Cora, for a long time, considered miracles to be something that only happened to other people. Especially since her life was full of dedication and sacrifice. Not that she wasn't grateful; it was just a part of her life.

But for the first time ever, she wondered if this was what a miracle felt like.

To learn that she was staying crumbled all of the emotional walls that she built, her excitement cascading. Everything seemed different now. The land she stood on might be a place that she would live for decades; much longer than the life she had lived so far. She of course felt bad for Naila, but it was hard to not feel relieved.

As bittersweet as it was to realize that Cora was replacing her familial circle with whomever would become her mate, it felt like her parent's sacrifice was paying off.

I wish I could thank them. I wish they could live here with me, to live in the world they sacrificed for. They rarely got to leave the farm, and now I get to live in a giant mountain of stone, forests waiting for me to explore.

The haze of reprieve clouded her mind so greatly that she barely remembered what happened after Ludovic gave his speech. Even the journey up the stairs and back to her room was lost in a mental fog. She packed her clothes in a daze of relief, and it wasn't until she had stood there for many minutes, in silence, that everything fully sank in.

To that, she let out a shaky sigh as her eyes welled with tears, although they didn't fall.

She was staying, and she didn't quite know how to process it. Permanence, and looking forward to life, was foreign to her. And she already loved the sensation.

The door to her room opened, and Mina walked in. "Hey, Cora. How's the packing going?"

"Without a hitch," Cora said, looking at the canvas bag that she used to prepare herself for their journey to Ingram. "I just packed a few dresses, since you told me Ingram would have everything else. I also have the journal you gave me. Oh, a quill and ink," Cora said, going to the desk in her room, sliding open the wooden drawer with a grin.

She had decided to start writing her life's journey down, beginning with her parents. She wanted to ask Hilda everything she could about the world that her family grew up in, as there was little chance she'd ever actually visit. And while Hilda would be parting on her own journey soon, Cora thought it couldn't hurt to ask a few questions before leaving. She could fill the rest of the journal with her adventure to Ingram.

Her parents did so much, and it felt important to document how their sacrifice paid off.

If all went well, Cora would never be near Grimshaw or Steigen Pack for the rest of her life. She'd go to Ingram, claim her life as a lycan, and return here, back to her new home.

"There's another thing you'll be bringing, but Rasha will be the one to deliver it."

"What's that?" Cora asked, tying up her bag, which rested on the bed that had been neatly made.

Cora paused, as she did not remember making it for herself. It was the first morning she hadn't made her bed too. She had been too stressed out, and now she stared at a bed she didn't make, the first time someone else had made it for her since her mother died.

It was a subtle example of how deeply thing would change for her. A small moment that she mentally bookmarked to add into her journal later.

"It's a pendant of sorts," Mina said, bringing Cora out of her head. "It's made of moonstone, with the center carved out. They place a cork at the top to keep the contents inside. Which would be the blood of the wearer."

Cora furrowing her brows. "What do you mean, blood of the wearer?"

"It's alright, nothing serious. Rasha will also be putting the fur of one of the Seers inside. It's a translation pendant."

"What," Cora said, standing straighter while a bird loudly sang just outside her window. She scratched her face. "Seriously?"

"It's exactly how it sounds. If you wear it, you can understand Dånesh."

Cora's tutted with an expression of surprise before she asked, "Wait, this has existed the entire time?"

"It's a rare resource, and well, they didn't know if you were staying. And once you fill the moonstone, you have to wear it, or destroy it. They also have to add a tear from Adria's well—no, it's not a real tear. It's just water from a pool of water that this witch is supposed to have put her magic into...which all just means they don't use it often unless it's very important. Not that you weren't, but Theran of course didn't seem to bother, and the Seers wanted to wait until they knew you were staying."

"That's really advanced magic," Cora said. "And, still, I could have definitely used that by now." Cora gave a half-hearted chuckle.

Mina laughed, shrugging her shoulder like she didn't disagree. "I don't make the rules on that. But yeah, that would have been really helpful so far."

"But seriously, how can a pendant give me the ability to translate?"

"If I am not mistaken, legend says that Adria learned all of the languages and put that knowledge into a few springs of water. She was a witch fascinated by language, I think. I won't go on, as it's a lot. Basically, it's old magic that has been used for a long time to bridge languages together, since Dånesh isn't the only language we speak. Only my aunt has ever been given one in my family, and that was so she could translate with a human dialect none of us knew, and time was of the essence. They're basically just...incredibly rare," Mina said, her brows raised. "And they work. Although yours only works with Dånesh, since the fur of the Seer only speaks Dånesh."

