Chapter 30 Mother's Vow

• Early morning chills invaded the Wildwood Packhouse, nipping Iris's bones as she woke up. Not just the cold but the tension in the air since the previous night kept her so restless. Erin's proposal remained fresh in her mind. His patience was something she deeply appreciated, but Iris knew she could not hold on for too long.
• She got dressed for the day, but that sense of something not quite right just would not go away. Sleeplessness clung to her like a damp shroud, lassitude with every movement. She thought of her twins, sleeping peacefully in the room next to her, and squared her shoulders. Whatever happens now, I have to make sure they are safe.
• Her humdrum daily routine was suddenly disrupted by the appearance of a piece of paper slipped under her door. She took it with a thumping heart and unfolded it. The note, though brief, was chilling: "Leave the Packhouse, or you'll regret it."