ALARIC POV
*Mercy - Shawn Mendes*
Elias swore under his breath and stopped short in front of me.
Only then did I register the looks. The way a nurse slowed mid-step. The way a security guard’s gaze flicked down and back up again, uncertain whether to intervene or pretend this wasn’t happening.
I was naked.
Not metaphorically. Not mostly. Completely. Bare skin streaked with dirt and blood, drying in uneven patches across my chest and arms. My hands were shaking — not violently, but constantly — a fine tremor I hadn’t noticed until I tried to clench my fingers and they wouldn’t obey.
Elias didn’t say a word. He just turned on his heel and disappeared down the corridor.
He came back less than a minute later carrying a pair of hospital scrub pants and a clean T-shirt, still folded the w
