Chapter 33

Emily’s PUV

The next morning, I woke up earlier than expected, staring at the pale ceiling. The royal residence was silent – no girls laughing, no footsteps, no Poppy complaining about duties, and no Jessie barging in.

Only the rustle of sheets, the room’s warmth, and a strange feeling remained. I still didn’t feel like I truly

belonged here.

My body hurt less than yesterday; bruises and scratches lingered, but I could walk without tears. That felt like

> rogress.

After washing my face and brushing my hair, I changed into a simple dress and headed downstairs. The smell of

coffee and something sweet led me to the kitchen.

Meredyth stood by the counter, tying an apron around her waist. She looked up when I entered.

“ Good morning, sweetheart. ”

“ Good morning. ”

Her eyes swept over me. “ Did you sleep? ”

“ A little. ” Which was technically true.

She gave me a look that said she didn’t really believe me, but thankfully, she let it go.

“ Can I help with breakfast? ” I asked.

Her expression warmed. “ You’re supposed to be resting. ”

“ I know. ” I looked at the bowls on the counter. “ But I feel useless just sitting around. ”

Meredyth studied me for a moment, then smiled. “ Alright. Do you like pancakes? ”

I blinked. “ I love them, and I know a recipe, ” I said, looking at the counter. “ My mom showed it to me a long time

go, and I still remember it. ”

“ Then today you teach me your way, ” she said warmly.

Working together, we whipped up the batter. Flour. Milk. Eggs. A little sugar. A little vanilla. Meredyth taught me low to pour just enough into the pan and wait until tiny bubbles appeared before flipping it.

The first pancake came out weird. The second one burned on one side. The third looked almost normal. By the ‘ ourth, I finally started to feel proud of myself.

“ This one looks edible, ” I said.

Meredyth laughed. “ That’s progress, sweetheart. ”

AL

5:25 pm

my chest instantly vanished when heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Natian and Liam entered the kitchen.

My attention was locked entirely on Nathan. He looked tired and serious, his hair still damp from a recent shower. Clad in a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, he looked, honestly, way too handsome for my own

good.

He caught me staring. Our eyes locked, and for a beat, neither of us looked away.

Then Liam ruined the moment, lunging past us and stealing a pancake right off the top of the stack.

“ Careful, it’s hot, ” Meredyth warned, swatting at his hand.

Too late. Liam had already bitten into it. His eyes went wide. He sucked in air, trying to cool the food in his mouth

without spitting it out.

I tried not to laugh, but I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing.

Liam waved one hand dramatically in front of his face.

“ Worth it, ” he mumbled.

When I looked up, I saw that Nathan was laughing too. He wasn’t loud about it, but his mouth curved into a smile, and his eyes were on me with a warmth I wasn’t used to.

My face flushed bright red. I quickly turned back to the pan. “ The next one is going to burn if everyone keeps listracting me. ”

“ I would never, ” Liam said, already reaching for another pancake.

Meredyth slapped his hand lightly. “ Sit. ”

This time, we stayed in the kitchen instead of moving to the dining room. Everyone gathered around the big counter. It felt oddly normal, almost like a family.

Liam searched through every drawer. “ Where’s the maple syrup? ”

“ In the drawer under the island, ” Meredyth said. “ Beside the jams. ”

Liam opened the right drawer and looked as happy as if he’d just found treasure.

Nathan sat across from me. No matter how hard I tried not to notice, I could feel him watching me. His gaze was steady and warm. He watched me flip pancakes, put them on the plate, and even when I sat down. He only looked

away once he started eating.

I felt a small, unfamiliar excitement in my chest. Maybe things were starting to get better. Maybe this house could actually start to feel less scary.

The kitchen was filled with the quiet sounds of breakfast. Forks clinked against plates. Liam hummed happily. Meredyth poured coffee. Nathan ate, looking calmer than I’d ever seen him.

5:25 pm

PPP

It was peaceful.

Then Stella walked in. “ Good morning, everyone. ”

My whole body tensed up. Luckily, my back was to her. If I’d been facing her, I might have tried one of the fighting

moves I barely knew.

I still didn’t remember everything clearly. The wolf run remained broken in my head. Wind. Freedom. A ight – haired wolf. Impact. The cliff. But I knew one thing. I hadn’t slipped. Someone had knocked me over the edge.

And before that, Stella had threatened me.

“ Stella, ” Meredyth said politely. Her voice was calm, but not warm. “ Would you like pancakes? ”

“ I’d love some, ” Stella said sweetly. Too sweetly.

A plate was set for her. And naturally, she chose the seat beside Nathan. As close to him as possible.

Nyx growled inside me. “ He’s mine. ”

I almost choked on my orange juice. “ Not now, ” I warned Nyx.

Stella leaned toward Nathan. “ How are you feeling today? You looked exhausted. ”

“ I’m fine, ” he said shortly.

She placed her hand near his arm. Not touching him. Almost. As if testing whether he would move away.

He did. Just slightly. But I noticed. And so did she.

The nice feeling from earlier started to fade. Stella took over the room easily. She talked about patrols, the weather, a warrior who embarrassed himself in training, a dress she ordered, and basically everything and nothing

ll at once.

Her voice filled the whole kitchen. She kept smiling, but it never teached her eyes. The good feeling from the

norning was gone.

Then she made one mistake.

“ These pancakes are delicious, Meredyth, ” Stella said, giving the Luna a flattering smile. “ As always, you’re

mazing. ”

Meredyth’s smile didn’t change, but her eyes did. “ Oh, this wasn’t me. ”

Stella paused.

“ Emily made them. ” Meredyth placed a gentle hand over mine.

My face grew warm again.

“ It’s my mother’s recipe, ” I said softly.

5:25 pm

“ And you made them perfectly, Meredyth replied.

Nathan looked at me.

“ These are very good, ” he said.

His compliment was simple and quiet, but it meant more to me than it should have. He sounded completely sincere, with no pretense or forced warmth.

“ Thank you, ” I said softly.

For some reason, Stella’s smile tightened.

“ Yes, ” she added. “ Magical pancakes, Emily. ”

Every word sounded overly sweet and fake. Even Liam gave her a strange look. Her act was slipping, and I wasn’t

he only one who noticed.

A short while later, Nathan pushed back from the counter. “ We’ll be gone most of the day. ”

Liam stood too. “ Don’t wait for us. ”

Nathan leaned down and kissed Meredyth on the cheek. Liam did the same. Then Nathan stopped in front of me.

The whole room went quiet. For a second, he looked unsure should he shake my hand, hug me, say goodbye, or

iss my cheek?

The thought made my heart race. He didn’t move. I didn’t move. Everyone watched.

Liam finally bumped his shoulder into Nathan’s. “ Come on, Romeo. ”

Nathan shot him a murderous look. Liam only grinned.

They started toward the entrance. But before leaving, Nathan turned back. His eyes found mine. “ Don’t get

ored. ”

୮

I blinked.

A mischievous grin spread across his face, his dark eyes lighting up with amusement.

“ There’s a whole library full of my mother’s romance novels, ” he teased. “ Try Feral Desires. ”

My face burned hot enough to melt.

Did he know?

5:25 pm

PP

Chapter 34

Emily’s PUV

Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.