CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The air is thick with the scent of blood and pine, a dissonant perfume that clings to the back of my throat. I kneel beside Alex, whose breaths come in shallow gasps, his once vibrant blue eyes now dull with pain. The moonlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows over his brown hair, now matted with crimson. My hands are steady, paradoxically calm as I press them against the wound in his side, willing my healing power into his flesh.
"Stay with me, Alex," I whisper, more a command than a plea. His chest rises and falls unevenly, and the beast within me whimpers at the sight of his struggle. He's not just charming and attractive; he’s become a part of my soul in a way I never anticipated. "You're not leaving me, not tonight."
"His breathing's stabilizing
