Amelia’s POV

I woke up slowly, the soft morning light leaking through the curtains and painting the room in a pale silver glow. Ryder slept beside me, one arm heavy around my waist, his breathing deep and steady. His warmth pressed against my back in a way that made everything inside me feel calm for the first time in days. The mark on my neck pulsed gently, almost like it had its own heartbeat, answering his.

For a moment, I didn’t move. I just lay there, listening to him breathe and ...