Claire stirred awake slowly, blinking against the soft glow of her bedside lamp. She had dozed off after the video call, still wrapped in Xander’s hoodie, the faint scent of him clinging to the fabric like a comforting embrace. A quick glance at her phone showed it was past seven. Her parents would be home soon.
She stretched, feeling surprisingly refreshed despite the emotional whirlwind of the past day. After freshening up, she settled at her desk and tackled her homework. Math equations and history notes kept her focused, but her mind kept drifting back to emerald eyes and the way Xander had held her all night. The mate bond thrummed gently in her chest—a warm, constant pull that made even simple tasks feel lighter.
By the time she finished, delicious smells were wafting up from downs
