Chapter 117. Urgency

CADE

My eyes fluttered open for no reason.

The first thing I noticed was the blanket covering my shoulders—tucked gently. I blinked up at the dim study light, still faintly glowing from the desk above me.

Arden. My lips curled slightly at the thought. She must’ve seen me knocked out and covered me up. That was just like her. No matter how tired she was, she was always thinking of others.

But if she put this on me, that meant she was awake.

I sat up straighter, rubbing the back of my neck and yawning. I was still groggy, but the moment I turned to the doorway and saw it empty, that familiar tug started deep in my chest.

“Arden?” I called out gently, still half-asleep.

No response.

My brow creased. I stood quickly, the chair scraping behind me. I walked toward the hallway, glancing left and right.

Nothing.

I picked up the pace, walking down to the far end where our room was. The lights were off, but I opened the door without