I woke to my alarm going off and the bed beside me already empty. The sheets were still warm though, which meant Phoenix had not been gone long. I had half convinced myself during the night that I had imagined him coming in, but his scent was woven through my entire room in a way that was impossible to argue with.
The clock read just before nine. I remembered I was meant to meet Pollux and Gaia for breakfast and threw the covers back immediately, my legs stiff and aching from the restless night.
It was another grey and rainy morning outside so I pulled on a lightweight baggy jumper and leggings, did nothing particularly useful with my hair and headed downstairs. The wolves I passed on the way looked surprised to see me, which was fair given that my return had not been announced to anyone. I could see them leaning toward each other as I passed and I grimaced at the thought of the speculation that was probably already spreading through the pack.
