20

Penelope and her mother, Yvonne, were escorted to an inner room inside the Packhouse by two guards. The room was unfamiliar to Penelope, but as she took a closer look, she figured out it was an emergency room. It was a large, sterile room with white walls and a tiled floor. There were several hospital beds along the walls and a large cabinet filled with medical supplies in the corner. The room was quiet, with only the sound of the occasional footsteps echoing in the background.

Penelope and Yvonne sat down on one of the hospital beds, facing each other. Penelope couldn't help but feel nervous. She had never seen her mother this quiet before. Yvonne was usually very talkative, but now she was sitting in silence, staring blankly ahead. Penelope wondered what was going through her mind.

****

Alpha Uther stood outside the Packhouse, surveying the aftermath of the battle. The once green and lush grounds were now littered with the bodies of his fallen warriors. He felt a deep sense of disgus