CIAN
The alarm ripped through the quiet of my study. Sharp. Piercing. I reached out and slammed my hand down on it. The sound died.
My body ached everywhere. The chair I had spent the night in was not designed for sleeping. My neck was stiff. My back protested when I tried to sit up. Every muscle felt tight and wrong.
I pushed myself to my feet. My joints cracked. The room spun for a second before settling. I rubbed my face with both hands and looked at the time. Six in the morning. The sun would be rising soon.
I walked to the door and pulled it open. The hallway was empty except for one person. Ronan was walking toward me. His steps were purposeful and as direct as the Beta he has grown to be.
"So you avoided her," he said when he reached me.
"Priorities, Ronan," I said.
He shook his head but did not argue. "A small army is ready," he said instead. "The best and most ruthless sentinels we have."
"Good."
"They are loading up the vehicles now."
