Those were the days of innocence, when the world was just the two of us against everything. We spent hours playing hide and seek, climbing trees, and pretending to be the greatest warriors of the pack.
One day, when we were twelve, Victoria came to me with excitement in her eyes. "Sunshine, let's go hunting in the forest!"
I yawned, still sleepy from our late-night adventure the day before. "I think I'll stay home and sleep, Victoria. I'm too tired."
She patted my head affectionately. "Alright, little lazybones, I'll go by myself then."
I watched her leave, never imagining that it would be the last time she looked at me with such warmth. She went missing that day, and the entire pack was thrown into a frenzy. For two days, we searched, our hearts heavy with fear and worry.
When Victoria finally returned by herself, everyone was surprised and overjoyed. I ran to her, tears streaming down my face. "Victoria! You're back! I was so scared!"
But something had changed. She looked at me with a cold, distant expression. "I'm fine, Vienna," she said, her voice void of emotion. Even her smile seemed forced, a shadow of its former brightness.