CLAIRE AND ZALI

Claire didn't know how long she had stayed in the room, glowing in anger. But she knew it was long enough, for her twin to get a bit worried. He would be coming for her soon.

Wrapping her hand around her torso, she leaned on the wall of the room, deep in thoughts.

She could hear her wolf whining and protesting against her desperation. Zali wasn't happy with her. But then, it has always been unhappy with her since she started taking lessons from her mother. She could still remember the first time her mother had slapped her, before reminding her of her purpose in life.

She had brought her male friend home then. She had been in grade 1.

"Who is he?" Her mother had asked, when the boy had left, after he had helped her finish her homework.

"He is my best friend in class. He is the son of..." She had been saying, when her mother had cut off the rest of her statement with a slap.