[Elena's POV]

My eyelids felt like they were glued shut. Everything hurt.

My right shoulder felt like it was burning from the inside out.

I let out a weak groan and finally managed to open my eyes.

The bright white ceiling of the hospital room slowly came into focus. The steady beep... beep... of a heart monitor filled the quiet space.

"Don't move," a rough, gravelly voice ordered instantly.

I turned my head slightly.

Noah was sitting in a chair right next to my bed. He looked terrible.

His dark brown hair was messy, hanging over his forehead. He had a heavy shadow of stubble on his jaw, and deep,...