Chapter 380: Ties That Bind

**Emma’s Point of View:** It had been almost a week since Thelma left, and that week had passed quietly. The lull had been neither particularly noteworthy nor pleasant, whether for the elves or the werewolves. There was a sense of unease hanging over everything, but I couldn't quite place it. I had grown somewhat accustomed to my role as a trainee secretary under the Lycan King. Despite my lack of qualifications and my sudden entry into the world of politics, my colleagues and seniors had been kind. They hadn’t pushed me aside because of my inexperience or my background as a soldier who had been thrust into this position. The atmosphere here was different from what I had expected. People were not so easily dismissive. They gave me space to learn, and I worked hard to prove myself. My efforts weren’t just for personal growth, but for a future purpose: to one day assist Thelma, should the need arise. And that was a big part of my reasoning for sticking around. I wanted to help, not