55. Sophia

"Hey, what's wrong? You suddenly went pale" Hector asks, his voice concerned.

I wrap my arms around me, shaking my head "It's nothing. I thought I heard someone. Where's Leander?"

"He's out but they've sent for the enforcer in charge"

I think of calling Rita but she's at the far end of the pack and I don't want to be an inconvenience. After I've settled in, I'll go and say hi to her. We wait for ten minutes before Rhett shows up. He looks taken aback when he sees us.

"I just got chills. Can't believe you guys are back again" he says shaking Hector's hand and then mine. He hasn't changed that much but I can tell something's different in Arctic Warriors. Where are Van and Zeke? They used to be glued at the entrance and rarely left. Even if they did, someone familiar would have replaced them. Not these two strangers I've never seen.

"Are we still welcome?"

"Is that a rhetorical question? Of course, you are. But I have to say, I'm disappointed it took you so long to come back. We thou