65: Edelweiss Hill

Alexa Freedom. Was this what it felt like? I took a deep breath. My body stood on the front patio, gazing at the neatly arranged garden in front of the packhouse. The sunlight shaded the flowers with a purple glow.  No, not yet a hundred percent. Only one of the two shackles that bound me like a disgraced slave had been broken. The debt to Alpha Alastair was paid off, and it seemed I even formed an informal alliance to bring down Alpha Gabriel.  I could only hope in my heart. Although I no longer owed Alastair, he would help me take down Gabriel with the grudge I planted in his chest. It was dangerous. I knew if I took a wrong step, Alastair would consider it all as a debt again.  Fortunately, once again, I had signed no pact. Not even a verbal promise. Just a glance and a quiet murmur to blame all of Alastair’s misfortune on Gabriel.  “Lady Dawson,” someone called my name from behind.  I turned with a furrowed brow, confused. In my whole life, I never heard a nickname like that. Altho