ALISTAIR
I felt Mackenzie stir beside me, and instantly, both my wolf and I were on alert. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sat up beside her. She tried to move her arms but exhaled sharply, as if even that small effort brought her pain.
"Love, open your eyes," I whispered, brushing my fingers gently over her skin. She wasn't feverish anymore—a small relief, but a relief nonetheless.
"Alistair..." she croaked, her voice dry and raw.
"I'm here," I murmured, leaning closer. I helped her sit up slowly, easing her back against the headboard with as much care as I could manage. Then I reached for the glass of water on the nightstand and brought it to her lips—parched and cracked from thirst.
Her eyes fluttered open, those familiar blue irises dulled by exhaustion. The sight of her like th
