I opened my eyes for a brief second before shutting them again, the weight of sleep still clinging stubbornly to my lashes. My body felt heavy yet oddly comfortable, as if I had sunk into the mattress itself.
With a low groan, I pushed myself upright on the bed and stretched, my arms reaching high above my head as a fierce yawn escaped my lips.
For the first time in what felt like forever, my body felt… good.
Not just rested, but renewed. Relaxed. Rejuvenated.
Warmth spread through my limbs, and there was a lightness in my chest that made me breathe deeper than usual. I rolled my shoulders, twisting from side to side, releasing soft groaning sounds as my joints popped lightly.
I felt more alive than I had ever felt.
"It seems like you enjoyed your little nap."
The voice cut through the calm like a blade.
I screamed.
My heart leapt violently into my throat as I jolted sideways, completely losing my balance. The next thing I knew, I was tumbling off the bed and hitting the floor with a dull thud, pain shooting through my elbow as I landed awkwardly.
I scrambled backward in panic, my breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps.
"What the...!"
I was already preparing to flee when my eyes finally focused.
Alexander stood by the windowpane, his body casually leaning against the wall beside it, one boot resting flat against the stone as though he had been there for hours. Sunlight streamed in behind him, casting his tall frame in sharp contrast and outlining him in gold.
My heart was still racing, but my anxiety quickly turned to anger.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice louder than intended as I pushed myself to my feet. "You scared me!"
He straightened slightly, his lips curving into something that wasn't quite a smile.
"It seems you're more agile than I thought," he said calmly, pushing himself off the wall and beginning to walk toward my bed.
I stood up fully, my eyes never leaving him as I glared daggers at him as he approached me.
With every step he took, I could feel my body instinctively tense up because his expression seemed calm and composed.
"Is this how you sneak up on your guests?" I snapped. "You can't just enter someone's room while they're..."
I never finished the sentence.
In the blink of an eye, he was suddenly right in front of me.
I gasped, my breath catching sharply in my chest as my back hit the edge of the bed. I hadn't even seen him move. One second he was several steps away, and the next...
My pulse thundered in my ears.
His blue eyes locked onto mine, intense and unblinking.
"You seem too fine for someone who had everyone in my mansion on edge," he said casually, clicking his tongue. "After all, you've been asleep for three days."
I stared at him, stunned.
Three days?
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, placing my hands firmly on my waist as I tried to steady myself.
"You're unbelievable," I said. "And for the record, you shouldn't be in a girl's room."
I reached out and pushed at his chest, intending to put distance between us but instead of stepping back, he caught my wrist effortlessly.
I froze.
Before I could react, his other hand lifted, fingers gently tilting my chin upward. My breath hitched as he leaned closer, and suddenly I was acutely aware of how close he was...too close.
His eyes searched my face with unsettling focus.
I swallowed hard.
Up close, I noticed things I hadn't before. His hair was slightly damp, as though he'd just come from bathing, strands darker at the tips. His sharp features were relaxed, yet there was a quiet intensity in his gaze that made it impossible to look away.
My eyes betrayed me, drifting from his piercing blue stare to the bridge of his nose, then lower to his... his lips, perfectly shaped, neither smiling nor frowning before tracing the sharp line of his jaw.
Heat rushed to my cheeks, creeping down my neck.
"You really do seem perfectly fine," he murmured, his breath brushing my face.
That was enough.
I shoved him away harder than I intended.
He stumbled back three steps, clearly surprised, and I stood there just as shocked. I stared at my hands, my chest rising and falling rapidly.
Had I just done that?
I felt… strong. Stronger than usual. My limbs buzzed with unfamiliar energy, but I had no time to dwell on it.
I pushed him again, forcing him toward the door, yanked it open, and pointed outside.
"Get out!" I yelled.
He didn't resist this time. I slammed the door behind him with a sharp crack that echoed through the room.
I leaned back against it immediately, pressing my palms to the wood as I tried to catch my breath. My heart pounded wildly, and my cheeks burned as though they were on fire.
Why does he look so handsome in the morning?
The thought startled me, and I shook my head quickly, trying to banish it.
Before I could sink further into my embarrassment, the door flew open again...this time with far less menace.
"Kathy!" I exclaimed as she rushed in and wrapped her arms tightly around me.
Her sudden embrace startled me, but I didn't pull away.
"I thought something had happened to you," she said, her voice trembling. "I was so worried."
I frowned slightly, confusion washing over me.
"What are you talking about?" I asked gently. "I didn't go anywhere. I just woke up from a nap."
She pulled back abruptly, staring at me as though I'd spoken nonsense.
"A nap?" she repeated slowly. "You fainted. Alexander found you lying in the hallway. You've been asleep for three days."
"Three days?" I exclaimed.
The words echoed in my head, heavy and unreal.
Three days.
Alexander's earlier comment came rushing back to me. I had assumed he was exaggerating...mocking me, even. But hearing it from Kathy made my stomach twist.
"When did I faint?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"You don't remember?" she asked softly. "At first, I thought Alexander's mate had poisoned you. I was terrified. But Alexander said she wasn't involved and immediately called for a doctor."
She paused, her expression darkening slightly.
"The doctor said you were fine. Just exhausted. But after one day passed, then two…" Her voice cracked. "I was scared you wouldn't wake up."
I felt a strange warmth spread through my chest at her concern.
"I remember being with Ellen," I murmured. "All morning… until noon."
Fragments of memory surfaced.
Walking back down the hallway. The sudden weakness. My vision blurring.
Then nothing.
"I didn't even make it back to my room," I whispered.
"Are you sure you're okay now?" Kathy asked.
I nodded slowly. "I've never felt better."
And it was true. Despite everything, I felt energized almost overflowing with strength.
"That's a relief," she said, smiling through lingering worry.
"I should shower," I added. "And eat. I'm starving."
She laughed softly. "That's a good sign. I'll tell Kael to have something prepared."
After she left, the room fell quiet again.
I looked around slowly, my heart still unsettled.
"Three days," I whispered to myself. "I must have been more worn out than I realized."
I shrugged it off and went to the bathroom to take a shower.