Alaric’s POV
Embarrassed by my own hesitation, I immediately put aside my own guilt and inched closer to Cara. When she whimpered again, my heart lurched. Unable to hold myself back even a moment longer, I leaned down and scooped her into my arms.
Gently, I turned her toward me, cradling her head and shoulders against my chest. She leaned into me at once. Her hands uncurled from fists and clawed at my shirt instead, as if trying to tug me closer.
She could do what she wanted. I would be as close as she needed me to be. So long as she didn’t suffer alone anymore.
Quickly, in my embrace, her whimpering ceased and her crumpled up brow loosened. She seemed peaceful now, her face and body relaxing, though she continued to cling to my shirt with a tight grip.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I pro
