ALICE POV
The monster was gone. I felt the remnants of its presence slip away like shadows in the morning light, leaving behind a calm that felt almost surreal. With a shaky breath, I staggered toward Alex, who was still catching his breath, and before I knew it, I was in his arms. The world faded away, leaving only the warmth of his embrace.
I kissed him fiercely, pouring every ounce of relief and gratitude into that single moment. My lips crashed against his with a desperate urgency, the taste of salt from the tears I hadn’t realized I’d shed mixing with the warmth of his mouth. His hands cradled my face, grounding me as if we were the only two souls left in the universe. The world around us blurred, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, every heartbeat echoing the