Cora considered all of that, incredulously laughing as she looked around the sparse room. "I never knew so many languages existed before. I also never pictured the lycans having more than one language either. Don't really know why, now that I think about it..."

"We used to have even more than we do now, for a long time. But we are a creature that thrives in numbers. War with humans and hunters pushed us in this direction. Some languages died out, and that's why this witch was said to have collected as many languages as she could, so as to preserve them forever."

Halfway through the discussion, Cora's thoughts had wandered far away once she realized something. "So, that means I can understand Ludovic now?" she quietly asked.

"You will." Mina gave a devious grin, crossing her arms only to lose her smile as the diligent Mina returned. "But you have to keep practicing Dånesh. It doesn't replace the language."

Cora waved her hand and nodded. "Yeah, yeah...but now I'm all nervous. I don't know how to talk to him. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed not having anything to say," she said, pacing in her small room with her hands on her hips.

Mina laughed. "Oh, Cora. You really shouldn't overthink this one."

"No, but like...what do I say to someone like him?" She chewed at her nails. "I didn't realize how much I liked the silence. Maybe I can pretend the pendant doesn't work."

Mina playfully rolled her eyes. "No, don't do that. Best advice is to just be you. Seriously. Be a little fiery. He likes that in females. It's why he was with Sava for so long. She is powerful and respected and Ludovic gravitates towards that."

Cora paused, trying to think of the female she had no face for. "Is Sava still here? In the pack?"

Alien thoughts of jealousy and rivalry slithered in her heart, and she was not fond of the sensation.

"She lives with another pack now, where her father's family is from. She didn't want to be around Ludovic after they parted."

Exhaling, Cora nodded and looked around once more, although not at anything in particular, these details more important than they ever were before. "Who ended it?"

"They both did. They fought a lot. Basically, two Alphas trying to be together. So, you can be too fiery. But that's not you. We'd all know it by now."

Cora looked out her window, running her gaze over the vast valley that was shrouded by mountains. Her heart raced as her 'relationship' with Ludovic felt real now. She would be able to speak to the male, and that made him seem like a three-dimensional being, rather than a stoic, imposing Alpha.

"Sava sounds...impressive," Cora's voice quieted, imaging Ludovic engaged in a relationship with another. In love with another. Fighting with another. "What does she look like?"

"Like a younger version of Rasha, which is her great aunt. She has the blue eyes and white hair of a Frost Moon, as well as the dark skin. She's pretty too. And she has a certain...charisma? I don't know what it's called. But when she speaks, many listen."

Cora gave a sardonic chuckle. "And I am competing against that?"

Mina took a step forward, shaking her finger, her expression reprimanding like a disappointed mother. "Now quit with that thinking. Ludovic wants someone that works with him. Sava didn't. She was just one of the best females of the pack, aside from Asla. And he is the Alpha now. So, I don't want to tell you it will be as easy as stealing meat from a pup, but you're an Omni, so you already have something no one else has."

Laughing at the new metaphor, Cora gentled the storm that brewed in her mind, and then laughed once more, although it stemmed from uncertainty. said, "Mina, I appreciate the talk. But look at me. Do you see me leading an entire pack?"

Mina did not give, and rather challenged Cora. "If you want to be an Omega, you have to become that."

"I mean...do you think I can?" She wasn't sure why this hit her so hard now. Perhaps it was that she could no longer remain silence behind a language barrier.

She'd have to prove herself now.

"I think you have the potential to. For sure. But it is a really difficult title. You are under immense pressure, all the time. I won't lie, as I am your friend. It won't be easy, at all."

"What's the benefit, then? The Alpha? Is that all? That's a lot of pressure. I can barely keep Ben in line."

Mina sighed, putting a hand on her hip, the white fabric of her dress folding where she touched. "I mean, honestly, that's why Ludovic hasn't put you in that position yet. He knows you're still figuring that out. You know what, maybe I should ask, now that you're staying—what do you want? I mean, in regards to your life? To staying here? Maybe that's a good place to start."

Cora didn't have to think twice about it. At the minute she pictured her life among here, she knew the image she wanted to create. "I want a strong, loyal mate. I want to live, and have a family, like my parents wanted. That's what I want."

