ALARIC POV
For the first time in weeks—
Maybe in my entire goddamn life—
I woke up at peace.
Not half-ready to jump out of bed because my brain decided something was wrong.
Not because someone needed me, not even tired because I'd spent the night tossing and turning trying to shut my brain up.
Peace.
Real peace.
And it was just because of her. Warm and heavy and breathing softly against my chest.
My eyes opened slowly, blinking against the pale morning light filtering through the curtains, and there she was.
My mate.
Curled around me, where she belonged.
Like she always had.
Her fiery red hair was sprawled all over my chest and pillow, tangled around my arm, soft strands brushing my skin every time she breathed. One of her legs was hooked over mine beneath the sheets, her body
