Pauline's POV
Winter break started tomorrow, and Audrey had decided to accompany me to school for the final day. She walked back and forth across my room, anxiety radiating from every movement. I understood her restlessness completely.
Today marked the day she planned to reveal her mate bond to Logan. The secret had become too heavy for her to carry alone.
My own nerves felt frayed as well.
Aliya had returned home the previous evening after finishing her final semester at Apex Academy ahead of us. Since her arrival, the entire household seemed to exist under a suffocating weight. When she entered the living room that morning, her mere presence made me shrink into myself.
"Why are you taking forever?" Aliya demanded, positioning herself in the doorway with crossed arms. Her sharp gaze moved between Audrey and me with obvious disapproval.