"Well, Ludovic is that in spades," Mina said, holding her hand out like all Cora had to do was take it. "And plus, you can get to know him now, with the pendant and all."

Cora's heart raced as she hugged herself, considering everything. She imagined Ludovic with another Omni, and was surprised how hot that burned her veins. I really do need to make a move before Ingram...or be much more forward than I am now. "How long does your kind court for?"

"Well, it's more complicated than that. We can officially court for years. But we can mark someone within months."

"Mark?" she asked, glancing at Mina.

"It's a love bite. It just adds someone's pheromones to another. But it's also really rude to do if the other does not approve of it."

Cora chuckled, shaking her head at how serious Mina was as she said that, imagining a lycan biting another and it being as rude as kissing a woman without asking her first. "Yeah, I bet—"

A knock came to the door, and Rasha peaked inside the room. "Can I come in?"

"Yes, please," Cora said, her palms clamming up. Everything was happening so fast in her world.

Rasha took a step inside and shut the door, the shoulders of Walder visible outside of Cora's room before it closed, ever her guard.

"Has Wilhemina spoke to you about the pendant?" Rasha asked, clinking in the familiar sound of a Seer and all of her adornments.

Cora almost forgot that Wilhemina was Mina's full name, mentally stuttering before saying, "Oh, yes. Yes, she did."

"Good. I also met with Asla just now, and you are also to get dressed. Properly," Rasha said, looking Cora over with her pale blue eyes that carried a youth which starkly contrasted the rest of her, especially the weathered tattoos, barely visible from the fading over the years.

"What? Why am I changing?"

"Ludovic is getting his Alpha's tattoos as we speak. It is something his Talons advise, and it's an intelligent decision, all around. He needs them as soon as possible, especially before leaving for Ingram. At the end of such an event, there is usually a sharing of mead. You are to be there, dressed as a formal female. It's important the pack sees you as one of us before departure."

If Cora thought her heart was racing before, it was running out of control now. "And what are the Talons again?" she asked with a crack in her voice, trying to keep her thoughts straight.

"His personal aides."

"Yeah, right, of course. Don't know why I forgot."

Rasha reached into her robe and pulled out a pale crystal the color of the moon, and when it caught the light, blue hues streaked through as if it glowed. Cora gently smiled at realizing this was moonstone. How appropriately named.

Rasha held out the steel chain. "I come here to bring you this. It takes a while to hallow out the stone, so treat this delicately. It will be better if you can understand us without needing Mina, especially as you will now integrate into our world. Time is of the essence with all of the shadows and dark warnings, which means language barriers need to be kept to a minimum."

"I want Mina still," Cora said, worried they'd take her away.

"Oh, she will remain. You need someone loyal on your side, and someone that knows us, and knows humans."

Cora nodded, relieved to hear that. She stared at the pendant as Rasha took out the tiny cork and placed it on the fire mantle.

They poked Cora's finger with a sharp needle, dripping her blood inside to glob onto the small hairs inside, mixing with the water to give the pendant a deep red, the stone now presenting with a dark core versus bright and blue. Rasha corked it quickly and then cleaned the rest as Cora pushed down on the minor wound to stop the bleeding.

All Cora could think about, as she put it over her neck, was what would she possibly have to talk about with someone like Ludovic?

Cora's first encounter with a lycan while wearing the pedant was when Cora looked at Walder and muttered, "Hello."

He raised his brows, but said nothing in return.

Mina leaned in with a chuckle and said, "Good start, Cora."

Cora sighed with a grin, dreading making a fool of herself in front of Ludovic.

As they approached the stairs, Cora wanted to honor Asla's training and descended on her own rather than be carried, despite how sore she was. If anything, she was too nervous and excited to do anything but move.

Seers roamed all throughout, as every lycan was now subject to receiving a full body examination for any marks that might indicate a possession.

So far, they had only found one that Mina knew of, and they were relieved to discover that it did not extend far. Which hadn't surprised Rasha or Hilda, as they suspected that Naila had been cursed on her travels, versus a magic reaching them all the way deep into their territory. They also suspected the shadow within the Seer's Cave had been pulling from Naila's curse rather than breaking through barriers, which comforted them even more.

It hopefully meant that whatever witch stalked them from afar had lost its primary source of control. Hilda remained determined on traveling to find the necessary items to free Naila, which should give them more answers as to who the witch was and why she wanted the Omnis.

