Annalise’s POV

My head throbbed with pain, my legs were heavy, Each step I took felt like dragging chains across the ground. The pack stretched on endlessly, lined with pretty houses and cold-eyed people who watched us pass with their judgemental faces.

At first, I tried to match his pace. Alaric’s stride was sharp, purposeful, like a predator with no time to waste.

But my body ached as the bruises layered over my skin felt like they were on fire and exhaustion was taking over my ...