Dalia's POV
Every muscle in my body screamed in protest as I dragged myself through the final drill. Coach Zella had pushed us harder than ever today, and my legs felt like jelly beneath me. Sweat dripped down my face, stinging my eyes, while my lungs burned with each ragged breath.
The practice field spun slightly as exhaustion hit me like a freight train. I could barely keep my eyes open, let alone maintain my usual defiant attitude when Orion appeared beside me.
Before I could even register what was happening, his powerful arms swept me up against his chest. The protest died on my lips before it could form properly.
"Orion," I managed to whisper, but the fight had completely drained out of me.
Instead of struggling, I found myself melting against his solid warmth. His scent wrapped around me like a security blanket, and Darby stirred lazily inside my mind, purring with contentment at Marshall's proximity.