Until then, Naila regressed inwards and refused to speak to a single soul.

The mark on Cora's leg remained a mystery, as they were uncertain on the danger it presented. But Hilda tried all the magic she could to incite it, and Cora never felt a thing, so Hilda equated to be being like a birthmark, inane and without purpose.

It was just another reason to enjoy such a pleasant day for Cora, and even Ben had fun learning to spar in his free time—a new requirement from him.

As they walked the halls—Cora wearing a finer cloth dress, gold metal to compliment her caramel skin, her soft, straight black hair braided down the sides while the top was gently slicked back with oils—Cora could understand nearly ever lycan as she passed them by. Her grin would stretch ear to ear when she looked at Mina, amazed that such a pendant could work so well.

It made her feel like she belonged in this world, an unparalleled relief and joy singing in her heart.

She was safe here.

Ludovic was in a communal area of Reiger's Edge where members of the pack could come and go as they pleased. The expansive area was on the second floor, nearly half of it carved out to create great pillars, which held up a detailed ceiling, archways framing the transition between indoors and outdoors as Cora eyed a terrace near a waterfall. It seemed to cascade down the entire backside of the cliff, a few lycans swimming in the large pool of water that turned into a river.

The area was simply a beautiful construction of something not even her imagination could have spawned. How had she gone from a wooden cabin to something so opulent? Of course, this could have all been with Theran in charge, but there was no reason to dwell on what could have been.

This was her life now, and it was overwhelmingly beautiful.

At least three dozen lycans were present, a few lying on beds to receive tattoos, with Ludovic in the center and lying on his stomach, an artist working ink into his back. His thin, long dreads dangled over his shoulder.

"I've never seen someone get a tattoo," Cora said to Mina.

"I have a small one on my shoulder," Mina said, Cora looking to where Mina revealed a raven in black ink. "It's a symbol that my family uses, since ravens are supposed to be wise, and mastery of language brings wisdom. We all get it when we come of age."

Cora smiled at it, immediately wondering what her family's would have been. She withheld a chuckle at thinking it would probably just be a log cabin. "Well, I want one now. Do I get one for being an Omni? I wonder what that would be."

Mina laughed and covered her tattoo back up by shouldering her sleeve, nodding over to a corner with pillows and fabrics lining the floor. "Let's go over here. And you will, in time, I am sure. They usually mean something. And, well, an Omega gets a tattoo as well."

"Really?" Cora asked, watching as the tattoo artist pricked Ludovic's skin and then stained the wound with ink. The Alpha hardly moved, even though it looked painful. The back of his head was to her, so she could stare unabashedly.

Cora didn't stare long before she focused on Mina when she noticed that quite a few began looking in her direction, observing her. The lycans still intimated her. They lived in such abundance and yet were these muscled, tattooed, scarred creatures that looked more wolf than human, many sitting with legs spread, elbows on knees and leaning over as if ready to move if called upon, their gazes sharp and always watching.

Mina narrowed her eyes on Cora. "Hey don't be nervous. You're fidgeting with your fingers," Mina said, looking at Cora's hands.

Cora crossed her arms and exhaled with focus. "You're right, you're right...still not used to so many eyes, and now they can come talk to me if they want...so, tell me about this Omega tattoo. It's a good distraction."

"Yeah, alright," Mina said, scratching her nose with a gentle smile. "Also, sit anywhere over here, if you'd like. I just saw Asla nod to here." They sat down on the fur carpet and Cora corrected her uncouth posture at Mina's suggestion, leaning her back against the wall. "So, back to the tattoo...yeah, so, where Ludovic gets a band around his neck, the Omega gets a stripe from the underside of her chin down to the base of her neck, which comes to a point. Sort of showing they both form to make a cross."

"On my neck?" Cora asked with disappointment and touched it. The idea wasn't thrilling. She liked Mina's shoulder tattoo more. 

Mina smiled. "It looks good. It sends a signal right away. Even if a stranger meets you, they know you're important."

She sighed, repositioning to lean on a pile of pillows, as it was so thick that it worked as furniture. "Well, I don't look in the mirror much anymore now that my eyes are always red, so maybe it won't be that bad."

"If it gets you a life like this," Mina said, gesturing with her hands around them, "Then one tattoo is worth it."

