(Alina's POV)
The walls in my room felt looming over me, the air stale despite the soft breeze, the open window let in. I sat on the bed and began running my fingers up and down the frayed stitching of my dress while my mind worked out its unruly thoughts. Days had passed, each one spent within these very walls, convincing myself that this was the safest haven for me. The world outside wasn't safe; it was just so very unpredictable, full of memories I didn't want to go through.
But it wasn't helping to stay in here, either. It made me trapped, not just physically, but in every other way, my life was contracted down to this space. The only thing I had was my thoughts: dangers, spiraling thoughts, remembering me of all I'd lost.
And then there was him.
Kennedy.
There was a mate bond, te
