your sector know when you're feeling hungry. For now, eat. I'm not warming that up again."
He let go of me and turned around. "You'll need to take some meds for your ribs. We got a healer to take care of most of it, but you'll feel stabbing pain from time to time. You should be back to your kickass self in two weeks. Don't do anything stupid until then."
Walking to the door, he stopped and whispered, "The doc will figure out what you are, but I'd rather he didn't."
"Why?" I questioned.
"If he does and you’re as rare as some suspect, I'm not sure any of us can win the bid if you remain behind bars, Cassandra. Our money combined wouldn't stop those that only want power behind their walls, so, please. Don't do anything else...or I really can't protect you."
He was out the door, closing it behind him and leaving me with the uncertainty of who I was and where my future would take me.
"Conceal don't feel," I mumbled the Let It Go classic under my breath as I walked into the quiet cafeteria, everyone looking my way.
I was once again tempted to try and last the night without eating, but the mashed potato and veggies dish with bits of bacon Omarion had brought me didn't do much to quell my appetite.
My stomach was still singing hymns of hunger, and this time I was going to at least get a tray — or two — to satisfy the hole left by one week of no food.
That resulted in me taking what felt like the walk of shame, but I wore a blank expression, hoping the guarded look gave off don't-bother-me vibes.
I reached the two food lines at last, and to my amazement, my wait was shortened completely when the two lines parted outward.
Is this an opening of the for the prisoner of the moment? Am I now somehow worthy?
Deciding to not let this opportunity pass, I walked straight down the middle line, getting all the way to the front and getting served two trays after I'd asked.
Not a single person questioned me when I walked away, scanning the tables for a single one. When that wasn't an option, I looked for whatever stood out.
My eyes landed on a girl wearing an orange jumpsuit. Her attire told me she was a Level Two prisoner, but what stood out was how vibrant her hair was.
Turquoise, neon blue, and purple highlights took up her entire shoulder-length locks, but she wore a grey beanie to cover a chunk of it.
I doubted she was trying to hide the striking color combination, because I noticed the cute pin on the hat. It looked like a cat or even a wolf symbol from this distance. She was Caucasian, her skin slightly tanned though we didn't get a bit of sunlight down here.
With her beanie and hair, she reminded me of a videogame that was a hit in 2017 and grew in popularity over the years. I couldn't remember the name, but it was something about being strange.
All told, she stood out, and I felt as though I wouldn't be challenged or end up dead by sitting at one end of the long table.
With cautious steps, I reached my spot, lowering my trays quietly and sitting. Saying a quiet prayer of grace, I began to eat in peace, grateful that no one was bothering me.
I'd wondered if the woman on the far right cared about my presence, but seeing as I was able to finish one tray of my food with no issue, it seemed the remainder of my dinner would go just as smoothly.
"You look like a typical human."
I paused midway through eating my soup, looking over at the very girl with brilliant hair. Her eyes looked grey, but I felt there was a hidden bit of gold. They were eyeing me questioningly before she took another piece of her jerky.
When I didn't speak or return to eating my soup, she smiled.
Actually smiled.
"You're cool to me. Vix likes you."
"Vix?" I inquired.
"Oh, right. My wolf. She usually hates everyone. You seem worthy of her approval. You look totally human to me, but I've only been butt hurt whenever I've second guessed Vix."
"That's like me ignoring my gut instincts. All it leads to is pain and misery." I pouted my lips in annoyance at my stubbornness.
"Real talk." She sighed. "I wouldn't be trapped in this shit of a hellhole if I'd listened and paid attention to all the signs."
"I