Chapter 278

AURELIA’S POV The house was quiet when I opened my eyes. Too quiet. For a moment, panic tightened in my chest. But then I noticed the folded slip of parchment resting on the edge of my desk. I sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and reached for it. We’ve gone to meet with another pack. An urgent matter. Rest and recover. Don’t worry. No names. No details. Just the usual vague, clipped message my family always left behind. I set the note down and let out a long breath. For once, I wasn’t disappointed. If anything, the silence of an empty house was almost… comforting. Alone. Finally alone. Content with the thought, I stretched my arms above my head and climbed out of bed. For a while, I lingered by the window, watching the soft wash of morning sunlight spilling across the grounds. Then, with a little determination I hadn’t felt in days, I decided: today I would treat myself. It was a silly thought, maybe even a selfish one, but small things had always been where I found my hap