Azaria stood in the doorway of Priya's office, the silence of the room hanging heavily between them. The shock of Priya's sudden confession still lingered in the air, thick and surreal. Under any normal circumstances, as Azaria knows of the werewolf world, discovering one's mate was supposed to be a moment of pure joy, a celebration of destiny, but as Azaria looked at her friend, Priya did not look happy at all. Her face was pale, her shoulders were hunched inward as if trying to shield herself, and her eyes were filled with deep distress.
"Priya," Azaria said gently, taking a slow step further into the room. "Please, sit down. Talk to me."
