Chapter 0117

The panic attack hit me out of nowhere. One moment I was fine, the next—flashes of that night surged through me like a tidal wave. The terror. The agony. Adrian was there instantly, grounding me with his steady presence. But it left me shaken. What happens when I finally meet my mate? He’ll want to claim me. What if I freeze again? What if I can’t do it?

I barely slept, those questions gnawing at me.

Training with Dad was lighter than usual, but still exhausting. By the end, every muscle screamed. A scalding bath was the only solution. I dumped in the last of the muscle soak Adrian had given me and sank into the water, letting it leach the soreness away until it turned tepid.

I need flowers for Mom’s memorial. Luna Seraphina and Adrian probably bring something formal, but spring’s here—I want color. Something vibrant, like she was.

Adrian’s picking me up at three. Plenty of time to grab flowers and cram for finals. Graduation’s in three months. Nothing’s stopping me from walking that stage.

At lunch, Dad only nodded when I told him my plans. “Good. Your mother would’ve wanted you there.”

The florist’s shop smelled like damp earth and petals. An elderly woman smiled from behind the counter. “Need help, dear?”

“Yes. I’m visiting my mother’s memorial, but I don’t know what to bring.”

“Did she have a favorite flower?”

I shook my head. “She died when I was little.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She gestured at the blooms around us. “There’s no wrong choice. You can pick by color, meaning, even birth month.”

Birth month. “What’s the flower for May?”

“Lily of the Valley.” She led me to a cluster of delicate white bells. “These.”

I brushed a fingertip over one. “Lily of the Valley… I wonder if that’s why she was named Ivy?”

The woman’s eyes sharpened. “Your mother was Ivy Sinclair?”

“Yes.”

She pressed a hand to her chest. “Goddess above. You’re Evelyn Sinclair?”

I tensed. “How do you know me?”

“Dorothy,” she introduced herself, shaking my hand eagerly. “I knew of your mother through Luna Seraphina. They were close.” She hesitated. “May I suggest something?”

“Please.”

“Luna’s been receiving red and white arrangements all winter. Since it’s March now, we have daffodils—the birth flower for this month. Pairing them with lilies would make a lovely spring bouquet.”

I agreed, and she began assembling it. The shop’s bell chimed as another customer entered. Then the scent hit me—warm, rich, unmistakable.

Chocolate.