Alaric POV
The house felt too crowded. Even with Isabella tucked away in the east wing and the guards patrolling the halls, I could feel the walls closing in on us. Elena was trying to be strong, but I could see the questions in her eyes every time she looked at me. She wanted the truth, and I was still terrified to give it to her.
I needed to get her away. I needed to take her back to where it all started.
"Put on your coat," I told her after dinner. "We’re going out."
"Again?" she asked, but she didn't argue. She looked a little tired, but she followed me to the car.
I drove toward the university. The campus was quiet at this hour. Most of the students were gone, and only a few lights flickered in the dorm windows. I had the keys to the main finance building. I led her through th
