(CORRINE)
As the day of the ball arrives, so do the attendees. The Eastern Wolf Kingdom and its nobles are the first to appear. I watch from our window as Erik greets them. I recognize nearly all of them from my youth, and for a moment, my heart trembles at the memory of what I suffered at their hands. But as soon as that fear rears its head, I feel a warmth sweep through me, a warmth sent by Locke through our mating bond.
He comes to stand behind me. "If you want, I can crush all their pompous heads for you, feathers and all," he comments nonchalantly, and I study the fancy peacock plumage sticking out of the nobles' hats.
