Morning Light

Seraphina’s POV Sunlight. Soft… warm… gentle. It slipped through the curtains, brushing lightly against my face as I slowly opened my eyes. For a moment, I didn’t move. Didn’t think. Didn’t remember. It felt… peaceful. Then reality returned. The rejection. The pain. The forest. My chest tightened slightly—but not as much as before. That surprised me. I sat up slowly, glancing around the room again. It still felt unfamiliar… but no longer threatening. Safe. The word came to me naturally. Too naturally. A quiet knock interrupted my thoughts. “You’re awake.” My heart skipped. Rowan. I turned as the door opened, and there he was—standing in the soft morning light, looking just as composed and controlled as ever. But something felt… different. Less distant. “Good morning,” I said, my voice softer than I intended. He nodded slightly. “How do you feel?” “Better,” I admitted. “Stronger.” His gaze lingered on me for a moment, as if confirming it for himself. “Good.” Silence followed—but it wasn’t empty. It felt… careful. Like both of us were aware of something neither of us wanted to say out loud. “I brought you something,” he said, stepping forward. Only then did I notice the tray in his hand. Food. Warm. Fresh. My stomach betrayed me with a quiet growl. Heat rushed to my cheeks instantly. Rowan’s lips twitched—just slightly. Was that… amusement? “You need to eat,” he said, placing the tray beside me. “Thank you,” I murmured, avoiding his eyes as I reached for it. But I could feel his gaze on me. Steady. Unmoving. It made it hard to focus. I took a bite, trying to ignore the way my heart kept beating just a little too fast. “Slow down,” he said suddenly. I froze. “What?” “You’re eating like it might disappear,” he added, his tone calm… but there was something softer beneath it. I swallowed quickly, embarrassed. “I didn’t realize I was…” His eyes met mine again. “You don’t have to rush anything here.” The words were simple. But they hit deeper than they should have. Because he wasn’t just talking about food. I looked down at my hands, suddenly unsure what to say. No one had ever spoken to me like that before. Not with patience. Not with… care. “Thank you,” I said again, quieter this time. When I looked up— He was closer. I hadn’t even noticed him move. My breath caught slightly. Too close. Again. “Lift your hand,” he said. I blinked. “Why?” “Just do it.” I hesitated… then slowly raised my hand. He reached out. My heart jumped as his fingers gently wrapped around my wrist. Warm. Firm. Careful. A strange awareness spread through me instantly, making it hard to breathe. He was just checking me. That’s all. So why did it feel like more? His thumb brushed lightly against my skin, as if feeling my pulse. The contact sent a subtle shiver through me. His expression darkened slightly… focused. “Your heartbeat is faster than normal,” he said. I pulled my hand back quickly. “It’s fine,” I said, a little too fast. His eyes lifted to mine. Knowing. Too knowing. Silence stretched between us again. Thick. Charged. “I should… get dressed,” I said, breaking the moment as I looked away. A pause. Then— “I’ll have something brought to you,” he said. His voice had changed. Lower. Rougher. Just like last night. He turned to leave, but stopped at the door. “Seraphina.” I looked up. “You’re safe here,” he repeated. And somehow… This time, it felt different. Stronger. More personal. The door closed behind him. And I sat there, staring at where he stood just moments ago… my heart still racing. Confused. Drawn. And slowly realizing— This place… This Alpha… Might be far more dangerous to my heart than anything waiting outside.