What can you expect from a man whose reputation has been burned to ashes? For years, his name has been synonymous with a savage warrior, a man whose only desire is to feel the warmth of his enemy’s blood in his cold hands. Nothing has ever stood between him and his foes. His view of the established hierarchy, set in stone since the dawn of the Tribe, remains unaltered. He sits at the top. All others, the so-called Elders and their Seconds, fall in line behind him. Then come the rest of the Followers, those without titles, living under the rule of their ‘leaders’.
“Elder, I have news about the ‘Prime Chieftess’ you requested. I’m not sure if you want to hear it, but she should be in the Family we’re visiting today.”
“Correct yourself, Scott. He didn’t request a ‘Prime Chieftess.’ The council that thinks they’re above him did. Judging by the glare he’s giving you, he clearly doesn’t want to hear your news. They’re pointless. We’re visiting the Western Family for the same reason we visit all the others—to appoint a new Elder...” Avon replied.
“Welcome, everyone. I hope you’ve all had a wonderful morning. As I mentioned yesterday, our Prime Elder will be visiting us today. I expect you all to be on your best behavior and show him nothing but respect when he arrives.” Everyone was silent, listening to their Elder. His eyes held a hint of unease—this visit and the Prime Elder’s opinion of his Family would reflect on him.
“I know you’re all nervous, but don’t be. Continue with your day as usual, even when the Prime Elder arrives. Show him that we are a strong, functioning Family,” he said, his gaze sweeping over his people.
Alicia stood next to her father, his hands clenched into tight fists.
“Are you okay, Daddy?”
“I’m fine,” Jonathan replied, though his tension was palpable.
Tina and her family were right behind them, their faces mirroring the worry and nervousness that everyone felt. But they had to hide their feelings—the Elder wanted them to act normal.
“Elder, how should we address him? Do we call him Elder, Prime Elder, or does he have a name we should use?” A Family member asked. The Elder sighed—he didn’t have an answer.
“We respectfully call him Prime Elder, unless told otherwise.” That was all their Elder said before he dismissed them with a wave of his hand.
“Wow, that was intense. Are you scared? Because I am. My mom’s still a bit sick, and I think all this stress is making her worse.” Tina’s voice broke the silence, startling Alicia. She chuckled at her friend’s rambling.
“Yes, it’s nerve-wracking. But what can we do? We have to do as our Elder said—act normal and carry on with our lives as if it’s any other day. Even though we’re incredibly worried.”
Alicia mumbled the last part to herself, but Tina heard her and gave a small, understanding nod.
“Girls, I think it’s best if you both head back to the house for now,” Jonathan suggested. Tina’s parents and Alicia’s mother were approaching them.
“Why can’t we just explore the grounds? Or visit the stream?” Tina questioned. Her brows knitted together in confusion, mirroring Alicia’s expression. Their parents collectively sighed.
“Honey, all the kids are staying inside today. Only the adults are allowed on the grounds,” Roger, Tina’s father, explained. His eyes were stern as he spoke.
“But the Elder said we could carry on as usual. Plus, Tina and I are seventeen, practically adults. We’re not children, we should be allowed to at least walk around,” Alicia chimed in, drawing everyone’s attention.
She was petite. Even her best friend towered over her, reaching just above her shoulders. Her auburn hair was pulled back, revealing her emerald eyes and rosy cheeks.
Her voice was soothing and gentle, almost like a hushed whisper, even when she tried to sound assertive. That’s why it was surprising to hear her stand her ground.
“Honey, listen to your father. You can’t roam the grounds today. Any other day, yes, but not today,” Kara, her mother, tried to reason. Alicia gently shrugged off her mother’s arm.
“I’m not a child! I don’t need to be sheltered and protected forever. I get that you’re scared, I get that our Prime Elder is apparently a bad man, but that doesn’t mean he’ll kill Tina and me just for walking around our grounds.”
Before anyone could respond to Alicia’s outburst, she grabbed Tina’s hand. She pulled her out of the Tribal House and they ran towards the stream.
“Where are we going?” Tina panted, struggling to keep up with Alicia’s brisk pace.
“To the stream.” Alicia’s voice was slightly deeper, reflecting her Inner Voice’s irritation.
“Alicia, you need to calm down. I get that you’re upset with your parents, but you need to relax. If you don’t, you might break free, and I doubt you’re prepared for that.”
Alicia knew that breaking free was always possible when too emotional, but she didn’t hear her best friend’s words. She was too focused on reaching the endless stream near the border, hidden behind a cluster of thick trees.
“Alicia!” Tina’s voice echoed, her hand gripping her best friend’s in an attempt to halt her. Fear was etched on Tina’s face. She was terrified of Alicia breaking free, with no adult supervision. She was terrified of the consequences their parents surely had prepared for them.
Why was Alicia so agitated? The type of agitation was familiar to Tina, but it was the way she’d seen her peers behave when in the presence of their One, before Pairing. Yet, Alicia had no One, that she knew of.
“I must break free... I don’t know what’s happening, Tina. My Inner Voice is winning whatever argument is going on in my head,” Alicia’s voice trembled, her words punctuated by her visibly different body language. She appeared totally restless and wild-eyed.
“Calm down, Alicia. Breathe. You need to calm down. All impulsive breaking free is anxiety-inducing. You need to reason with your Inner Voice. Reassure her that her emotions are unfounded,” Tina advised, her gaze fixed on Alicia’s pale green eyes. She felt helpless. The Tribal House was a mile away, and the loud gurgling of the stream drowned out any cries for help.
“Alicia, please,” Tina pleaded, her voice laced with worry. The sight of her best friend pulling at her auburn hair, her eyes glossy with unshed tears, was heart-wrenching.
“Please, just go,” Alicia’s voice was barely a whisper, her eyes mirroring the color of her irises. Tina’s eyes widened in shock, her lips forming a silent ‘o’.
“Go!” Alicia’s voice echoed again, now letting out an involuntary scream of frustration. She began to break free; she was losing herself. Tina didn’t have time to respond. She turned on her heel and sprinted away from her best friend, whose Inner Voice began to take control, with no idea how to return.
