<h4>Chapter 180: Winter Is Here</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    Wednesday morning arrived draped in a curtain of icy mist. The chill was sharper than the days before.


    My breath fogged up the balcony door as I stared outside, watching the frost etch delicate patterns onto the ss. Winter was no longer just approaching, it had arrived.


    Silver Moon was also beginning to transform with the changing season. Long gone the colors of autumn, and now, everyone was beginning to appear in thick and warmer clothes.


    Cold drinks had been reced by warm ones, fireces were glowing inmon rooms, and snow was in the air - figuratively for now, but literally any day. Everyone was counting down to three things: the first snowfall, Christmas, and perhaps the most anticipated of them all - the Winter Solstice Ball.


    I heard people talk about it in the hallways, in the dining room, in the study halls, and even in the most peaceful ce - the library. There were whispers of dresses, who was escorting whom, which Alpha’s family would be in attendance, and what connections could be made.


    The Winter Solstice Ball wasn’t just some dance, it was a royal event in our world. Attended by the Council, Alphas from across the globe, their Lunas, their Betas, their heirs, and few selected others who were lucky enough.


    It was a dream for many. A chance to mingle with the elite, to dress like royalty, to be seen.


    But me?


    I didn’t care.


    I was a nobody now, and even when I was a Greystone, I never attended these balls or gatherings where politics mattered more than feelings. A ce where someone like me - a wolfless nobody - would be nothing more than a target for judgmental stares and hushed whispers.


    So instead, I focused on what mattered - catching up on my sses.


    The days passed in a quiet, productive rhythm. I dove headfirst into study materials,piling notes, submitting assignments, and prepping for the uing wave of tests.


    Almost every day, I ended up at the library.


    It had always been my safe space. A ce I could escape to when everything else felt overwhelming. It was the same now... only better.


    Because he was there.


    Draven.


    He had returned to his volunteer duties at the library and, just like before, he always found time to slip away from the front desk and join me at my secluded table on the second floor - one tucked away near therge windows where I liked to study. Sometimes he would only stay for a minute or two, sometimes longer if no one was on the floor. And almost always, he brought me something.


    <fnef53> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n F?nd-Novel</fnef53>


    Fruits. A bottle of milk. Warm herbal tea. asionally juice. They were always paired with a soft word and a brief touch.


    He never said anything dramatic. He didn’t need to. His every little gesture spoke louder than words.


    Each time I saw him enter the library, a part of me rxed. My world felt steadier.


    Oscar, on the other hand, was drowning in work. The trials for the senior sses were in full swing and he barely had any free time. But despite his hectic schedule, he never missed a night.


    He called me without fail - sometimes before dinner, sometimeste in the night when he could barely keep his eyes open. He always asked how I was feeling, how the baby was doing, what I ate, and whether I missed him.


    I always said yes.


    And he promised toe see me on the weekend.


    Everything was back to normal, peaceful in my life. No, actually perfect.


    As the week went on, the weather dipped further. The balcony door remained fogged most mornings, and ourmon room was beginning to smell perpetually like cinnamon and hot cocoa.


    The entire campus buzzed with pre-holiday excitement. ns were being made, gift lists were being exchanged, and all the talk of snowfall had everyone in high spirits.


    That was when I realized something crucial - I didn’t have anything suitable for the cold weather.


    My wardrobe was woefully underprepared for the harsh winter that wasing, and with my pregnancy,fort was bing even more important.


    "I need to go shopping," I muttered to myself friday morning, tugging at my academy zer.


    Saturday would be the perfect day. After my working hours at the Council headquarters, I could drag Mallory along and pick up some warm clothes. And maybe start looking for Christmas gifts for my friends. For Oscar. For Draven.


    The idea made my chest warm.


    I already knew I wanted the gifts to be personal - something handmade or thoughtful, not something expensive or grand. But I’d need time to n and prepare.


    Saturday morning arrived faster than I expected. The dorm was chilly even with the heater on. I was heading out in my simple full-sleeve top and trousers when Mallory caught me and gave me one of her sweaters.


    I thanked her and quickly headed out as I was gettingte. When I arrived at the Academy gates, the familiar car was waiting there.


    "Good morning," Mr. Wood said as he opened the back door of the car for me and I quickly slipped inside.


    "Morning, Mr. Wood. Hopefully, I didn’t make you wait for too long." I said with a smile as he slipped into the driver’s seat.


    "Not at all, Miss Evaline." He replied kindly and started the engine.


    When I arrived at the headquarters, the sun was finally beginning to show itself but the sunlight was too weak to confront the morning chill.


    There was no sign of River in the office, so I just began my work by going through previous week’s reports - the ones I failed miserably to do properly. But even as the lunch hour arrived, River hadn’t shown up and neither I got any message or call from his secretary.


    This was actually a good thing. Who knew if he would have made me do overtime. Then I wouldn’t have been able to continue with my shopping n. But now, as he hadn’t shown up, I didn’t need to worry about my n getting canceled.


    Only if I knew...!