#Chapter 114: Remote

DEREK The bouquet was clutched in my hand like a shield, and I was two seconds from turning around and walking back to the car. I’d picked the damn flowers myself—real ones, not store-bought. Lavender sprigs for calm, moon roses because they reminded me of her, and a few wild irises from the edge of the Silverclaw valley. I didn’t know if it was too much. Or not enough. The Moonstone packhouse loomed ahead, a perfect blend of elegance and earth, and I’d barely stepped onto the porch before the door opened and Elena was standing there. She wore jeans and a long-sleeved tee, hair pulled back, eyes sharp. Not unfriendly. Just… guarded. “Hey,” I said, clearing my throat. “Hey.” She eyed the flowers, then looked back up at me. “Are those for me or for the camping trip?” I handed them over. “You. Figured I owed you something nice after ambushing you with a proposal under questionable circumstances.” Her lips twitched. Almost a smile. She took them gently, holding them to her