Matilda smiled, although the expression never quite reached her eyes, and the corners of her mouth trembled as she struggled to keep her emotions under control.
"When I was married off to Mary's father, I began to dread the thought of getting pregnant. Female children born into our clan and given to the leaders were forced to become warriors, and none of them ever survived the brutal training. Not one."
Her voice cracked on the last words, the weight of all the girls who had lost their lives pressing heavily on her heart.
"Because of that, I started planning my escape. At first, I managed to reach the wolf lands, and that's where I met a werewolf shaman who told me I was carrying the future Luna of a werewolf pack."
She stopped speaking for a moment, her gaze settling on the half-finished plates as though the sight had taken her back to a memory she had carried for years. Then, without warning, she pushed her chair back.
"I'll get dessert."
