Elara's POV
Samuel and I went back to my apartment with Mia asleep in his arms. He offered to move us into the Golden Crown estate—the Pack House. I said no.
"After the wedding," I told him. "Not before."
He tried again, offering to buy us a bigger house instead, something more comfortable for Mia. I turned that down too.
"If I want a new place, I can afford one myself." I met his eyes. "I want to stay independent, Samuel."
"I respect that." He didn't push, didn't argue, just let it drop, the way he always did when I drew a line.
We put Mia to bed together, the two of us on either side of her small bed, tucking the blanket in, listening to her breathing slow down. Something about it felt easy in a way nothing else had all night. Once she was asleep, we went down to the kitchen, and I
