Chapter 216

ELORA'S POV “Happy birthday, Elora!” The shout came all at once, loud, warm, and familiar, filling my phone screen with smiling faces. My family. My heart softened instantly. “Thank you,” I laughed, pressing the phone closer. The first call I’d gotten this morning had been from Professor Oliver. He hadn’t just wished me happy birthday, he’d ordered me out of bed and into his penthouse before sunrise, insisting on cooking breakfast himself. Eggs, toast, fruits arranged like he was hosting royalty. That man never failed to surprise me. So now I sat on his couch, plate balanced on my knees, sunlight pouring in through the glass walls, while my family crowded the screen. “We miss you, Elora,” Auntie said, smiling too widely. “When are you coming to Ashtridge?” Of course. Ashtridge again. Lucian’s grandmother had talked about it endlessly last night…about traditions, the wedding, and Nora’s training to become the next Alpha of the Erelis pack. Everything felt so fast. So heavy all at once.