Chapter 299: A Turn of Events (Katelyn's POV)

(Katelyn’s POV)

A hand shook my shoulder gently, and I opened my eyes to see Tyler leaning over me, his face hovering over me with a mixture of urgency and anxiety.

"Kate," he whispered, his voice low but insistent. "Wake up, we need to get upstairs. Dad says he needs to talk to you."

I blinked my eyes, still groggy with sleep as I tried to piece together what was happening. It took a moment, but Tyler’s words slowly began to register and tension immediately began to set into my muscles.

“Talk to me?” I echoed, pushing myself up on one elbow. “Do you think it's The Elders?” I asked, already having come to the conclusion in my own mind.

“I don’t know... He just said he needs to talk to you as soon as you wake up,” Tyler replied, rubbing a hand through his hair, his expression tense. "I mean, maybe I should have let you sleep," he admitted, sounding a little sheepish now, "but it just felt like it was kinda urgent," he went on, guilt lacing his words.

"No, it's fine," I assured him, hav