Silence.

Nothing was heard apart from the stinging silence and the faint mumblings around her.

"Why...mark her?"

A faint snippet of the question broke out, followed by angry growls and then a whimper in submission.

"Don't you dare question me?" The voice roared, making her heart leap even when she was unconscious.

"...Alpha."

The voice whimpered like a dog that had been scolded.

She could only hear their words faintly, but that very word, "alpha," stuck to her brain before she fell once more into darkness.

The next time she opened her eyes, it was due to the stinging rays of the sun.

Her eyes fluttered open, drowsiness still heavy...