Hearing that, Damon visibly relaxed, relieved I wasn’t starting an argument.
“No problem,” he said lightly. “The Calastiral Territory isn’t far. Let me know whenever you want to visit.”
He still had no idea I wasn’t planning on coming back, and I had no intention of telling him.
Aunt Lydia frowned, glancing at Serena, who was now adjusting one of the bags in Damon’s hands. Her smile faltered when she noticed Aunt Lydia’s scrutinizing gaze, but she quickly recovered.
The four of us stood there in awkward silence until Serena spoke up, feigning exhaustion.
“Damon, this is so heavy. Can we take the elevator first? I’m getting tired.”
“Of course,” Damon said, turning to the delivery driver. “Hold off on bringing up the rest for now. We’ll go up first.”
I stepped aside without a word, letting them pass. Damon hesitated for a moment, maybe expecting me to protest, but when I didn’t, he hurried into the elevator with Serena.
As the doors closed, I couldn’t help but remember a time when I had been in her place. Back when Aunt Lydia first moved, Damon had been just as attentive to me—carrying my bags, setting up my things, smiling as he called me the “future lady of the house.”
Watching them now felt like looking at a version of myself I barely recognized anymore.
Aunt Lydia sighed beside me, breaking my thoughts. “Are you really okay with this?”
“There’s no misunderstanding,” I said flatly. “He’s never let one stay overnight. If he hasn’t explained, then it’s because there’s nothing to explain.”
She studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable, before nodding.
I delivered the gifts to Aunt Lydia and said my goodbyes, but Damon and Serena were still upstairs. Out of courtesy—maybe out of habit—I sent him a quick message asking when he’d be back.
His response came almost instantly, but it wasn’t a text. It was a voice message.
“Elara,” Serena’s sweet voice chimed in, “Damon’s helping me unpack some equipment and set up my new office space. It’s a lot of work, and there’s so much to do. Don’t wait up, okay?”
I stared at my phone, unsure if I wanted to laugh or cry.
Then another message popped up.
“By the way, don’t overthink this,” Serena added. “Damon just felt sorry for me because I’m new here and don’t know anyone. He’s just being a good Alpha-in-training. You understand, right?”