Ava's POV
I woke drenched in sweat. My throat was dry, lips cracked, and every breath felt like it scraped the inside of my lungs. The pain hadn't left. It had only changed—deeper now, like it lived in my bones.
The scent hit me before my eyes opened.
Dante.
He was here.
It was funny how he was the wolf but I could sense his presence.
My pride stirred, weak but stubborn. I should tell him to leave. I wanted to tell him to leave. But I couldn't move. My body ached for him like he was oxygen.
His voice was low, rough with emotion.
"Ava…"
I couldn't open my eyes, but I didn't need to. He sat beside me, took my hand, and the fever dulled. My skin cooled. My breathing steadied.
"You're burning up," he said softly, voice tight with worry. "You shouldn't have stayed away."
I wanted to scream at him. Curse him. Blame him for everything I didn't understand. But all I managed was a whisper.
"Don't touch me."
His jaw clenched. "Your body needs mine to stabilize. It's the bond."
"I don't care."
But I did.
God, I did.
His fingers brushed my wrist, and the fire inside me paused. It didn't vanish—but it stopped clawing through me. The bond recognized him. Welcomed him.
I hated how much I needed it.
I hated how good his touch felt.
"Just breathe," he murmured, laying a hand over my heart. "I'm here."
And for the first time in days, I slept