Cora chuckled and looked around, shaking her head in disbelief. "When you're right, you're right . This is amazing, Mina. I mean, these pillows are stuffed with feathers. We're used to wool, or most times just scraps from clothes."

Mina fluffed a yellow pillow, the golden bracelets on her wrist clinking with the movement. "Yeah, I don't even have these at home."

At the mention of her home, Cora frowned, as she didn't recall a time when Mina left Cora to be with her family.

"Wait, so did you just leave your family to come help me?" Cora asked, the idea finally dawning on her.

Shrugging, Mina said, "Yeah, but don't worry about it. I mean seriously—" she laughed and held an arm out around her—"This is the most interesting thing I have ever done. They'll be fine without me for a bit."

Lips parted, Cora smiled and very gently shook her head as she couldn't focus on anything in particular to stare at, allowing herself to seep into such luxury. Perhaps when she trained more, this would feel welcomed and earned, and then she less nervous.

Mina and Cora didn't get much time alone before Asla made her way over. Cora looked the she-wolf over for tattoos, now curious about such adornments, and saw that Asla had markings on either forearm, although Cora didn't understand their meaning.

"I hear you can understand us now," Asla said, her voice smooth and low, yet with a feminine touch.

Cora's eyes widened, like she was hearing secrets she shouldn't hear at understanding Asla so clearly. "Yes, I can."

"It will be easier to give you instructions on fighting, then. Which we will do again tonight," Asla said, reaching into a stone bowl to grab a few grapes.

Cora groaned and looked off at a pair of lycans laughing in the background.

Asla said, "No groaning."

With a laugh, Cora bargained, "Can we do less running?"

"No. You are a horrible runner and need to improve your form. You look like a chicken running for their life right now."

Cora's jaw dropped and Mina covered her mouth after taking a drink, her suppressed laugh reaching her eyes, nearly choking.

Cora's voice wavered with a laugh as she defended herself. "Hey, I never had to run much before. I can't help it—and I don't look like a chicken!"

Asla raised her brows, popping another grape into her mouth. "Uh huh. By the time I am done with you, you will run like one of —"

Asla turned around to look at someone that approached them—a male a few inches taller than Cora, with almond skin, black, buzzed hair, and hazel eyes. She paused for a moment, as he had a magnetic charm, and even Mina swallowed thickly as he neared. Cora took in a deep breath, smelling the incense from nearby, along with the soft smell of fabric and fur beneath her.

It made her wish she could smell scents. Asla seemed alerted to his presence before she saw him.

The male was quite handsome, a deep scar in his eyebrow only adding to his character. He glanced at Asla, and when she didn't move, he looked at Cora. With a warm voice that made her think of a sunset, he said, "I hear you're staying."

Cora instantly glanced at Mina, who seemed indecisive about what Cora should do, her mouth open and without suggestions.

Cora went with her tried and true—"Yes. I am."

He didn't quite smirk, but something curious flashed across his eyes that made him seem amused. "You are surprisingly unmarked."

Out of everything that Cora could have felt, it astonished her that her inner ego beat its drums louder than any other emotion. So, she ran with it. "I have been afforded the luxury of making my own decisions," she quipped.

Asla and Mina watched on, the area around moving about as normal with servants refilling food and drink. Where Cora was nervous, she was also confident. She was staying, and this world would become her home; she'd be important among these creatures, no matter what. And she was tired of living in shadows and afraid.

Also, after being told she ran like a chicken, she felt it important to carry herself as anything other than a frightened hare. She'd have to take it if she had to.

His lips curled into an approving smile. "My name is Draesh, by the way...and, if I can ask, why has the Alpha not marked you? Is it because you're still a human?"

Cora looked at Mina, and then at Asla, as she didn't have the answer to that, although she tried to maintain her composure rather than show how out of her league she was.

Asla stepped in, her eyes narrowed with amusement and astonishment. "If she could be marked, I'd think that Ludovic would have marked her by now. So yes, obviously it's because she's a human. Which means you are flirting with dangerous territories."

Draesh looked Cora over, ignoring Asla as she spoke, addressing Cora. "Do you realize that you have the choice to choose who you wish to mate with? Any of us could be your mate. Theran does not rule here anymore."

Asla clearly did not like being ignored so openly and took a step forward, her voice lowering with a warning. "You're overstepping, Draesh. My brother is right over there."

