Chapter 9

** Ryder’s POV ** I wake up with a jolt. The weather forecast said there may be some light rain, but this sounds torrential. Paige sleeps peacefully tucked against my side, completely unbothered by the rain that pounds the tent. I can hear her soft breathing and the steady beat of her heart in her chest. Wait... how can I hear her heart? A shooting pain travels up my spine. It’s like nothing I have ever felt before. It’s intense and causes a fine sheen of sweat to cover my skin. Did I sleep with a stone digging into my spine? I gently shift Paige, not wanting to wake her, but I need to move, to stretch out my spine because this pain is getting unbearable. I unzip the door slowly and crawl from the tent with a barely contained whimper, grabbing my bundle of clothes and my boots. The pain eases as I stand straight, and I almost sag in relief. The rain that sounded so heavy inside the tent was nothing more than a light shower. It feels so good against my skin that feels like it’s on fire.