Chapter 211. Inevitable Confrontation

Aurora’s POV

The morning sun streamed through the wide dining hall windows, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table as the scent of freshly brewed coffee and syrup-drenched pancakes filled the air. I sat between Caleb and Avery, my fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic mug in front of me, the steam rising up and curling around my face. The atmosphere was relaxed, a contrast to last night’s tension, and for once, I allowed myself to bask in the normalcy of it all.

Shane slid into the seat across from me, his movements cautious yet fluid. He nodded in greeting, his dark eyes scanning the group. Caleb, ever the one to bridge gaps, took it upon himself to introduce him. “Shane, this is Ashton, Maggie, and Avery,” he said, gesturing to each of them in turn.

“Guys, this is Shane.”

Shane offered a small smile, polite but guarded. “Hey,” he said simply, his voice even but carrying an unmistakable edge of distance. It was clear he was still adjusting, st