37: YOU NEED ME

Alpha Jo stood before me, his eyes wide with shock, as disbelief grew into his every feature.

For a moment, it was just the two of us, facing each other across the expanse of our shared history.

"I can't believe it's you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ava... my wife. How is this possible?"

I felt a pang of pity for him. His confusion and mixed emotions were palpable. I thought he was saying he knew who I was. It looked like he only wanted confirmation.

He had not expected to see me again, certainly not in this guise as Alpha Ayar or rather an emissary from the King of Border Town.

"How did you survive? And how did you become an emissary?" His questions were laced with a mixture of awe and sadness.

Taking a deep breath, I began to recount my story, feeling the weight of the past press upon me. "After the council's judgment, you banished me from the pack. I was alone, with nothing but my wits and my gift to keep me alive. The world outside was harsh, and every day was a