Alaric's POV

Raine slept for eight hours. I was beginning to wonder if something was physically wrong with her, but her vital signs remained calm and stable. She even snored softly at times. I held her tightly with her back against my chest, feeling her heartbeat through her skin.

Finally, she stirred in my arms as she came to awareness. Suddenly, she started to thrash her body, trying to break free of my grip. I held her tighter and whispered urgently, "It's just me...You are safe now. No one is going to hurt you."

She exhaled loudly as she stopped fighting. Then she curled into me tighter. I wrapped myself...