STARLIGHT PROMISE:"Bound to the Lycan"

Chapter 35

AMORA'S POV;
                             I have never felt this accepted before. It was as if I had stepped into a world bathed in sunlight after spending my entire life in the shadows. The warmth of this new environment wrapped around me like a soft blanket, easing the tension that had become a constant in my life. Zora, Zale's sister, was the embodiment of that warmth, bursting with energy and kindness that radiated from her like sunshine. She was everything Zale wasn't—friendly, open, and genuinely interested in engaging with me. As she talked and laughed, I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me; I wasn't used to this kind of attention, this kind of interaction.

I sat across from her at the dining table, still a little stunned by the sheer grandeur of the place. The ornate chandelier hung above us, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden table set with elegant china. Zora's laughter rang through the air, a clear, musical sound that drew my attention like a moth to a flame. She spoke with such ease, sharing stories that painted vivid pictures in my mind. I watched her animated expressions, her hands gesturing wildly as she recounted tales of her childhood adventures with Zale. I found myself drawn into her world, even though I struggled to find my voice among the sounds of her joy.

As the conversation flowed, I nodded and smiled, trying to keep up, but inside, I felt like an intruder in this lively exchange. My past had conditioned me to remain silent, to fade into the background, so I often found myself retreating into my thoughts rather than engaging. I was not accustomed to speaking for long stretches, especially with people who exuded such confidence and charm. Yet, for the first time, I felt a flicker of happiness; a lightness that came from the understanding that I wasn't alone.

Zora was persistent in her kindness, and I could see her determination to draw me out of my shell. She would look at me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, waiting for my responses. Each time she asked me a question, I felt the weight of my silence pressing down on me, but her infectious spirit encouraged me to try. Slowly, I began to share little snippets of my life, things that had once felt too painful or embarrassing to voice. To my surprise, she listened intently, her smile unwavering, her encouragement genuine.

But amidst this warmth, I couldn't help but notice Zale's mother seated at the other end of the table. Her presence loomed over the room, silent and watchful. She didn't engage much; instead, she observed us with a distant gaze, her hands gracefully picking at her food. I wondered if she was the type to dislike newcomers. Maybe she thought I was an outsider, someone unworthy of her son's attention. A shiver of uncertainty ran down my spine as I thought about the implications of that judgment. Why would I care if she didn't like me? After all, it's not like I was marrying her son or anything. Yet, the thought nagged at me, unsettling my newfound comfort.

"Amora, get a hold of yourself," I chided internally. "You're overthinking this."

Dinner came to an end, and the conversations began to wind down. As we finished our meal, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I needed to impress Zale's mother somehow. Did she think I was good enough for her son? Did she see the girl who had spent most of her life invisible, lost in her own struggles? As I returned to my room, I felt a gentle weariness settle in. Zora had said she would come by later, but I couldn't shake the doubt that crept in. Would she really follow through?

Just then, a knock on the door startled me. My heart raced—could it be Zale? He never knocked; he always entered without warning. But as I opened the door, a wave of excitement washed over me when I saw Zora standing there, her face beaming with enthusiasm.

"Amora! Sorry for keeping you waiting," she exclaimed, rushing to my side as if I were the most important person in the world.

I couldn't help but smile at her exuberance. "Oh, it's fine. I was just—"