Chapter 5

The next morning, I woke up with a sense of purpose.

For the first time since the ceremony, I had a plan.

It wasn't much of one, but it was enough.

I was going to find somewhere else to stay.

The room Agatha had given me was comfortable. Too comfortable. The soft mattress, the warm blankets, the expensive furniture, I could get used to all of it if I wasn't careful.

And that was exactly the problem.

This wasn't my home.

No matter how kind Aurelia had been.

No matter how generous Alpha Kael was being.

Sooner or later, I would have to leave.

The sooner I accepted that, the better.

After getting dressed, I made my way downstairs.

The smell of breakfast drifted through the hallways.

As I entered the dining room, Aurelia's face lit up.

"Aria!"

She abandoned all interest in the food in front of her and practically bounced in her seat.

I couldn't help smiling.

"Good morning, Aurelia." I said.

"Good morning, Alpha Kael."

He gave a brief nod.

"Come sit beside me." she said.

I complied.

Aurelia looked adorable as always. Her curly blonde hair had been left loose, falling around her shoulders in soft ringlets. She was wearing a baby pink gown that matched the ribbons tied around her wrists.

The moment I sat down, she scooted her chair closer to mine.

"Look," she whispered excitedly.

She held up a piece of toast with a crooked smile drawn on it in strawberry jam.

"Agatha says I'm making a mess."

"You are making a mess," I said, laughing.

"But it's a happy mess," Aurelia argued.

I glanced at the table.

Crumbs were scattered everywhere around her plate.

"I think Agatha might disagree."

"Daddy doesn't mind."

My gaze instinctively drifted toward Kael.

He was seated at the head of the table, a report open in front of him.

Without looking up, he said,

"I do mind."

I blinked.

Was that a joke?

Judging from Kael's expression, there was no way to tell.

Aurelia gasped dramatically.

"You weren't supposed to hear that."

For the briefest moment, I thought I saw the corner of Kael's mouth twitch.

I cleared my throat and addressed Aurelia.

"I'll be heading into town today."

She immediately looked at me.

"Why?" she asked a bit worried.

"I need to take care of something."

Her brows furrowed.

"Will you come back?"

The question caught me off guard.

"Of course."

"Promise?"

I smiled.

"I promise." I'll come back, at least to pack my things. I thought.

We ate the rest of our breakfast in relative silence.

Aurelia was the only one who occasionally spoke, mostly about a drawing she planned to finish later.

Once breakfast was over, Kael rose from his seat.

Aurelia immediately held out her arms.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Daddy needs to take care of a few things."

"Will you be back before dinner?" Aurelia asked.

"I will."

She seemed satisfied with that answer.

Kael straightened and his gaze shifted to me.

"You're still planning to go into town?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

For a moment, he simply looked at me.

Then he said,

"Take one of the estate vehicles."

I blinked.

"That's not necessary." I said.

"As you wish."

The answer came too quickly.

Before I could figure out why that bothered me, he turned away.

"Have a good day, Moonbeam."

"Bye Daddy!"

And just like that, he was gone.

Not long after Kael left, Agatha appeared.

"Young Miss, it's time to get ready for school."

Aurelia groaned dramatically and dropped her head onto the table.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes."

"But Aria is here."

"Aria will still be here when you return."

I ignored the tiny stab of guilt that statement caused.

Aurelia slid off her chair and wrapped her arms around my waist.

"You'll be here when I get back, right?"

My smile faltered.

"I'll try."

Aurelia narrowed her eyes.

"That's not what I asked."

I laughed despite myself.

"Go to school, troublemaker."

"That's not a promise." she said.

"Aurelia."

"Fine."

As Aurelia disappeared down the hallway with Agatha, the estate suddenly felt much larger.

And much less welcoming.

I released a slow breath.

It was time.

The longer I delayed this, the harder it would become.