"She is unclaimed," Draesh retorted, shrugging his shoulders, finally looking at Asla. "That says all I need to know. She doesn't even have his scent on her."

Cora clenched her fists, wondering what that insinuated, and wondering why, indeed, she didn't have his scent, if something as simple as that would mark her as his. At least, Ludovic made it seem like he wanted to claim her. Had she understood that wrong?

Asla said, "You going to fight Ludovic for her?"

Draesh seemed to consider that, looking between them all, Walder's gaze hot on them.

The new male said, "I did not hear Ludovic speak of claiming her, or declaring her his, and she has none of his scent, as I said. I am a free lycan and can do what I please, Asla. Unless the Alpha makes a more concerted effort to mark her, I will happily see to her courting needs."

Cora never had a man declare her as his before, let alone having to deal with the prospect of more than one. In a devious way, it was intoxicating, and she looked away with raised brows and a grin, enjoying the suggestion that she had needs to be met and that a male wanted to satisfy them.

Asla snorted. "You know what, not my fight. Go ahead. See how my brother reacts to this. I could use this entertainment."

"I am a Magna," Draesh challenged. "There are only two Alphas without mates, and five Omnis. Three of them will go to Magnas." He held his arms out like it was more than obvious, to which Asla clenched her jaw.

Cora, feeling more emboldened than she ever had before, finally stepped in and said, "You don't even know me. Why not focus on meeting the others?"

Draesh seemed pleased that she addressed him. "It's usually scent based. Which yours permeates. I have also heard stories of your loyalty to your kin, and of how you challenged Theran. And your beauty goes without question. I have a right to be intrigued by a female such as yourself, moonlight."

Cora's jaw slightly dropped, especially as she registered that 'moonlight' might be a term of endearment. She was absolutely charmed and amused, and both Asla and Mina looked at if they did not want to interfere, although Mina mirrored Cora's own expression.

If anything, it was nice to have such simple drama. So nice, that it made her more confident. Who wouldn't enjoy something like this, after everything she had been through?

Cora said, "Well, thank you, Draesh, for the interest. As someone born human, I like to get to know what a person offers. Or a lycan, in this matter--"

Draesh stepped aside and broke eye contact with Cora in the middle of her reply, staring down at the ground. A figure walked near them, eyeing Draesh with an intensity that Theran could never harness, although had tried.

It was Ludovic, and his presence brought a silencing effect, save for Asla's snort at watching Draesh submit so quickly. Ludovic was shirtless, revealing all the power of his stomach, chest, and shoulders. Cora couldn't help but look. The tattoos on Ludovic were thin and decorative, the black bar around his neck deep in color, the skin around red and freshly aggregated.

The title of Alpha was now etched into his skin.

Draesh was magnetic, but Ludovic's aura was of governance, like he was the blade that a swordsmith always drew when he needed to win.

Ludovic's gray eyes surveyed them all, grazing over Cora the longest before he faced Draesh. "Am I interrupting? Please, continue," he said, his tone suggesting that Draesh do the exact opposite.

Or, at least, if Draesh wanted to continue, he would have to contend with the Alpha to do so.

Draesh bowed his head lower. "No, I was just...well, I am done," he said and took a few steps back, although seemed pleased with himself, especially as he nodded at Cora with a sly grin before heading off to the oasis underneath the waterfall.

Cora's heart was racing so fast that for once, she actually did feel like running.

Asla chortled. "That was not as exciting as I had hoped, but I still enjoyed it."

Ludovic ignored her and faced Cora, standing like a monument carved from the very stone of these halls. His voice was low, warm, and rough. "You can understand me now?"

"Yes," she said, sitting up straighter.

He looked her over once more, then with a languid blink, nodded to his right. "Then come with me."

Word Count: 5,690

A/N: you guys...I'm blown away by the reception of this story. It has the most engagement out of a of mine, and I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me that you interact with the story via voting or commenting. I know I can be slow to update, and I am forever sorry for that. That's primarily because all the stories I have on Wattpad are not yet written, which means I can easily hit a speed bump in my progress, or get caught up in working on the story further ahead (just to ensure what I write next will align with future plans). I also see all your comments, and sometimes I can take forever to respond--I will see the comment while in the middle of doing something, unable to respond in that moment, and then it will escape my mental to-do list to respond later. But the comments you do leave make me double down on finishing this story!! So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being my main motivation while trying to create stories, worlds, and characters. It's such a joy to share it with you ❤️