107

Meghan’s POV.

The first rays of morning light crept through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across our bedroom. As I stirred from slumber, the sensation of Lin's absence washed over me like a bittersweet tide. The sheets still held the residual warmth of his body, a faint memory of his presence that filled the room.

I blinked away the remnants of sleep, my mind registering the early hour displayed on the clock. Lin's early morning departures had become a familiar routine, leaving me feeling both longing and curious about his whereabouts. With a deep exhale, I threw off the covers and swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

The cool touch of the hardwood floor sent a shiver up my spine as I made my way down the hallway, my steps guided by a mix of curiosity and the hope of finding Lin somewhere within the pack's compound. The house was quiet, the only sounds my soft footfalls and the distant rustling of leaves outside.

As I rounded a corner, the sight before me brought me to