Chapter 177

Aisha POV The letter arrived on a quiet afternoon, when the pack house was alive with the sounds of laughter. Kaya and Noah were racing down the hallway, their little feet thundering against the polished wood, while Simon pretended to chase them, his growl exaggerated until both twins squealed and hid behind me. I was still laughing when a messenger arrived at the door, bowing low before handing me a sealed parchment. At first I thought it was another request for aid from a neighboring pack, but then I recognized Emma’s careful handwriting across the surface. My heart gave a small, startled jump. Simon noticed instantly, his eyes sharpening the way they always did when something mattered. “From Emma?” he asked, already at my side, one arm wrapping possessively around my waist as if he could read the contents faster if he held me closer. I nodded and broke the seal. The parchment unfurled with a crisp snap, and the first words blurred as tears welled in my eyes. I blinked quickly and re