#Chapter 81: Bound by Blood

Lauren Pain. That was the first thing I registered. A dull, aching soreness that settled deep in my muscles like I had run a marathon, fought a war, and then been hit by a truck for good measure. My body felt...off. Like I wasn’t quite put together right, like my bones didn’t fit inside my skin properly anymore. And then I registered something else. Warmth. Steady, solid warmth pressed against my back, a heavy arm draped lazily over my waist. Steady breaths ghosted against my neck, sending a ripple of awareness through my exhausted body. Oh no. I opened my eyes and immediately regretted it. The room was dim, just the faintest slivers of moonlight filtering through the curtains, but I didn’t need full daylight to recognize where I was. Alexander’s bed. In Alexander’s room. With Alexander. And I was...oh God. I was sore. Panic surged through me as I twisted, wincing at the sharp protest of my muscles. Alexander made a noise behind me, a sleepy grunt, and I froze as