I stayed by Alistair's side throughout. There were no more excuses, no more reasons to leave. And so, I attended the luncheons and dinner parties, staying beside Alistair while making conversation with other guests and avoiding Alistair's flirtations.

Things should have been back to normal. I could ignore everything else and wait, ready to go home.

But I couldn't.

Every time, even when I ...