Chapter 48: Shared Night
(Elara's POV)
His weight pressed heavily against me, his feverish skin burning through the thin fabric of my tunic. My own breathing felt shallow and uneven as I adjusted my arms to support his larger frame.
The dense silence of the makeshift shelter amplified every sound: the ragged gasp of his breath, the occasional crackle of the fire, and the torment of my heart echoing in my chest.
Rhys, the unshakable Alpha King, was collapsed against me, his towering strength reduced to vulnerability. His wolf energy, usually a force so overwhelming it felt suffocating, flickered weakly. Even weakened, though, his presence wrapped around me, commanding attention whether I wanted to give it or not.
Lumi was restless beneath my skin, her agitation mirroring my own co
