Elara POV:
The packhouse feels charged tonight, their excitement pulsing through the pack as they ready for tomorrow.
Footsteps echo through corridors that should be quiet by now. Laughter drifts up from the courtyard where torches are being repositioned for the third time. Someone drops something metal. Someone else swears, absolutely no one is sleeping.
Caelan closes the door behind us and exhales slowly. “I give very clear instructions,” he says dryly. “Rest, recover. Don’t treat this like a festival.”
I fold my arms, leaning back against the table. “And?”
“They’re polishing stones like they’ll shine brighter if they glare at them long enough.”
I smile. “You’re upset about enthusiasm.”
“I’m upset they’re ignoring me” he says without conviction.
“They’re not ignoring you. They’re
