112

SUNDAY

Iwoke gasping for breath, heart racing, unease snaking across my spine, as I had every night since Alek went away. There was no escape from that awful moment when he stepped through the portal and left me. Not while I was awake, and certainly not in my dreams where I was forced to relive it over and over. The sharp ache in my chest came to life again every time the gateway between us snapped closed in my nightmares.

Sitting straight up in the massive bed, I reached for Kingston, desperate for his warm, comforting arms. Instead I found nothing but sheets and an empty pillow. After our shower, he’d tucked me into bed and held me until I went to sleep. Where was he now?

A vague memory flitted through my mind, Kingston leaving the comfort of our little nest, pressing a tender kiss to my temple and whispering, “I’ll be back by morning, baby. I’m going to run with Derek. My wolf needs to stretch his legs.”