AVEL
The alarm buzzed beside me, dragging me out of sleep with its persistent sound. I groaned softly, eyes fluttering open to a new day, and the first thing I saw made me forget about the annoying sound entirely.
Kai was already awake, propped up on his elbow beside me and watching me. His eyes were soft, lit by something warm, and I blinked through the haze of sleep, a groggy smile tugging on my lips at the sight of my soulmate.
“Good morning,” I rasped, my voice still thick with sleep, and he leaned in and kissed me gently, a soft press of lips that made my heart stir in my chest. His hand lingered on my cheek afterward, his thumb grazing against my skin as if he could not stop touching me.
“Why’re you looking at me like that?” I asked, squinting up at him to divert his attention a
