ADRIAN
I pried my eyes open the instant the clock struck five in the morning. I got out of bed, and did my routine. I kept my movement quiet, so I don’t say startle Sloane. She didn’t even come to bed till after midnight. I stared at her for a bit, then I stepped out of the room.
It should have felt peaceful. It didn’t, far from it.
Fern stirred inside me, slow and heavy, like he had woken from a bad dream.
She’s quiet, he said.
“I know,” I answered him silently.
I pushed myself out of bed and pulled on sweatpants and a shirt. The mirror caught my reflection as I passed it. Tired eyes. Tight jaw. Alpha face locked in place even when no one was watching.
I hated that face sometimes.
I stepped into the hallway and paused, listening again. Her door was closed. No sound.
Give her s
