Chapter 205

Claire's POV After agreeing to join the Eclipse Pack, I still couldn't bring myself to accept Cyrus's invitation to spend Christmas with them. The idea of spending such an intimate holiday with him felt like crossing too many boundaries at once. "A solo Christmas vacation is exactly what we need," Stella agreed as I scrolled through resort options online. "No family drama, no pack obligations." I finally settled on Oakenheart Resort, a luxury mountain retreat about three hours' drive from Crescent City. The website promised pristine views, spa treatments, and most importantly—privacy. "Just me, some novels, and hot chocolate," I said, hitting the booking button. The resort was even more beautiful than the pictures. My cabin overlooked a frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered pines, with mountains rising in the background. After checking in, I spent my first evening soaking in the private hot tub on my deck, watching snowflakes drift down through steam. For the first time in months, I f