Without my siblings, parents and cousins timed seemed to stagnate. It wasn’t that we were treated poorly or any of us were foolish enough to start something. In fact, we were given three meals a day larger than anything any of us had ever experienced.

Even my family could only afford meat twice a week, but in the past day every single meal had some sort of beef or chicken component. Looking at everyone else in the girls’ dining car, it was no wonder the faint glimmer of want lit up everyone’s eyes. If they managed to be chosen as a mate, they could eat like this every day.

Since I had no intention of getting used to this food, I picked at the beef on my kebabs and instead finished off my rice, hummus and salad. Unfortunately, one of the werewolf guards came up to me. Another woman, but different than the one who checked me in.

This one was fairer with hair that was more orange and straighter than the typical dark red curls native to this district. Faintly, I wondered if she was a mixed-blood or moved here because her mate was from our district.

As my mind formulated my own opinions about the she-wolf, it became clear that she was not planning on leaving. Mentally sighing, I sat up straighter, avoiding eye-contact as I asked, “Is there something this lowly one may help you with?”

“Is the food not to your liking?” Her Common Language was accented. So she was indeed a foreigner. In that moment, I was never so glad as to have been born a Hakawati.

I put down my fork and bared my neck. “This lowly one is but a mere mortal. My palette is a bit too unrefined to digest everything.”

From the corner of my eye I could have sworn her eyes widened. It was gone so fast that I would have thought I made a mistake if she didn’t comment, “You speak well for a human. Who taught you?”

“I am storyteller. If my family could not accurately communicate with our generous masters, we would not be able to eat.”

She laughed like a madwoman and when it ceased, she sat down, saying, “I give you permission to raise your head.”

As soon as I obeyed her orders, she pointed to my food. “Now eat before I force it down your throat.”

Naturally, not only did that mean I’d have to consume food I did not want, but I’d have to do it as all the other girls from my ward snuck secret glances at me and the bored werewolf. When I made it back, Leyla and everyone else were going to make fun of me until the day I died for this.

Very slowly I cut into the kebob with my fork and knife, reluctantly putting it into my mouth. It was good. The meat was juicy and the assortment of spices had a pleasantly hot bite to it. Still, I kept my face impassive as I chewed, swallowed and repeated these basic actions.

After my third or fourth bite, the she-wolf asked, “What’s your room assignment?”

“Room 3, bunkbed 4,” I answered truthfully.

She took out her phone—something only werewolves and their mates could own—and tapped away at it. “According to your records, you’ve been behind on your socialization quota since you’ve boarded. Have you been taking your hormone pills?”

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“Every morning after breakfast, same as I’ve done since I had my first cycle.” I took another bite of the kabob. If nothing else, eating would save me from the humiliation of this conversation.

“Then why do you spend most of your allotted free time in your room?” She propped her chin under her arm. “Why, even now, are you choosing to eat alone?”

Instead of answering her, I asked, “May I have permission to ask you a question?”

“Although the humans in this district are known for their boldness, you are the first I have met who dared to ask me a question.” Just as I was sure I’d made a mistake and she was going to beat me on the train ride back home, she said. “But I’m bored and there’s nothing to do until we get back to the Capital. If you promise to entertain me, I’ll let you ask your questions.”

In my excitement I accidently let out a small smile which broke protocol. Yet, what was I to do? The only thing I was moderately talented in was entertainment. It was like she had gifted me a proverbial bone.

She eyed me with deep suspicion, but before she could change her mind, I asked, “How long have you been in the eleventh district?”

Quiet. The silence was so long I was sure she was going to ignore my question, but then she said, “If I’m speaking honestly, I’m only here until my sister finishes giving birth to her litter and before you ask, the reason were even having this conversation is because I’m filling in for her.” She paused. “Is it really your place to be curious about where I come from?”

“Probably not.” I shook my head with a chuckle. “And yet in my people’s stories there is a tale of a woman who once went beyond her place, collecting stories from books and people, even if her only true duty was at home.”

“And what’s the point of doing something like that?”

“At the time there was likely no true reason. She was merely fond of learning, but in the future it would serve her well.” When the werewolf nodded at me to continue, I leaned in like I was about to reveal some grand secret and said, “For you see in the future, the king of her land would fall into madness, killing a would-be bride each and every night. It would only be her stories which would bring him back into the realm of the sane.”

“Not bad.”

I tilted my head to the side, “Pardon?”

“I am wolf enough to admit when something has gone around my expectations and your story has peaked my curiosity, even if it shouldn’t. So tell me little storyteller, what does any of this have to do with you going against your socialization quota?” Just as I opened my mouth to respond, she added, “Or why you think you are worthy to know about my life?”

There was a veiled threat in her tone which made me choose my next words carefully. “All the humans on this train belong to my ward. There is no story for me to collect so I recount and practice my stories in my room. Likewise, you are unknown to me. If I may be granted the mercy of hearing your tale, it would make this trip all the worthwhile.”

“Oh?” Amusement laced her tone. “And what would you like to know?”

“Closed off as we are, I would like to know of the district you come from. How it differs from life here and of the people and masters who dwell there.”

“That’s it?” She put down her hand, shifting her posture slightly. “Don’t you have any wish to be chosen as a mate?”

“No,” I shook my head. “I could never dare to dream to be worthy enough to stand beside my masters. All I wish for is to have a story or two to return home with.”

“And then what’ll happen then?”

I was quiet for a bit, contemplating her question, but finally I answered, “I suppose I’ll return to my family, telling them of the foreign she-wolf I met, writing down all that have passed between us. I may even compose a song to accompany this meeting and in a few years I’ll apply to be assigned a mate and be allowed to have children of my own.”

She asked, “I have heard that your kind are greedy. Do you not wish for more?”

I shook my head once more. “Perhaps to you this life of mine may be simple, but for me it is my dream and aspiration.”

She laughed once more. “What’s your name?”

“Ranna,” I responded. “Ranna Hakawati.”

She stood up looking down at me. “Ranna Hakawati of District Eleven, I am Elva Ulfur of District Three. This conversation hasn’t been the worst but mealtime is almost over. I will remember your name.”