( Alina's POV )
Pain. That was the first thing that greeted me when I opened my eyes. It was everywhere — a dull, throbbing ache that radiated through my body like a storm. I sucked in a sharp breath, the scent of antiseptic stinging my nose. The room was too bright, the ceiling too white, and there was a rhythmic, insistent beeping that rang somewhere to my right.
Machines. Hospital. f**k.
I groaned, turning my head to the side, and that’s when I heard his voice. Darrel. He was saying something — his voice a rough, gruff mumble that sounded closer than it should have been.
“She’s awake,” he said, and his face came into focus. Dark eyes, heavy with exhaustion and anger, staring down at me.
Then Sophie’s voice followed, soft and shaky, her smile too wide, too forced. “Welcome back, lit
