Page 26 of Fated for Dawn

“Now that you no longer have your powers, you should be cautious,” Lucien warned Alister.

As Lucien listed ingredients for the potions he was preparing, the rest of the group lost interest and drifted into side conversations.

Suddenly, soft snoring silenced the chatter, and we all turned toward the culprit.

Alister had fallen asleep, his head resting against the back of his chair, his expression peaceful.

Rafe chuckled softly. “Looks like being human is exhausting work.”

9

Chad

Ihoisted Alister’s limp form into my arms, his head lolling against my chest. Evelyn stayed close, her hands steadying him as we navigated the hallway to his bedroom. The scent of amber clung to him, along with something else—something unfamiliar. Maybe a remnant of the Shadow Realm.

It had been a year since I last saw him. The day of the battle, when everything went from the high of victory to apocalyptic bad in the blink of an eye. My heart had been torn out that day—losing my mate and losing him. And now here he was, human, floppy, and vulnerable. You’d never guess he’d once been the night’s most feared predator.

“Careful with his head,” my little witch murmured beside me, her golden eyes reflecting the worry she always tried to hide.

I had missed her so damn much. She was my everything.

We arranged him on the bed, tucking the blankets around his body.

Alister’s head rolled to the side, his dark hair falling across his face. He looked so peaceful. So human. It was strange to see him like this.

I glanced at Evelyn, who was biting her lower lip, lost in her own thoughts.

Losing them had nearly broken me. I never wanted to feel that emptiness again. No one should take any moment for granted because they could be snatched away instantly. Every laugh, every touch, every shared silence—they were all precious. And right now, I would take full advantage of the moment.

Evelyn slid in next to him, wrapping her arms around his frame. I followed suit on the other side, pulling him in tight.

“Can…can’t breathe…” Alister’s voice rasped out, half-groan, half-complaint.

“Of course you can, drama queen,” I scoffed, ruffling his hair. “I just missed you.”

“Must you spoon me?” he retorted.

Evelyn snorted softly, her lips curving into a smile.

“Yes. I must,” I said, patting his hair. “And I’m a hellhound; we like to cuddle. Now sleep,” I told him, holding him tight.

10

Evelyn

We were all sitting in the dining room, enjoying our delicious meal and recounting our day.

“Evelyn here totally kicked Viper’s ass in tactical training,” Chad exclaimed, pointing his fork at me. “You should’ve seen the look on his face when she took him down. Priceless!”

I shrugged modestly, though a grin tugged at my lips. “Guess he needed a reminder not to underestimate me—especially after mouthing off to my friends. Though, in his defense, Rubyissometimes a little intense.”

Alister shifted in his chair beside me, an odd expression flickering across his face as he absently rubbed his stomach.

“Are you okay?” I asked, frowning.

Alister tilted his head, a confused frown creasing his brow. “I feel strange. Kind of funny?”

The table fell silent, everyone watching him.

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